Like a good movie
Figures from "Mafia II", and the story has nothing to do with the first part, therefore you can not watch the game as a sequel. It tells the story of Vito Scaletta, who, more specifically as a child with the family of Sicily in the USA to Empire Bay, a fictional New York, moved to start a new life there. Due to the not very comfortable financial situation, Vito gets an early age on the straight and narrow and starts with his best friend, Joe Barbaro, a career as a shoplifter. As fate would have it, our main character is caught, but is fortunate not to have to go to prison, but will be sent in the Second World War because of his knowledge of Italian. Back home, the old worries await Vito: no coal. Worse, the family is in debt.
Mama Scaletta sends her son to work, but so really want the Junior initial Sidekick Jobs did not like and he still sees his old buddy Joe, thanks to various jobs by Mafiosi was quite wealthy, the fire is kindled in him and he doing everything possible to be included in one of the three Mafia families in the city. From here experienced Vito few eventful years of ups and downs, which leaves out nothing about the death of the mother, through jail stay, to transition wars and treachery, what a varied and exciting story consumption. Many scenes and also some of the story is reminiscent of famous films, especially fans of "The Godfather" are likely to get their costs. Similar to this strip, you also have in "Mafia II" always stay focused on the task, because it covered so many names and so many entanglements happen but that can be a bit confusing. Overall, it must be noted that the story, by the way, extends over parts of the 40s and 50s, really good if but also kept a bit short, was with her more or less open end has room for a sequel, which also comes hope because the still very sympathetic Vito wants to a more successful career than in "Mafia II", but more will not be revealed here.
Great city ... and yet so few opportunities
For those who do not already know: "Mafia II" is a third-person action game that takes place in an open world, so of course the comparison with the great is often considered "Grand Theft Auto". Empire Bay itself is really big and very nicely designed and detailed. This begins with the many brick houses, to the partially paved streets, moreover distinct seasons with wonderful summer weather or icy roads and snowed vehicles in winter. In addition, you can clearly feel the difference between the 40s and 50s, both in clothes, cars or music. In particular, the handling characteristics of the car and sometimes something annoying radio "tooting" from the 40s compared with the better vehicles and the really cool rock'n'roll / swing / blues soundtrack of 50s deserves an extra mention because they ensure that "Mafia II" a fantastic charm gets. Even the sometimes amusing drawn residents Empire Bay's help because of course, but you have to say that you do not really have the feeling of being in a 7-million-inhabitant metropolis, as indicated. In short, the ambience is right!
Unfortunately you do not get all too much of it with, what does it matter that in mainly emphasis was placed on the story "Mafia II". This is divided into 15 chapters in which you always get prescribed exactly what to do. You move Vito so to speak, only from place to place, thereby to accept or execute new missions. While there is rarely pressed for time, so you can explore the city, but it simply lacks this motivation. Vito can buy new clothes, can improve his arsenal, pimp the fleet, attacked for a few dollars shops or flog stolen vehicles, buy some food to replenish health back or just go to drink only one, this is all but too little, to deal more with the map, so you dedicated to the specified contracts. These include the usual Mafiosi transactions like money driving, beat up people, drug deals and of course dozens of shootings, which may not be varied sounds, but was yet so well integrated into the story that never get bored. Only the police have something to be involved more. The attacks mainly namely traffic offenses and rarely on your right crime. And even when Vito gets caught, put the corrupt cops is not a major obstacle.
These are probably the major differences to "GTA IV", on the one hand the few ways to waste time and money, on the other one not so monotonous feeling in the missions. "Mafia II" is played out relatively quickly, on all three levels of difficulty it takes approximately 9-13 hours. If the story ended, unfortunately, is no longer possible, on their own a little to explore the city, but you have to pay individual missions again enact. The collectable objects as search list or Playboy pin-ups are now not necessarily so motivating that you really want to play this game through again, except perhaps before release of a successor.
Looks good, sounds nice
The detailed design has already been mentioned and otherwise is "Mafia II" other Open World Games in terms of appearance in every way. Sure, a gigantic graphics should not be expected, there is already one or dirty textures and anti-aliasing is not much to see, but that's in the genre so commonplace and so also does not really bother. Much worse, there are the animations. The figures to Vito and Co. move yet extremely stiff and unrealistic, especially when Vito picks up the phone or is talking to someone who falls on the, also climbing the stairs is not exactly elegant. Partial was on animations also completely waived. So a trunk as if by magic or a doorbell opens seems to trigger by itself. This should 2010 still no more to after such a long development, easy! All the better for it are the sequences. The are a real feast for the eyes and bring us life as Mafiosi in an entertaining way closer. The setting is right. The noise of weapons and vehicles authentic sound, the soundtrack is not particularly luxurious, but adequate and, moreover, just great with about 100 songs. The German dubbing is so often a big shortcoming, not so here. Just Vito and Joe, as well as the remaining characters were eingesprochen fit, also the hard part comes jargon authentic and ridiculous at any time therefore.
Conclusion
"Mafia II" is a double-edged sword. On the one hand immersed in an interesting world with a great story and a successful missions, but on the other hand provides the game no more than a limited number of playing hours and affords moreover some minor bugs. Who goes with the expectations of the game, to keep a similar epic as the predecessor or such an extensive video game like "GTA IV" in the hands, will be sadly disappointed with "Mafia II", those who appreciate an entertaining action Laying Game, however, get exactly what you are looking for.
