Originally released in 2002, Mafia is an action-adventure game developed by Illusion Softworks. Available on a variety of platforms, including PlayStation 2 and Xbox, the PC version is widely regarded as the best, with its superior performance and graphics.
Mafia weaves a tragic story while still managing to have excellent gameplay and lots of action. The mafia makes you live the life of a mafia, but it also reminds you that crime does not pay: there are consequences for everything you do.
All the while, Mafia remains grounded in reality rather than falling into the overblown nature of similar games like Grand Theft Auto 3.
History
The mafia takes place in the fictional city of Lost Heaven during the Great Depression. Prohibition is underway and various criminal organizations are rising to take control of the city. In particular, the narrative focuses on the deeds of two mafia groups: the Salieri family and the Morello family.
You play Tommy Angelo, an ordinary taxi driver. Forced to become an escape driver for some of Salieri’s thugs, Tommy eventually finds himself joining the organization. He rises in rank as the story progresses and the player can see him progress from a partner to a trusted member of the family.
The great thing about Mafia is that it’s built around narrative. Despite being far from the first game of its kind, Mafia still tells a compelling story. Even now, nearly 20 years later, it still involves most players and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The way it does this is by focusing on a normal man. Rather than a ferocious killer or a master criminal, Tommy is just an average citizen. As a result, Mafia shows how it is possible for anyone to get sucked into crime. Only the wrong set of circumstances and a few bad decisions is all it takes to turn into a violent gangster.
Without spoiling the story too much, Mafia shows Tommy’s descent into the worst version of himself. However, he tries to teach a moral lesson without being too judgmental or overbearing. Tommy goes through an emotional arc and there is some salvation too.
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