8 – 8.9 (Excellent release with some minor issues).7 – 7.9 (Good game with some underdeveloped areas).6.1 – 6.9 (This is a playable game in most areas, but there’s likely one tragic flaw).5.1 – 6 (The dev team did some things correct, but there are multiple issues).4.1 – 5 (Serious issues with one or two redeeming qualities).(Review code provided by 2K Games, XB1 version reviewed) Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you love a good character study and aren't in search of gameplay mechanics that break new ground in innovation and control, this is one you should own. The story and visuals are easily the strength of the game, and the gameplay isn't flawed or repetitive enough to kill the vibe. I'm somewhere in the middle, but leaning more toward the former. If you're looking for a fully fleshed out title akin to GTA, then Mafia III could come off as a shallow release. If you approach Mafia III as an interactive journey, then you probably won't have any issue with it overall. Clay's quest for revenge is enough to keep your attention throughout. The folks in charge of the presentation, script and story have done a bang-up job. Mafia III is the video game equivalent to that analogy. That approach would have also allowed the story to shine straight through.Įver listen to a hip-hop album that is laced with incredible production, but the MC's lyrics and delivery are hit and miss? I believe that could have been captured in a stage-based format similar to what we see with Uncharted. Part of the appeal of Mafia III is its tradition-rich and highly-detailed recreation of the late 1960s vibe. The complete toolbox of options, such as wire taps, consigliere, informants and captured enemies-turned-partners makes things more complex, and dare I say crowded. The huge, sprawling world of New Bordeaux was a large undertaking by the development team, but once you progress deeper into the story and begin to have more free reign of the city, the game partially loses its way. To be honest, that’s when the game is at its best. The action is very pointed and your missions and objectives are clear. The early missions don’t feel much like an open-world adventure. The assassination of the Haitian drug lord Baka stands out to me the most, but I mostly remember the cut scenes in between the missions. Some of them are monetary, others will unlock the access to in-game perks such as: on-call arms dealers and a flunky in charge of delivering you vehicles from your garage. If you recruit or force someone to work with you, there are benefits to these partnerships. You can use tools like intel sight and other stealthy tactics to finish jobs a bit cleaner, but it's inevitable, you will ultimately have to win your share of fire fights. That can get a little repetitive, but it’s entertaining enough to keep you pushing forward and through the story–that is unless you allow yourself to be preoccupied with your increasing amount of freedom in the open world. The melee and stealth kills are pretty standard in operation, but they’re still fun to pull off.įor the most part, gun battles consist of shooting, hiding behind cover and repeating that short series of action until you've killed all the enemies. The crosshairs are a little too loose for my tastes. The returns are mixed in this regard.Īiming isn’t horrible, but it’s not ideal. Games like Mafia III need to have a stellar combat and aiming system if they are to reach classic status. Angling and fighting your way to safety, or positioning yourself for an assassination is a rewarding experience. The story is done incredibly well, but your level of appreciation for it will be based on your tastes and tolerance.Ĭlay will find himself in some pretty hairy situations with other members of organized crime and the police. I’m sure it’s the feel the developers and artists from Hangar 13 were going for when they crafted the latest version of their gangster franchise. ![]() This might sound like a slight toward the game it's anything but. You will get to know the main players thanks to the solid character development, but you may not find one you could root for without hesitation. ![]() ![]() There are no straight protagonists even Clay is an anti-hero. Racial slurs, sex talk, you name it, like Ragu, it’s in there.Īt a time where racial strife is at the forefront of the news, it’s quite possible a game with this type of content is even more eye-popping than it would be if our racial sensitivity antennas weren't as high. This is different in that it presents characters, situations and a vibe that is so realistically negative, its uncensored decadence leaves more of an imprint.
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