Is Mafia 2 really so terrible? I'm not sure if I should buy it now

I'm seeing multiple threads - even in unions - of members saying they were dissatisfied with Mafia 2.

Given this, is the game worth buying, or should I just wait for something else?

Would Mafia 2 be a bad purchase decision?

Thanks.

Mafia 2 is a good game, but if you, like me, had too much expecations due to enjoying the first game so much, you'll likely be dissapointed on some level. The game was too linear for what I was hoping for. I thought Mafia 2 > Mafia 1 for sure before it was out. Now it's Mafia 1 > Mafia 2, no doubt.

It's a great game, although I can't tell you if it's worth it's price since I played it on my sister's fiancé's steam account.

It lasts less than 10 hours though. They were very enjoyable hours, but nothing that you HAVE to experience as soon as possible. It's really up to you to see if it's worth 50 bucks.

Thanks, Litchie, bonafidetk, Mochyc, Vfanek.

You've given me some good points to ponder.:)

If you like Sandbox games and love Mob stories it is a great game. I really like it and the reviews from other sites do not do the game justice it is easily above a 8.0 IMO.

Saw my brother playing it the other day, looks pretty good.

If you like Sandbox games and love Mob stories it is a great game. I really like it and the reviews from other sites do not do the game justice it is easily above a 8.0 IMO.

Sherjas24

[QUOTE="Sherjas24"]

If you like Sandbox games and love Mob stories it is a great game. I really like it and the reviews from other sites do not do the game justice it is easily above a 8.0 IMO.

Vfanek

That explains why you can travel all around the city and do whatever the heck you want...

[QUOTE="Vfanek"][QUOTE="Sherjas24"]

If you like Sandbox games and love Mob stories it is a great game. I really like it and the reviews from other sites do not do the game justice it is easily above a 8.0 IMO.

Resistance_Kid

That explains why you can travel all around the city and do whatever the heck you want...

[QUOTE="Resistance_Kid"]

[QUOTE="Vfanek"] There's no sandbox value in Mafia 2, none at all.bonafidetk

That explains why you can travel all around the city and do whatever the heck you want...

Rob stores, kill everyone, run away from cops, sneak up on innocent civilians, eat, drive, drink, get crazy, earn as much money as possible, go on a rampage in the town center and somehow escape, collect P-Boy magazines, the list goes on.

It could just be me, I find a lot of things to do in the game.

[QUOTE="bonafidetk"][QUOTE="Resistance_Kid"]

That explains why you can travel all around the city and do whatever the heck you want...

Resistance_Kid

Rob stores, kill everyone, run away from cops, sneak up on innocent civilians, eat, drive, drink, get crazy, earn as much money as possible, go on a rampage in the town center and somehow escape, collect P-Boy magazines, the list goes on.

It could just be me, I find a lot of things to do in the game.

[QUOTE="bonafidetk"][QUOTE="Resistance_Kid"]

That explains why you can travel all around the city and do whatever the heck you want...

Resistance_Kid

Rob stores, kill everyone, run away from cops, sneak up on innocent civilians, eat, drive, drink, get crazy, earn as much money as possible, go on a rampage in the town center and somehow escape, collect P-Boy magazines, the list goes on.

It could just be me, I find a lot of things to do in the game.

[QUOTE="Resistance_Kid"]

[QUOTE="bonafidetk"] what do you consider "whatever the heck you want" to be? Because Mafia has very little to do if you decide to drive around aimlessly.Vfanek

Rob stores, kill everyone, run away from cops, sneak up on innocent civilians, eat, drive, drink, get crazy, earn as much money as possible, go on a rampage in the town center and somehow escape, collect P-Boy magazines, the list goes on.

It could just be me, I find a lot of things to do in the game.

[QUOTE="Vfanek"][QUOTE="Resistance_Kid"]

Rob stores, kill everyone, run away from cops, sneak up on innocent civilians, eat, drive, drink, get crazy, earn as much money as possible, go on a rampage in the town center and somehow escape, collect P-Boy magazines, the list goes on.

It could just be me, I find a lot of things to do in the game.

Ragingbear505

Good point. Although GTA has those clubs and bars where you can do stuff(Pool, strippers, etc.).

[QUOTE="Resistance_Kid"]

[QUOTE="bonafidetk"] what do you consider "whatever the heck you want" to be? Because Mafia has very little to do if you decide to drive around aimlessly.Vfanek

Rob stores, kill everyone, run away from cops, sneak up on innocent civilians, eat, drive, drink, get crazy, earn as much money as possible, go on a rampage in the town center and somehow escape, collect P-Boy magazines, the list goes on.

It could just be me, I find a lot of things to do in the game.

Big, Empty and Dull world? The AI is much better than in GTA IV. The police is a lot smarter as well, they won't let you go if you manage to make it to your house safely, nor would they allow you to just drive into a pay and spray and forget you even went there. There's a lot of buzz and traffic, people in the corridors of apartments, people in stores, people everywhere. Mafia II is just amazing, there's so many things that make me like it, especially the story. I LOVE mob stories :D

Mafia2 is not terrible at all..

