Rating: 
Summary: The Best Game
Review: This is the best game that i have ever played!!! I bought this about a year ago for PC and the graphics had some problems with my computer but i was ble to manage and play the game. I have just bought it for playstation because the graphics are better than they would be on MY computer. The 1930s theme is really real and makes you believe that you are in NYC in the 30s eventhough they make a place called Lost Heaven. The Missons are not easy but they will keep you busy for hours at a time. This is by far much better than that of GTA 3!! This game is well worth the money!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: Yo dogz you aint a true playa until u get this game, homies. It rockz! Its straight up gangsta! yo yo yo pik it up 2day!
Rating:
Summary: Might Be One of the Best Games In the Last Decade for the PC
Review: You've seen it before, right? Every game has its own hardcore fan community that swears up and down their game is the best on the market. So when I swear up and down that Mafia is one of the best games EVER on the PC, you probably don't believe me. All I can say is it's your loss if you don't try this game. Mafia is one of those games that people play years after its release and kick themselves for not picking it up earlier. The game takes place in the days of abolition and Al Capone gangsters. The engine is a 3rd person shooter and while the game is action oriented, it has one heck of a story to go with it. The game is historically authentic with the gamer being allowed to drive a variety of classic cars as well as wield classic weapons from the days of the 1920's gangsters. There were a few missions in this game that I played at least five times just to enjoy them again. If I could compare this game to anything on the market, it would be a vastly improved Grand Theft Auto 3. Mafia is about as close as you'll ever get to playing a role as a gangster fighting against the Untouchables and you'll never forget the story and the final conclusion of this classic. If you own a console, Mafia is finally being brought to some of them but I recommend you try the PC version instead because obviously it's cheaper, but the graphics are fantastic with a good video card and the shooting mechanics are easier to control with a mouse and keyboard.
Rating:
Summary: A prototype of a 21th century game
Review: My sister's boyfriend recommended me to buy this game, and as soon as I launched the Czech version of the game - which is the version that I started with - I found it totally amazing. I am proud of my fellow Czechs who were able to construct this game - a game chosen as the best game of the year 2002 (at least in many European countries). The amount of data (contained on 3 CD's) that the creators had to put together is shocking, and initially it seemed to me that a team of 20 people would need several centuries to finish this task. Well, they used a lot of modern technology, for example a system to scan the motion of the real actors which is subsequently translated to the motion of the artificial humans, and therefore the task was doable. There are many hours of "movies" in between the different scenes, and there is a lot of audiovisual effects everywhere. The individuals in the game have pretty good artificial intelligence, and you will be impressed how realistic all these things are (unlike the cartoonish style of GTA, for example).The Lost Heaven City is a completely realistic city, designed according to the actual buildings in the New York City and Chicago of the 1930s. Everything seems to work perfectly in this city - including the gas stations, public transportation, banks, car races, ships, small airport, and so on. Imagine more than twenty squared miles of the urban architecture where everything responds in a realistic fashion, including many things that are unnecessary to fulfil the game's twenty main missions (e.g. you decide jump from the bridge in order to see the ship from another side). There are 60 different models of the cars that were carefully copied from the real cars in the 1930s (but they were renamed). All these cars respect all the laws of physics and they are described by 100 physical parameters each. If you shoot at the car (or use some explosives), it's getting destroyed in a very realistic fashion. Moreover, there are about 30 fan web sites dedicated to the game, and the people who understand computers well enough can have a lot of additional fun with modding the game - changing the cars, textures on the buildings, music, sounds, and so on. The game has a tutorial where you learn how to control Tommy (which is you). The arrow keys and other keys on the keyboard are used for motion while the mouse allows you to change the direction where you look, and this combination is very natural. You can practice as the taxi driver - you will learn geography of the Lost Heaven City after some time (the map is recommended). The main game has 20 main missions with 106 checkpoints or so where the game is saved, and afterwards you may continue with the "free ride extreme". Nevertheless, I needed about 50 hours to complete the main missions. The story seems as a good piece of literature - you are a taxi driver who accidentally becomes a member of Mafia, and you are getting increasingly difficult tasks. Well, you will have to shoot a lot of people, but from a moral perspective, I am sure that at the end you will agree that being a mafioso is not the best (and easiest) option for your life - especially because your friend will betray you, and you will have to kill him. After the war, they will kill you anyway. The game was banned in Italy for some time in 2002 because the authorities viewed it as a perfect textbook to become a criminal. The most natural audience for this game are almost definitely Americans, but the publisher company did a bad job when they promoted this game in the U.S. and the success in the U.S. was much weaker than the game's achievements in Europe. Therefore you are sort of lucky to read this review. Mafia might be the best game ever, and it is much less known in the U.S. than it should be. Don't get manipulated by advertisements of less perfect games. Buy Mafia, and you will be impressed.
