Mafia 2

When it comes to open-world gaming, few will argue against the fact that Grand Theft Auto is the bar. Because of this, many write off any game of similar ilk to be a “clone,” something that Mafia II developer 2K Czech hopes to overcome this August when they release a sequel to their 2004 hit. The game, which takes place between 1945 and 1955, was displayed at PAX East, where some sections near the middle of the game were being shown off to eager crowds. Since time was short and only a few missions were accessible, the demo was mainly on display to give gamers a brief taste and introduce them to some of the things that makes Mafia II more than a clone.

One way it sets itself apart from GTA is the era in which it takes place. Mafia II’s environments and vehicles will change with the time as the narrative progresses. Being set in an earlier time period means things are a bit different than players might expect; characters obviously don’t have access to cell phones, weapons are less accurate, and, as expected, vehicles all control like boats. That’s more a note on the realism, not a knock on the controls, since it helps build the mood and sell the 1950’s style.

Regulators… mount up!

The demo started off fairly modestly, with the game’s protagonist, Vito Scaletta, needing to help sell some bootleg cigarettes. After a short ride (that, as expected, included a number of homicides and a high-speed chase), Vito was standing in the back of a pickup truck, handing out cigarettes to anyone interested. Things turned sour quickly, however, when a rival gang showed up and demanded a cut. Before long, a firefight erupted, destroying the merchandise altogether. This prompted a short car chase that ended when the enemies disappeared, leading Vito to pull over so his business associate could phone their boss and tell him the news. All of the cut scenes that were on display looked fantastic, featuring wonderful dialog and animations. The scene in the phone booth rang reminiscent of some of the best moments from Goodfellas, proving 2K Czech’s knowledge of the source material.

After some words were exchanged, the combat moved into a warehouse, where Vito needed to march through with a number of others and take out their rivals. Using Tommy guns, pistols, and Molotov cocktails, Vito was able to make quick work of most of his foes, a task made easier thanks to a well-developed cover system.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

The combat itself isn’t as well put together as what can be found in some other third-person shooters, but it’s still competent in its own right and puts the shooting in some other open world games to shame. There was also an issue of Playboy sitting in the warehouse which, when approached, threw the issue’s centerfold on screen for all to see. There will be more than 50 issues with full centerfolds in the final version of the game, taking advantage of the M-rating while adding in some additional period-specific content.

Mafia II’s overall success will definitely rely on the story, something that can’t be assessed without playing through the whole thing. When it comes to enjoying a sandbox set in a unique environment, however, there’s little doubt that the game will supply gamers with plenty of enjoyment when it’s released on Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 3 on August 24.