Mafia II
- March 22, 2011
- 2K Games
- 13h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Mafia II" is a single-player, open-world game that offers an immersive journey into the historical world of organized crime. As protagonist Vito Scaletta, players become engrossed in a compelling story of ambition, friendship, and survival in the Mafia. With its phenomenal visuals, cinematic gameplay, and intricate narrative, the game delivers a captivating experience, despite some grinding and bugs. The beautiful music and dense atmosphere further enhance this wholesome story set in a Hollywood-style Mafia world.
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- story10,973 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of Mafia II is widely praised for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, particularly the friendship between Vito Scaletta and Joe Barbaro. Set in the 1940s and 1950s, the game offers a cinematic experience reminiscent of classic mob films, though some players note that the linear structure and lack of side missions can make the open world feel empty. While the main storyline is compelling and emotional, many reviews express disappointment with the abrupt ending and the absence of free roam after completing the game. Overall, the story is considered a highlight, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.
“A fantastic adventure set between the 40s and 50s, with a story that keeps you glued to the game from beginning to end and characters that you will get attached to in a pinch.”
“The narrative also explores Vito’s personal struggles, including his relationships with his family and his best friend Joe, adding emotional depth to the story.”
“Mafia II is not just a game but a compelling experience that tells a moving story, full of emotion, betrayal, and redemption, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.”
“The story is too controlled and without options; it's a fun game, but the progress could not possibly go slower, and the story is lame.”
“The story loses its impact in the later chapters, and the ending didn’t feel as emotional or memorable as Mafia 1's definitive edition.”
“The story is mediocre, but the world it creates and its vibe are just fantastic!”
- gameplay2,349 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Mafia II has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging story and atmospheric setting while criticizing its repetitive mechanics and linear mission structure. Combat and driving mechanics are generally seen as improved from its predecessor, but some players find them frustrating and lacking depth, particularly due to the heavy emphasis on driving between missions. Overall, while the game offers a solid narrative experience, its gameplay can feel monotonous and limited compared to more open-world titles like Grand Theft Auto.
“The amazing atmosphere, memorable characters, and captivating story combined with enjoyable gameplay create a fantastic package.”
“Compelling gameplay mechanics: the gameplay in 'Mafia II' blends driving, shooting, and exploration smoothly.”
“With its powerful storytelling, historically rich setting, and solid gameplay mechanics, the game is a testament to what action-adventure titles can achieve.”
“Not even mentioning that some mission's mechanics are not really working properly, for example missions which include cars with explosives in it and you are supposed to drive them carefully, they are never exploding for any contact... at least they never did in my playtime.”
“The gameplay and even most missions are the same as in the other DLCs, except that there are occasionally proper story missions, but they are not that well made as the first one was.”
“The gameplay can get a bit dull; the world can get repetitive and lifeless; the combat is okay; the animations of the characters in the cutscenes are very dull most of the time, it is sometimes very hard to understand the emotions a character is going through.”
- graphics2,052 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Mafia II" have received widespread praise for their quality, especially considering the game was released over a decade ago. Many players note that the visuals still hold up well today, with detailed environments and character models that effectively capture the 1940s and 50s aesthetic. However, some users have reported issues with graphical glitches and crashes on modern systems, particularly when using certain graphics settings, which can detract from the overall experience.
“Graphics look great, even though the game is more than 10 years old.”
“For a game that came out in 2010, it has amazing graphics.”
“The graphics and the atmosphere of the game are great for a game released in 2010 and really make you live the atmosphere of that era in the world of mafia par excellence.”
“However, this game has its own problem on modern systems and most times it can crash a lot or the graphics can glitch.”
“I highly not recommend playing the definitive edition version, as it has a lot of bugs and performance issues and only has a few graphic improvements.”
“I would like to play the game more; the story really got to me and I thought it had potential to be better than the first part, but the crashes and random slow-motion lags or graphic bugs that eventually lead to crashes are just too much.”
- music1,436 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in Mafia II is widely praised for its authentic representation of the 1940s and 1950s, featuring a rich selection of licensed tracks that enhance the game's immersive atmosphere. Players appreciate the attention to detail, as the soundtrack evolves with the storyline, reflecting the cultural shifts of the era. While some note the limited number of radio stations and occasional repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's nostalgic charm and emotional depth.
“The soundtrack is a perfect fit for the game's setting, immersing you in the 1940s and 1950s with a fantastic selection of classic songs that enhance the overall experience.”