Rating:
Summary: Gangland: Chicago Style
Review: Convincing graphics, interesting varied tasks, and a realistic environment to explore, make this one of the best games I've played on the PC. My own opinion is that it simply blows Grand Theft Auto out of the ballpark, but I'm sure that will be an area of debate for many gamers. PC games have story lines that leave a lot to be desired. For some reason, I found myself engaged with the plot here, not that it has all that much depth, but is seems like someone actually put an ounce of thought into it. The game has been criticized for it's slow moving vehicles, but I enjoyed the realism. These are old cars that don't run at a scale speed of 200 miles an hour. They lack the suspension of modern cars, and don't corner all that well. I found that delightful. In fact, sometimes, I wouldn't begin my mission, but instead would just go driving around the sites in some old roadster. I didn't find having to stop at red lights, or avoid speeding to be the aggravation that some of the other reviewers did. Getting caught by the cops for a minor offense makes me laugh. You don't have to go to court. You just pay the cop, who takes your money and gives you a stern lecture, in an Irish accent of course. Getting caught for a major offense isn't that much fun, though. It's basically game over.
Many years ago, I lived in Chicago, and used to ride the elevated trains. I remember the old wicker seated trolley cars also (OK so I just had my 60th birthday. Now you know). Mafia really captures the feel of riding the elevated train through the various low rent, business, and industrial areas the way I remember it. Sometimes after completing a mission, I'll just grab the train and head back home. While the train jostles down the track, I'll just take it easy, listen to the likes of Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa, and watch the City traffic pass by below. Getting on a train is a good way to shake the cops also.
My one criticism is that there is no provision to save the game. You must complete a mission, and then the game is saved for you. What really makes this frustrating is that often the beginning of a mission begins with a cut scene that lasts longer than the time it takes to get wiped out, so you have retry the mission and painfully sit through the same long cut scene over and over. I actually had to sit through one scene an estimated 20 times. While the cut scenes are pretty well done, I have no interest in watching them over and over, any more than I would go watch a Star Wars movie 3 times a day for a week. PC Gamer magazine made the same criticism, but I believe they generously understated the downside of this fault. Having said that. I'd go out and buy the game.
Rating:
Summary: Omerta: Doesn't Get Much Better Than This
Review: If you have a PC and you like action games, a good storyline, terrific presentation, great graphics, and a whole lot of bang for your buck, then you should pick up this sensational game. Mafia is the tale of Tommy Angelo, driver-turned-mafioso henchman who works for Don Salieri and his gang. Combining aspects of Grand Theft Auto III and the terrific Max Payne games, Mafia delivers an unparalleled gaming experience that shows why the PC is the best platform around for the mature gamer. The city of Lost Heaven is packed with style and substance (with nods to New York City and New Jersey), and the 1930's backdrop works perfectly. The cars, the characters, the missions, and the gunfights combine to keep you interested and wanting to come back for more. The game starts out a little slow, but once you get through the car race, the rest of the missions each become a game within itself. Assassinations, escorts, planting bombs, bootlegging, revenge...you name it. Everything involved with organized crime is represented, and represented well. The graphics are crisp, and blood flows plenty, as it should when you liquidate the members of an opposing family with a Tommy Gun in an Italian restaurant. The voice acting is superb, and the "flashback" method of explaining the story works perfectly. The sounds of the city make the entire game come alive, with each section of the bustling metropolis orchestrated to its own beat. The cars look and sound genuine, and the driving portions of the game, while sometimes tedious, are a necessity that you'll eventually come to accept and have fun with, especially when you're blowing away the windshield of your tail while hitting corners at 60 MPH in a flatbed truck! There are some knocks against the game, such as not having the ability to save whenever you want (the game autosaves during key points). This can frustrate some, since many times, a difficult gunfight that promises quick death will have to be replayed multiple times since you can't save at will. However, there is a greater satisfaction after killing your opponents since the game will usually save after a tough shooting sequence! Also, the AI in the game is rather strange. Enemies are either completely stupid or very challenging, and all-too-often, you'll find yourself shaking your head in disbelief after you find that your enemy still stands despite the point-blank blast of your pump-action shotgun. But don't be fooled: Mafia is wholeheartedly recommended. The driving/gunfight action sequences are the best in the business, and when you combine the tight storyline with the sensational mission design, you've got a game that will keep you enthralled for many nights. A great holiday gift for the adult PC gamer in your family. Omerta.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Mafia Style Game