Its a good game, just a bit short and not much to do besides the main missions.

Had a good time with a game personally, a solid 8 or 8.5/10 from me.

[QUOTE="Resistance_Kid"]

[QUOTE="bonafidetk"] what do you consider "whatever the heck you want" to be? Because Mafia has very little to do if you decide to drive around aimlessly.Vfanek

Rob stores, kill everyone, run away from cops, sneak up on innocent civilians, eat, drive, drink, get crazy, earn as much money as possible, go on a rampage in the town center and somehow escape, collect P-Boy magazines, the list goes on.

It could just be me, I find a lot of things to do in the game.

In my opinion, if you're looking for a really good open world experience, than GTA IV is the much better alternative. The character and vehicle animations are much more fluid and realistic. In Mafia II, everyone and everything moves as if its got a stiff back. Not to mention that GTA IV also has better vehicles; they're modern and faster. I played the Mafia II demo and shut it off within a few minutes.

In my opinion, if you're looking for a really good open world experience, than GTA IV is the much better alternative. The character and vehicle animations are much more fluid and realistic. In Mafia II, everyone and everything moves as if its got a stiff back. Not to mention that GTA IV also has better vehicles; they're modern and faster. I played the Mafia II demo and shut it off within a few minutes.

BluRayHiDef

Not all people like the modern day setting, especially with GTA IV. It's horrible, not because it runs bad, but the game itself is unappealing. It's the same thing all over again.

IMO the only bad thing in Mafia II is that the checkpoints are ridiculously far apart.

AND lots of people fail to realize that Mafia is story driven, while GTA IV depends more on it's sandbox elements.

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

In my opinion, if you're looking for a really good open world experience, than GTA IV is the much better alternative. The character and vehicle animations are much more fluid and realistic. In Mafia II, everyone and everything moves as if its got a stiff back. Not to mention that GTA IV also has better vehicles; they're modern and faster. I played the Mafia II demo and shut it off within a few minutes.

Resistance_Kid

Not all people like the modern day setting, especially with GTA IV. It's horrible, not because it runs bad, but the game itself is unappealing. It's the same thing all over again.

IMO the only bad thing in Mafia II is that the checkpoints are ridiculously far apart.

AND lots of people fail to realize that Mafia is story driven, while GTA IV depends more on it's sandbox elements.

Well, I always assumed that a sandbox game would depend more on its sandbox elements. Isn't the point of a sandbox style game to give the player freedom in how they play the game? Not to say that the story should be unimportant, but it shouldn't put any constraints on the sandbox aspect of the game.

This game is fun and addicting. I read all about the missing side-missions and all that, but honestly I don't care. Only thing I miss is the baseball bats :P I REALLY loved the story though, and it had plenty of shocking scenes. The ending while sad was properly fitting. Haven't bought the DLC since I heard it doesn't do anything story-wise. Hopefully more will come out that do. The game isn't that long, think I spent 12-15 hours going through normal. I took my time with everything, rushed nothing cause I was enjoying just driving around and looking at the detail of the city. Enjoying this far more than I have any GTA game. I find it more fun and just far better. Some side missions and more stuff to buy wouldn't hurt though.

The problem I think that is most glaring in the game is the driving you do so much of it that it usually takes more time then th actual mission does.

The problem I think that is most glaring in the game is the driving you do so much of it that it usually takes more time then th actual mission does.

Empirefrtw

Reminds me of Far Cry 2.

If you knew anything about this game you would know it is not meant to be a sandbox game. The developers have stated this over and over. Maybe just maybe you should read up on the game before bashing it.millerlight89

You might want to read the entire conversation/argument before you speculate on whether he thinks the game was "meant" to be a sandbox game.

The funny thing is GTA4 is the same but people praise that game for its sandbox play.Ragingbear505

It is a funny thing. I would hope most are primarily console gamers, or people who don't know much beyond the series. Even for consoles, both Fable II and Oblivion have much MUCH deeper sandboxes than GTA4 (Okay, Fable's is only slightly deeper). I can't say where you draw the line between being a true "sandbox" and just an open world where you can travel between missions, but if it weren't for the extremely large and polished story missions (and maybe the multiplayer), I doubt many could say with a straight face that GTA4 was worth the price.

With games like Oblivion, Guild Wars, Simcity, the Sims, Pirates, X3, and even Test Drive: Unlimited, GTA as a sandbox doesn't even rate. It most certainly didn't start the "Sandbox" concept, which is at least as old as PC's Elite (1984) and it has never been the strongest. I guess it's just the most popular game that isn't strictly linear, dunno.

Not to mention that GTA IV also has better vehicles; they're modern and faster.

BluRayHiDef

There is no image to express my current feelings.

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

Not to mention that GTA IV also has better vehicles; they're modern and faster.

ampiva

There is no image to express my current feelings.

You disagree? It's okay if you do. We're all entitled to our own opinions.

I loved it to death and im replaying some missions now. It also has the best soundtrack i have ever heard

The problem I think that is most glaring in the game is the driving you do so much of it that it usually takes more time then th actual mission does.

