Mafia II

I thoroughly enjoyed Mafia 2 while it lasted, but after completing the game in 10-11 hours there was just nothing left to do. No side-missions or collectables...

The story, the graphics, the driving mechanics, the shooting mechanics... all work well. However, once completed you are unable to go back and explore the city without reloading a previously-completed chapter. This wouldn't be too bad except your saved game then reverts back to that chapter, so you can only play subsequent chapters by playing the game through again.

Frankly, I couldn't be bothered.

I was looking forward to driving around, admiring the views, exploring the hills and areas where the story never took me, tracking down the 50 Playboy pictures (turns out you have to do that while in the storyline) etc etc, but you can't.

Perhaps the developers are relying on DLC to flesh the content out but that's not what I expect when I buy a game and, to be honest, I find it a bit offensive.

So, I recommend the game, but it may be worth waiting until the price comes down a bit or you can get one second hand. £40 for 10 hours gameplay just isn't worth it.

First thing to say is, I do like this game. Its because of this however, that its shortcomings are all the more frustrating.

You are given the impression early on that this will be an open-world game. Its not. All you can do are missions related to the story. This leads to the next problem, the missions are too short and there aren't enough of them. A lot of the time you spend in this game is just driving home so you can move on to the next part.

The gameplay itself is very good. The shooting and covering system is good though you have to be careful about where you take cover as some spots aren't always as safe as they seem, which I count as a plus point as you need learn strategise better. Driving mechanics are good in my opinion as I think they are somewhat realistic, you can't handle the cars in the game as if they are Porsches. Hand-to-hand is poor though, once you work out the system it becomes incredibly easy.

Graphically the game is good and Empire Bay is very detailed if a little, shall we say, compact. Some of the cut-scenes do look decidedly ropey however.

I finished the main story mode in two days so if you get this game, I recommend getting the collectors edition as it will add some extra longevity to the game.

All in all, a good game but it could have been so much more.

I waited for a long time for this sequel - the teasers looked great and even when I first started the game it gave me a buzz and I thought it was going to be really amazing, lovely scenery, great music, classic cars... sadly after chapter 2 it ended up being a very short linear game.

There is a vast and beautifully detailed city full of potential and I got the sense that there should have been so much more - even on a parr with or actually a lot better than GTA 4. Its as if the budget was cut half way through because even on the map legend it indicates side missions but there are not any... all way round the city when your searching for collectibles you find large areas that look like mafia compounds - there's barbers, casinos, nightclubs etc... that look like they were going to be used but have been shut up, there are even suspicious looking ramps for stunt jumps all over the place which you never need, pool tables you don't play on. There are 2 BIG areas that no missions etc ever go near. There's nothing wrong with the missions but it feels so unfinished or cut and what happened to the church covered in christmas lights from the teaser?

I would at least like some honesty from 2K because normally their games are good - this was delayed again and again and I was hoping for an open world experience that would last me at least a few weeks not 3 days (and I really stretched it out!). Why put in so much detail like car boots that open and filling up with petrol - if there was no intention of free roaming activity - Yes, you can rob a shop, but I think they intended to put in more ways for to earn money outside of story missions. It is basically a real waste of a game that could have been a massive hit and should of had us 5 starring it like mad.

If you have never played any classic PS2 open world games then this will be a fairly good game for you, but if you loved GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas or Scarface, then you will be gutted like me! Come on Next Gen game makers give us what we want... take a look at Fallout 3 and start from there.