Review: I recently purchased Mafia after downloading the demo a few days ago. The idea of being involved in the Mafia seemed like something new and exciting--indeed it is. Mafia's storyline is incredible. I haven't been this draw into a game in a very long time. I was able to easily connect with the character, and I'm having a blast every step of the way. The developers of this title have taken a lot of time to ensure the environment captures the player--30's style music, character clothing, building and street design, cars, stunning graphics, everything. It's simply captivating. From a technical aspect, there is only one thing that annoys me slightly and that's the fact that the AI could have been better as many other reviewers have mentioned. Sometimes your 'goons' get in the way, or aren't very helpful at all. While it's an annoyance, it isn't enough of one to leave a bad taste in your mouth. One of the things that I like most about this title is the challenge involved. It's fairly realistic in terms of difficulty. When you first start, missions go fairly smoothly. Later on in the game, missions become seemingly more difficult; sometimes involving 20-30 minute sessions over a series of different 'sections' to complete one mission. It's not your typical stand in one spot and blow everyone in the room away without a scratch kind of game. Your going to die. A lot. I haven't beaten Mafia yet, and I've been playing for about 16 hours or so--which I'm very happy about. I can't stand to pay money for a title that I beat in one night. All around, Mafia is definately worth the money. In may not be so great in terms of re-playability, but if your looking for a sweet title to kill a few days on, Mafia is definately a great choice. Awesome game!
Rating:
Summary: Greatest Game (Possibly Ever)
Review: I've had Mafia for a while, but i'm finally writing a review for it. I've seen the new games out that are 1 year more advanced than Mafia like Splinter Cell or Max Payne 2, but for some reason, it still seems that the graphics for Mafia are better. For the first time in a while, the in-game graphics are just as good as the cutscene graphics. And so far, no game has exceeded Mafia graphics wise. Graphics aren't the only thing that haven't been improved. Mafia has an excellent musical soundtrack with the jazz that really gives you the 30's feel. And the gameplay is great. This is pretty much the 30's version of Grand Theft Auto. Only more serious. You can't go around on rampages like in GTA, but I feel the seriousness is more appropriete for the time. Though the lasting appeal is not so great after you beat the game, it's possibly the best while it still is appealing to you. Free Ride and Free Ride Extreme don't come close to the actual game, but the actual game is enough. The storyline is the best story line for a game possibly ever. It's the story of a man named Tommy Angelo who is a mobster and is trying to get out of the business. He tells his story of how he was a normal taxi driver when he is unfortunately brought into the business. And even if you've beaten the game, you can still replay some of your missions. In conclusion, i feel Mafia is the greatest game ever made, so far. I'm interested in seeing what the companies have in store for us in the not too distant future.
Rating:
Summary: Best Game Ever
Review: Mafia is one of the finest games I have ever played, and that is a rousing reccomendation coming from someone who has been playing games for nearly a decade. Excellent, enthralling story line, never before seen realism, and incredible graphics and detail set this game apart from anything else I have ever played. Take the sheer fun style of Vice City, combine it with the plot of Goodfellas, the playibility of Halo, and the groundbreaking creativity of Metal Gear solid. When I finished this game, and that took and extremely long time due to its incredible depth, I felt like a peice of my life was forever gone.
Simply one of the greatest games ever, I can't wait for it to hit PS2 in the months to come. Whether its driving any one of the dozens of classic 30s cars, firing a tommy gun down an alley for a classic "hit" on a rival gangster, or a political assination from the top of the church tower, the game is enthralling from beginning to end. You will not be dissapointed.
Rating: 
Summary: GTA 3 ish...
Review: It's good that it's a lot like GTA 3. It also distinguishes itself from GTA 3 by its' slightly awkward controls. However, the driving dynamics are extreme. Powerful cars that feel powerful. Tiny cars that feel tiny. Outstanding design on the autos' as well. Plotline cascades throughout the game and offers up enough cutscenes and storyline updates to keep most happy. Reasonable graphics. BAD POINT : If you have a hard drive 30 gig or under, don't get this. This game is set up on a ridiculous number of disks and takes up a large amount of hard drive space. I also recommend a 12x cd-rom or faster. I ran this on an old 8x and it went into a seizure more often than my cousin after he was run over by a pickup truck. On the 12x it ran perfectly smooth. Voice over acting leaves a little to be desired. But, stil engaging enough that you wont dismiss it. Fun game with great length. Many MANY hours of fun here. Just get used to the controls.
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