Mafia: Definitive Edition Review

Release Date: September 24, 2020
Platforms: PS4 · PC · Xbox One
Developer: Hangar 13
Publisher: 2k

Overview

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a narrative-driven action-adventure game set in the 1930s, immersing players in the rise of taxi driver-turned-mobster Tommy Angelo. As a remake of the 2002 classic, it brings the crime-ridden city of Lost Heaven to life with modern visuals and refined gameplay while telling a gripping story of loyalty, power, and betrayal within the Salieri crime family.

Story

Mafia: Definitive Edition tells the story of Tommy Angelo, a regular cab driver who gets pulled into the world of organized crime after a chance encounter with the Salieri family. As he rises through the ranks, he builds strong relationships with his fellow gangsters, but the deeper he gets, the more he starts to question the cost of his loyalty. I found the story to be a gripping and emotional journey, with well-developed characters and a classic gangster feel that really immerses you in its world. While I loved the cinematic presentation and improved dialogue, I did feel that some moments dragged a bit, and a few changes from the original might not sit well with longtime fans.

Gameplay

Mechanics: The gameplay is more structured than a typical open-world game, keeping the focus on story-driven missions rather than letting you roam freely. Driving feels authentic to the 1930s, especially with the simulation mode, while combat sticks to a simple but effective third-person cover system. It doesn’t push the genre forward, but the refined mechanics and improved shooting make it a smoother experience compared to the original. I personally enjoyed the tight, mission-focused approach, though I do wish the open world had more to do outside of the main story.
Controls: The controls are generally smooth and responsive, with tight driving mechanics and a straightforward combat system. Aiming and cover-based shooting feel solid, though some animations can make movement feel a bit stiff at times. While the controls are intuitive overall, driving takes some getting used to, especially with the more realistic handling of vintage cars.
Difficulty: Mafia offers multiple difficulty settings, letting players choose between a more casual experience or a hardcore, unforgiving challenge. On higher difficulties, enemies are more accurate and aggressive, making shootouts feel tense and tactical. Health doesn’t regenerate fully, so careful movement and cover usage are crucial for survival. I found the challenge to be fair overall, but some missions can feel punishing, especially with limited resources and tougher enemy AI.
Replayability: Mafia: Definitive Edition is a very linear game, so once I finished the main story, there wasn’t much reason to go back. The Free Ride mode lets you explore the city, but aside from some hidden collectibles and small optional objectives, there’s not a lot to do. I could see myself replaying it on a higher difficulty or in classic mode for more of a challenge, but there aren’t any branching choices or side missions to really change up the experience. While I loved the story, I do wish there was more content to keep me coming back.

Graphics

Visual Style: The game goes for a realistic visual style, capturing the look and feel of the 1930s with impressive detail. The city of Lost Heaven is beautifully recreated with period-accurate architecture, lighting, and atmospheric effects that make it feel alive. Character models and facial animations are a big step up from the original, adding more emotion to key story moments. While some textures and environmental details can look a bit dated up close, the overall presentation is visually stunning and enhances the game’s immersive storytelling.
Technical Performance: For the most part, the game runs smoothly, with a stable frame rate and sharp visuals that make the world feel immersive. I did notice some occasional frame drops during intense action scenes, but nothing that ruined the experience. There were also a few minor glitches, like NPCs acting weird or textures loading in late, but they were small and didn’t take me out of the game. While it’s not perfect, the technical performance was solid enough that I never felt distracted by any major issues.
Art Design: The art direction does an incredible job of capturing the gritty, lived-in feel of a 1930s American city. Everything from the vintage cars to the period-accurate clothing and architecture helps bring the world to life in a believable way. The lighting and weather effects, like rain-soaked streets and warm neon glows, add a cinematic touch that enhances the atmosphere. It’s clear that a lot of care went into making the world feel authentic, and that attention to detail makes exploring it even more immersive.

Sound

Soundtrack: The soundtrack does a great job of setting the tone, with a mix of jazz, swing, and orchestral pieces that fit the world perfectly. Whether I was cruising through the city or caught in a tense moment, the music always matched the scene and added to the immersion. It really helped bring the atmosphere to life and made everything feel more authentic.
Sound Effects: The sound design really stood out to me, with every little detail making the world feel more immersive. The way gunfire echoes in different areas, the rumble of old engines, and even the ambient city noises all add to the atmosphere. It’s the kind of audio work that pulls me in and makes everything feel more believable.
Voice Acting: I was really impressed with the voice acting, as every character felt authentic and well-performed. The emotions in their voices made the story more engaging, especially during key moments of tension or conflict. It made a huge difference in bringing the characters to life and keeping me invested in their journey.

Multiplayer (None)

Modes: The game does not feature a multiplayer mode. The game is designed as a single-player experience, focusing on the narrative-driven campaign.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Engaging Storytelling – The narrative is gripping from start to finish, with well-developed characters and a strong sense of atmosphere that kept me invested.
Authentic World Design – The city feels alive with its period-accurate details, from the architecture to the cars, making exploration feel immersive.
Improved Gameplay Mechanics – Compared to the original, the gunplay and driving mechanics feel much smoother and more refined, making for a better overall experience.

Cons:

Limited Open-World Activities – While the city looks great, there isn’t much to do outside of the main story, which makes the open world feel a bit empty.
Occasional Difficulty Spikes – Some missions, especially combat-heavy sections, can feel frustrating due to sudden jumps in difficulty.
Minor Technical Issues – I noticed some small bugs, like awkward NPC behavior and texture pop-ins, which didn’t ruin the experience but were still a little distracting.

Final Verdict

This game delivers a fantastic story with a rich atmosphere and strong character performances that kept me hooked from start to finish. The world feels immersive, with incredible attention to detail that makes every location feel authentic. The gameplay mechanics are improved from the original, making combat and driving feel smoother, but the limited open-world activities leave little reason to explore beyond the main story. Some difficulty spikes can be frustrating, and there are minor technical issues like occasional bugs and texture pop-ins, but they don’t ruin the experience. Despite those flaws, the gripping narrative and cinematic presentation make it an easy recommendation.

My final verdict for Mafia: Definitive Edition is 4 leaves out of 5.