Mafia: Definitive Edition Reviews
Telegraphed game design turns Mafia: Definitive Edition, once a subversive classic, into just another by-the-numbers cover shooter.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is tedious enough as it is by 2020 standards. Clunky gunplay and lousy vehicle handling make the shootouts as frustrating as the getaway drive. The promising setup can’t avoid getting whacked either as it disappoints through its inability to meaningfully execute on its multiple beats. The talented cast and better realized 1930s world outdo its 2002 counterpart, but the rest of its blunders come together and result in an offer that’s relatively easy to refuse.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is a beautiful retelling of a cult classic, but struggles to stand on its own against a game market that's left it behind.
Faithful almost to a fault, Hangar 13's remake puts a glossy finish on a title that is fundamentally musty by contemporary standards
Mafia: Definitive Edition is a fresh coat of paint on a bygone era, adding flashy graphics to gameplay mechanics that definitely could have used the same overhaul. While it's clear that the publishers of the game recognized the limitations of the remake by employing a reduced price overall, this is one case where I imagine a remake of the mechanics and story would have taken the game to new heights and made this a more fulfilling experience.
Like Mafia 3, Mafia: Definitive Edition is a game that works as a good movie. It's not a game that works as a good *game*. It's buggy, it's clunky, and is often just frustrating or unsatisfying. Hopefully, Hanger 13 is able to learn more lessons from this game because I'm not sure a fourth Mafia game can survive this sort of treatment.
This is a gripping tale of crime families, sharp shooting and sharper suits – but has this remaster lost some of Mafia's charm?
Dated gameplay drags down this impressive remake of an 18-year-old classic.
Mafia Definitive Edition puts a nice graphical coat of paint on a dated, yet much-loved classic. However, while the story and characters are just as good if not better than the original, its gameplay mechanics fall short and performance even shorter.
Hangar 13 has indisputably made Mafia Definitive Edition exactly the remake it had to be in order to entertain and at the same time not to disrespectfully alienate the clearly outdated original. The narrative approach is based on the right set screws, in order to bring the action adventure into the modern age. Thanks to the expanded character profiles, the successful voice recordings and the impressive visuals, the narrative gains additional emotionality and presents you with a rousing story-focused mafia adventure that is unlike any other. At the same time, the new edition has to struggle with the complex, limited game elements. Hakeliges Gunplay, the strongly linear level structures as well as the partly not flawless technical implementation show that Hangar 13 did not yet want to take the leap into modern times. Even though Mafia Definitive Edition never met the multi-layered shooter standard, the game with its consistent simplicity feels coherent enough to entertain during the almost 10-hour campaign. In combination with the difficult setting options, the remake is the perfect snack for the nostalgia-bright players and those who want to become one in the future.
Review in German | Read full review
Overall, Mafia: Definitive Edition really is a fantastic update to Mafia, foils and all.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is a memorable and excellent story that does justice to both its original groundbreaking title and the movies it is paying homage to. The character and story of protagonist Tommy Angelo is one that is easy to get invested in and this world of Lost Heaven exudes the charm and atmosphere of 1930s New York. Excellent pacing and plot over the course of 10-12 hours mean it will keep anyone hooked. That said, it feels like a game pushing this hardware to its limit and the limitations do catch up with it in a lot of ways. Anyone who has a PC capable of playing the game would be well advised to maybe opt for that platform. Additionally, some unnecessary bugs and controls that can be difficult on a console controller sour the experience somewhat. However, there are not many alternative titles of this genre and Mafia: Definitive Edition certainly delivers a rip-roaring tale for those who wish to experience it.
For those interested in the story elements and the classic atmosphere, I advise them to give the game a try, but if your interest is only the gameplay, then other open world games might be more fun for you.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
The Mafia franchise again presents one of the medium's best-written stories, though the series still stumbles on building something special around that story.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is crying out for a stronger hand at the wheel and a deeper rethink, for in its current state, it's oblivious of the fact that it's been 18 years since the original. That's a long time for any piece of entertainment, more so in video gaming, and Mafia: Definitive Edition is a long way from what it needed to be.
Mafia: Definitive Edition's gorgeous open world is weakened by its mediocre campaign and flat combat mechanics.
Hanger 13 has crafted a gorgeous remake of an action classic, but the picturesque city of Lost Heaven and the characters that call it home are sadly lacking in substance, resulting in an adventure that could have been so much more.
Especially if you know and love the original game, Mafia Definitive Edition is pure joy. We follow the adventures of Tommy Angelo like we would follow those of a character of a good move form Coppola. Beyond nostalgia, we take part in a wonderful ganster story. Despite every issue the game suffers at the moment (random freezes, crashes...) and some terrible optimizations on PC and PS4, it's still a captivating game, but it's hard to ignore its flaws.
Review in French | Read full review
Mafia: Definitive Edition is a curiosity. Newcomers to the game will find here a soft landing via a strong narrative and gameplay that will readily welcome them. Meanwhile, veterans will find enough changes to make another visit to Lost Heaven worth their while, though whether they will be pleased with the modernization is a separate question entirely. With one eye on the past and one on the present, Mafia: Definitive Edition is less dated than Destroy All Humans!, though it never feels as distinctive or necessary as Resident Evil 2. Whether that’s enough to coax you back will be up to you.