“The music in this game is genuinely awesome, featuring classic tunes from the era that made me want to listen to more from the individual artists.”
“The atmosphere is incredible, the voice acting is amazing, and the soundtrack is awesome, making it feel like you're living in that time.”
“Well, you do here as well, but it's all music which, frankly, hasn't exactly withstood the test of time.”
“The music is mostly the kind of doo-wop you'd expect, which, again, is thematically accurate, but not something I enjoy.”
“The driving mechanics and radio music are decent, but after driving across the city for the umpteenth time, you will soon get tired of it.”
- atmosphere748 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Mafia II" is widely praised for its authentic recreation of 1940s and 1950s America, enhanced by a carefully curated soundtrack featuring period-appropriate music, detailed city design, and immersive environmental elements. Players appreciate the game's ability to transport them into a vibrant, living world filled with memorable characters and a compelling narrative, although some note that the pacing can feel slow due to long intervals between significant events. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, making it a standout title in the crime-drama genre.
“The game does a fantastic job capturing the atmosphere of post-war America—complete with old-school jazz, classic cars, and guys wearing fedoras as if it’s not just a fashion statement but a lifestyle.”
“The atmosphere alone makes Mafia II worth playing, feeling well-grounded in its time period and greatly complemented by its radio song choices.”
“The atmosphere is incredible, the voice acting is amazing, the soundtrack is awesome, the script is great... honestly, it plays like a movie and it's well worth it.”
“Despite the captivating atmosphere and well-crafted world, the long intervals between significant events can be tiresome.”
“I've finished the game on my Xbox and despite being so hyped for all the features this game has, especially for the winter scenes, the story, the gameplay, and the atmosphere are just so bland and weak compared to the first game.”
“The only downside to this game is that the atmosphere is nowhere near the first game.”
- stability214 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various graphical glitches, particularly on modern hardware. Many players have expressed frustration over the game's inability to run smoothly, often requiring troubleshooting or resulting in lost progress due to game-breaking bugs. While some users noted that the game is still enjoyable despite these issues, the overall consensus is that the game is plagued by stability problems that significantly detract from the experience.
“Great game, excellent plot and no glitches that I encountered during the gameplay.”
“The game's extremely well optimized, too, and it runs great on my low-end laptop.”
“No glitches, hiccups or burps!”
“The amount of crashes, freezes, visual glitches, and bugs makes this a tragic experience.”
“It's a horrible made buggy mess and just blatant cash grab from new owners of the IP.”
“I can not in good faith recommend this bug-filled garbage, 3 crashes in 2 hours of play, and visual glitches so painful they are epilepsy-inducing.”
- humor201 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in Mafia II is widely praised for its clever and often dark wit, with many players highlighting the comedic dynamics between characters, particularly the humorous banter between Vito and his friend Joe. The game balances serious storytelling with lighthearted moments, making it an engaging experience filled with funny dialogues, amusing radio segments, and memorable character interactions that enhance the overall narrative. While some moments may feel corny, the humor effectively complements the game's dramatic elements, contributing to its charm and entertainment value.
“The humor is hilarious and the story and dialogues are just as good.”
“But while the game's story is serious and dramatic, there are plenty of moments of humor and wit to be found as well.”
“The chemistry between your character, Vito, and his best friend Joe is also something that pulls this game together, and is often very funny and witty to hear them banter during car rides or shoot-outs.”
“It's not funny to kill off the cool character.”
“The jokes fell flat and felt forced throughout the game.”
“I expected humor, but most of the attempts at comedy were cringeworthy.”
- optimization174 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly on low-end hardware and older systems, while others report significant bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly with the definitive edition. Many users recommend disabling certain graphical features like PhysX for better performance, as stuttering and frame drops are common, especially on newer machines. Overall, while some find it well-optimized for its age, others highlight serious shortcomings that detract from the experience.
“It is also amazingly optimized and runs well even on really outdated hardware.”
“The game's extremely well optimized, too, and it runs great on my low-end laptop.”
“Mafia II is heavily optimized and should run smoothly even on a NVIDIA GeForce 8800, it takes advantage of DirectX 11 and PhysX too.”
“I highly not recommend playing the definitive edition version, as it has a lot of bugs and performance issues and only has a few graphic improvements.”
“First and foremost, the optimization is absolutely terrible.”