Empirefrtw

Does 8.5 sound "terrible" to you? No. Not at all.Crimsader

I know the review rating the game received, but I was wondering why so many gamers were bashing it...I held off on making a purchase decision due to what others were saying.

I don't think it's terrible but I am not satisfied with how 2K games have handled it (or 2K Czech) it's a game that isn't open sandbox but has too many similarities to an open sandbox game. It has already has a few pointless DLCs and it has one of the worst endings I've seen in many years. For me its the game I go back and look at a week after I finish and it gives me a bitter taste. Visually superb and I think the driving is great. Could have been a lot betternutcrackr

Are there any decisions to make that could change the course of the storyline?

Mafia2 is not terrible at all..

Its a good game, just a bit short and not much to do besides the main missions.

Had a good time with a game personally, a solid 8 or 8.5/10 from me.

kozzy1234

I started playing mafia 2 yesterday it is a good game and it if it short that because 2K decided not to release the full version of Mafia but they cut a lot of context that will be released as DLC! That why it is short!!

[QUOTE="nutcrackr"]I don't think it's terrible but I am not satisfied with how 2K games have handled it (or 2K Czech) it's a game that isn't open sandbox but has too many similarities to an open sandbox game. It has already has a few pointless DLCs and it has one of the worst endings I've seen in many years. For me its the game I go back and look at a week after I finish and it gives me a bitter taste. Visually superb and I think the driving is great. Could have been a lot bettertopsemag55

Are there any decisions to make that could change the course of the storyline?

No, nothing changes the storyline. There are a few very minor things that will give you one extra line of dialogue, but they aren't numerous and frankly not worth replaying for. If a character is going to live/die, he is going to live/die no matter what you do.Vfanek

Thanks, man.:)

[QUOTE="millerlight89"]If you knew anything about this game you would know it is not meant to be a sandbox game. The developers have stated this over and over. Maybe just maybe you should read up on the game before bashing it.Cobra_nVidia

You might want to read the entire conversation/argument before you speculate on whether he thinks the game was "meant" to be a sandbox game.

The funny thing is GTA4 is the same but people praise that game for its sandbox play.Ragingbear505

It is a funny thing. I would hope most are primarily console gamers, or people who don't know much beyond the series. Even for consoles, both Fable II and Oblivion have much MUCH deeper sandboxes than GTA4 (Okay, Fable's is only slightly deeper). I can't say where you draw the line between being a true "sandbox" and just an open world where you can travel between missions, but if it weren't for the extremely large and polished story missions (and maybe the multiplayer), I doubt many could say with a straight face that GTA4 was worth the price.

With games like Oblivion, Guild Wars, Simcity, the Sims, Pirates, X3, and even Test Drive: Unlimited, GTA as a sandbox doesn't even rate. It most certainly didn't start the "Sandbox" concept, which is at least as old as PC's Elite (1984) and it has never been the strongest. I guess it's just the most popular game that isn't strictly linear, dunno.

I think its unfortunate that they spent all this time and money making this amazing looking, fairly large world.....and then put almost nothing in it. I KNOW its not a sandbox game, but they should have taken a few hints from GTA and added in some side quests/activities/etc. And before anyone jumps all over me, i have played the original several times and love the game. I know Mafia is not GTA, but I still feel they could have improved the game by adding to the depth of the game.

Don't buy the game. It's only a shell of what it was suppose to be. 2k rushed it out, and now half the crap the devs were working on, isn't even in the game. The city is lifeles, there are so many missing missions. And the DLC is just made up of cut content.

Rent it on a console. DO NOT BUY.

2k doesn't deserve your money.

I think its unfortunate that they spent all this time and money making this amazing looking, fairly large world.....and then put almost nothing in it. I KNOW its not a sandbox game, but they should have taken a few hints from GTA and added in some side quests/activities/etc. And before anyone jumps all over me, i have played the original several times and love the game. I know Mafia is not GTA, but I still feel they could have improved the game by adding to the depth of the game.

mkaliaz

It had those in it actually. But the game was rushed out, and they werent finished. They put some of them back in with the DLC.

the main problem with this game is that it promised so much. and only delivered a portion of that.

http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85018

The game wasn't what Daniel Vavra wanted it to be.

I just finished writing a rather long-ish review about Mafia II on the site. You are welcome to read it, but know that it's from the point of view of someone who really, really enjoyed it. I had zero expectations, no hype at all (I'm waiting for completely different games in this period), so my vote was not influenced from other factors. I bought it out of curiosity (and of course with some positive reviews backing my decision to buy it up. Freshly released games cost too much to be bought blindly).

I think it's worth buying unless you're not into following storylines. Of course, do not expect any kind of sandbox mode. It's a railed adventure. So I also understand that it is not for everyone.

Myself, I prefer theme-park experiences over free roam and sandbox, because it adds to the quality of the narration. Another person may say that Mafia II is linear, dull, and gives no freedom to the player, thus considers it junk. It's a matter of perspective.