Mafia II: Definitive Edition

  • May 18, 2020
64%
Game Brain Score Based on 17 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Mafia II: Definitive Edition Game Cover
A remastered and complete version of a divisive franchise entry that won't change anyone's mind but is well worth a replay for die-hard fans or anyone keen for a more considered crime sim
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Includes main game and all DLC releases. Part two of the Mafia crime saga – 1940’s - 50’s Empire Bay, NY Remastered in HD, live the life of a gangster during the Golden-era of organized crime. War hero Vito Scaletta becomes entangled with the mob in hopes of paying his father’s debts. Alongside his buddy Joe, Vito works to prove himself, climbing the family ladder with crimes of larger reward, s…

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

64%
Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews
atmosphere3 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Mafia II: Definitive Edition features a well-paced, engaging story reminiscent of classic crime dramas.
  • The remaster includes subtle visual updates that enhance the game's atmosphere and character models.
  • The game offers a deep catalogue of period music and some impressive action setpieces.
  • The remaster is plagued by numerous bugs and technical issues, making it feel unpolished and rushed.
  • Gameplay mechanics are outdated, with many tedious activities overshadowing the more enjoyable aspects.
  • Graphical updates are inconsistent, and the overall experience fails to justify a purchase for new players.
  • story5 mentions

    The story is set in a post-World War II Empire Bay, exploring themes of ambition and the American dream, but it suffers from clichés and a lack of depth, with many players finding the main narrative short and the missions tedious. While some appreciate the improved graphics, others criticize the gameplay mechanics and character development, noting that the overall experience feels outdated and lacks engagement. Despite these issues, a few reviewers believe the core story and gameplay still resonate after a decade.

    • “Not only because its post-World War II Empire Bay lives and breathes only to have its face driven into the dirt by enterprising individuals fixated on the American Dream, but because it’s a testament to the timeless, story-driven crime drama.”
    • “Story and gameplay still hold up a decade later; new textures look great.”
    • “The main story doesn't last long, plays like a decade-old game, and has a handful of visual hangups.”
    • “Cliched story and characters; the original game is still a bit of a mess, and the improved graphics are hit or miss.”
    • “Firefights happen only a handful of times in the whole campaign. The activities, from carrying boxes to driving under the speed limit to fist fighting with some of the worst controls known to man, occupy 99% of the game's runtime. Seriously, the plot and missions are atrocious, and characters can be more robotic in cutscenes than they were in the original version.”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the immersive atmosphere and occasional gorgeous visuals, while others criticize the inconsistent graphical updates, broken physics, and significant framerate issues. Overall, many players feel that the remaster fails to deliver a substantial improvement over the original, resulting in a disappointing experience.

    • “The immersive atmosphere, sometimes the new visuals look gorgeous.”
    • “What should have been a great return for the ten-year-old classic ends up being one of the worst remasters I've ever played, with almost no graphical updates and staggering framerate issues.”
    • “PhysX is broken; graphical updates are inconsistent.”
    • “Cliched story and characters, the original game is still a bit of a mess, and the improved graphics are hit or miss.”
  • gameplay3 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many users highlighting outdated mechanics and numerous bugs, particularly in the unpolished console port. However, some players appreciate that the core story and gameplay elements remain engaging even after a decade, complemented by improved textures.

    • “The story and gameplay still hold up a decade later, and the new textures look great.”
    • “Outdated gameplay mechanics, plenty of bugs, both old and new, unpolished and rushed console port.”
    • “Outdated gameplay mechanics, plenty of bugs, both old and new, unpolished and rushed console port.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Mafia II: Definitive Edition is hindered by numerous glitches and technical flaws that detract from its overall experience, overshadowing its strong narrative and writing. Despite its potential, these stability issues prevent it from fully realizing its "definitive" title.

    • “Mafia II: Definitive Edition may have 'definitive' in its name, but the numerous glitches that plague it really hold back what is still a good game at its core from truly earning that title.”
    • “While its narrative and writing may still hold up 10 years later, the long, long list of technical flaws and glitches overshadows its few accomplishments.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly immersive, with players noting that the new visuals are occasionally stunning and enhance the overall experience.

    • “The immersive atmosphere is captivating, and at times, the new visuals look gorgeous.”
    • “The game's atmosphere draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
    • “The haunting sound design and stunning visuals create an unforgettable atmosphere.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game is praised for its refreshing and slower-paced approach, featuring a deep catalogue of period tracks that enhance the open-world crime experience. Additionally, the subtle visual updates complement the overall presentation, making it a decent value for players, especially with generous updates for existing owners.

    • “The game features an impressively deep catalogue of period music that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The music offers a refreshing, slower-paced take on the open world crime genre.”
    • “The subtle but effective visual updates complement the fantastic soundtrack.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

64% average critic score

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