“The game is infested with bugs, stutters even on a GTX 1660 Super and 10400F, PhysX is so bugged and performance eater, that it isn't even worth enabling.”
- replayability152 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits limited replayability, with many players noting that once the main story is completed, there is little incentive to revisit it. While some appreciate the strong narrative and character development, the lack of side content and open-world exploration diminishes the potential for repeated playthroughs. A few users mention that mods and DLC can enhance replay value, but the consensus is that the game feels somewhat disposable after the initial experience.
“Great characters and nearly endless replayability.”
“The sheer amount of awesome mods for Mafia 2 makes the replay value limitless as well as the DLC you can purchase for little money that extends the story further.”
“An absolute classic with a ton of replay value.”
“And ultimately, it lacks replay value and is overall somewhat disposable.”
“The huge lacking problem with the game is the lack of replayability; 2K did a good job with the main story and the game is very polished, but once you have finished the game you might as well uninstall it.”
“Once the campaign was over, there was no reason to play again and essentially no replay value.”
- emotional149 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its heartfelt narrative and character development, particularly that of Vito and his relationships, which evoke strong emotional responses. While some found the story to be deeply moving and capable of eliciting tears, others felt it lacked the emotional depth of the original Mafia game, particularly in its later chapters and ending. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to create an emotional connection with players, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and character attachment.
“The character development, especially that of Vito, is expertly handled, making players emotionally invested in the protagonist's journey.”
“The story pays homage to classic mob films with its well-crafted cutscenes, excellent pacing, and dramatic twists, creating an emotional investment in Vito's journey and the people he encounters.”
“You will find your emotions and the story are put through a rollercoaster and by the time it's all done, you will be emotionally wiped out.”
“Utterly linear story (really, really boring story, too), one-dimensional characters, horrible driving, bad graphics, and poor gunplay just make this a chore of a game with absolutely nothing good to say about it.”
“Boring story with a bunch of stupid and unrelatable characters on top of the mediocre shooter, that feels slow and methodical.”
“The open world is pointless; there is no reason I have found to explore it, just follow the missions and boring storyline.”
- grinding105 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 77 % negative mentions
The reviews consistently highlight that grinding in the game is often tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Tasks such as driving long distances, completing repetitive missions, and achieving certain objectives can feel like busywork, leading to frustration and boredom. While some players appreciate the atmosphere and story, the grinding elements are frequently criticized as a significant drawback.
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“There is no grinding and yet there is a great sense of accomplishment.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The DLCs are pretty boring, very grindy, and very frustrating as they rarely have checkpoints, making a restart a complete chore as you usually need to drive long distances before the fight.”
“Half the game is just tedious driving from place A to place B.”
- character development76 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Character development in "Mafia II" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly through the protagonist Vito Scaletta's journey in the organized crime world. Players appreciate the strong narrative, well-crafted cutscenes, and voice acting that enhance character connections, although some feel that secondary characters lack similar development. Overall, the game is recognized for its compelling storytelling and character arcs, making it a standout in the genre.
“The character development, especially that of Vito, is expertly handled, making players emotionally invested in the protagonist's journey.”
“Superb character development that makes mere pixels feel like family.”
“The character development is outstanding, the story is well put together and I really feel like the atmosphere does an excellent job of capturing the feel of that time period.”
“Most of the characters are pretty bad and lack any sort of character development.”
“From start to finish you stay just as powerless and clueless, no character development, no self-reflection, and hence, no immersion.”
“However, very narrow story line with less than expected character development.”
- monetization28 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its lack of microtransactions and feeling that it offers good value for money, while others criticize it as a cash grab, particularly regarding the "definitive edition" and additional DLCs. Players appreciate the immersive period details and collectibles, but express disappointment over the rushed development and limited post-story exploration options. Overall, the game's monetization strategy appears to be a contentious point among users.
“It's a complete entertainment for a single-player gamer, and it's a game from the era when microtransactions weren't a thing, so it felt kind of good. It's worth the money that I spent, and I made a good decision.”
“There are no microtransactions here.”
“It's a horribly made buggy mess and just a blatant cash grab from the new owners of the IP.”
“Do not get duped into buying the so-called 'definitive edition' as it is nothing more than a cash grab by those behind the idea who basically act like vultures feeding on the legacy of this great title.”
“It's quite clear this port is a rushed cash grab, and was developed specifically for consoles with PC as an afterthought.”
