DEAD RISING 2

Capcom brought Dead Rising back earlier this year with Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster earlier this year, which was a remake in nearly all but name, and we’d love for the company to do the same with Dead Rising 2. Whether or not that happens will, of course, depend entirely on whether the aforementioned Deluxe Remaster’s commercial performance matches the critical acclaim it enjoyed, but our hope is that it does, not only because it would mean more Dead Rising, but also because we’d love to play an enhanced form of Dead Rising 2, an excellent game in its own right.

Grand Theft Auto 3 

Rockstar made a big splash in the gaming industry with Grand Theft Auto 3. Thanks to the addition of a new dimension, Grand Theft Auto 3 let players loose into a virtual world that was unlike anything they had seen before. Between a great open-world and fun gameplay mechanics, Grand Theft Auto 3 tells a gangster story complete with all the betrayals and plot twists that one would expect from a story of this ilk. It has definitely aged a bit by modern standards, but there’s still a distinct charm to its world and gameplay that makes it enjoyable to this date.

Mafia Definitive Edition 

2020’s Mafia Definitive Edition soups the 2002 original with a complete reimagining of its visuals from the ground up. It tells the same story through a new lens and features the same complex characters and emotional development arcs that made us fall in love with it all in the first place. Mafia: Definitive Edition is an emotional tale of Tommy Angelo’s journey of rising through the ranks of criminal families, and the action sequences are extremely captivating which will keep you engaged for hours upon hours. 

The Warriors

Based on the 1979 film, The Warriors stands apart from the crowd of other Rockstar-developed open-worlds. And the biggest reason for that is its impressive hand-to-hand combat system that enables player expression, which is quite different from the ranged combat system that we see in games like Grand Theft Auto or Red Dead Redemption. The story also does a great job of showcasing the rivalry between gangs, and the characters are also quite memorable. It might not hold up visually, but The Warriors is definitely worth playing even after all these years.

The Getaway

It’s possible that many wouldn’t know about The Getaway, which is a shame considering it was one of the pioneers of cinematic action experiences of its time. Set against the backdrop of London, The Getaway tells a story of two characters trying to pull off dangerous heists and make it out alive against all odds. With cutting-edge animations and visuals, The Getaway is definitely one of the most impressive games on the PS2 – and it remains a must-play for anyone wanting to experience a good gangster story. 

50 Cent: Bulletproof

50 Cent: Bullet Proof is a third-person action game where the players are put in the shoes of popular rapper 50 Cent as he gets caught up in a criminal drama, and players are left to their devices to solve the mystery surrounding it all. The gameplay can be pretty clunky with aiming that’s not quite as accurate as one would like, but a soundtrack composed of 50 Cent tracks along with some remixes and instrumentals brings a fun vibe to this straightforward shooter game. It’s definitely not a perfect game by any means, but it has a distinct charm to it which makes it worth trying out.

Yakuza 0 

Ryu Ga Gotuko’s Yakuza series is most known for its densely packed open worlds, but equal attention also needs to be shed on its ability to tell surprisingly emotional stories within that format. Yakuza 0 is the first canonical game in the Kiryu saga, which makes it the perfect starting point for fans not used to the franchise. What makes Yakuza 0 so special is its ability to effortlessly switch between emotionally charged scenes and extremely eccentric moments unnoticed, and such instances can be found in abundance throughout its 20 to 30 hour run. 

True Crime: Streets of LA

Released in 2003, True Crime: Streets of LA tried to replicate the elements of Grand Theft Auto – but failed to capture the essence of what made it all so special in the first place. That being said, True Crime does manage to impress in certain aspects including but not limited to a story that changes based on your decisions and a different approach to humor in its writing. Add to that plenty of side activities, and True Crime: Streets of LA becomes a fairly fun time.

Sleeping Dogs 

United Front Games’ Sleeping Dogs might feel like a GTA clone at first glance, but when you look past that initial facade – you will notice that it’s so much more than that. As an undercover cop Wei Shen, you take up the task of bringing down the Sun On Yee gang by infiltrating them from the inside. The story juggles between the two factions, and there are plenty of interesting missions peppered throughout its world that will keep you playing right through to the end.

Mafia 2

Mafia 2 is an excellent sequel that builds upon what came before in new and interesting ways. The story related to Vito Scaletta is chock full of surprises, and the ever-shifting loyalty of important characters will keep you hooked to the edge of your seat at all times. The gameplay variety has also been improved, and while there isn’t much to do outside of sightseeing in the open world, it remains an extremely engaging experience nevertheless. 

Grand Theft Auto 5

It’s safe to say that Grand Theft Auto 5 has transcended from just a regular open-world game to a cultural behemoth, and that’s all thanks to the well-realized open-world of Los Santos. It’s well and truly a playground of possibilities, and while a lot of fun comes from just exploring its sunny beaches and lush forests – you also get a really great story about an unlikely alliance of criminals. In addition to the intriguing story of Michael, Franklin and Trevor, something that one would expect from the series, Grand Theft Auto 5 features a vast assortment of memorable heist missions with set pieces galore.

Watch_Dogs 1

While Watch Dogs was subject to plenty of controversy when it was released in 2013, it’s undeniable that it manages to do more things right than wrong. The hacking mechanics are a perfect fit for the pseudo-stealth gameplay on offer, which adds an extra layer of flexibility to the combat mechanics. Its story about exacting revenge might not be directly related to gangsters, but you will find plenty of fellow hackers that run organized crimes throughout the city to give the same shades of action as other games on this list.

Saints Row The Third 

Saints Row the Third takes place in the neon-lit city of SteelPort as they embark on an over-the-top comical adventure that stays true to its roots. The story takes you on an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that’s full of violence, bloodshed, and obscenity. The gameplay revolves around taking part in different kinds of missions and navigating the city’s underworld which is composed of different gangs and their rivalries. But what makes Saints Row the Third so special is that it doesn’t take itself seriously, which helps it stand out against the rest of its contemporaries. 

Scarface

Games that are inspired from movies tend to have a bad reputation for not standing up to player expectations, but Scarface has proven the naysayers wrong. Directly taking inspiration from the Grand Theft Auto series, Scarface presents a similar open world experience as its contemporaries, and while it doesn’t quite match the level of its aspirations, it definitely has its own charm regardless. The missions do an excellent job of recreating iconic scenes from the movie, but it also introduces a new ending to mix the pot up. It’s not without its quirks, but Scarface does provide a movie-like gangster experience and remains a must-play for people who crave action.

Driver: Parallel Lines

Driver: Parallel Lines thrusts you in the shoes of TK, a driving virtuoso who works for crime lords all while trying to make it big in a city that’s home to all sorts of shady organizations and shoddy activities. Driver: Parallel Lines meshes elements of GTA with Need for Speed, letting you blaze through an open world map filled with different kinds of side activities and points of interest. With its impressive camerawork and realistic car handling, Driver: Parallel Lines is a unique game for open-world fans who are craving to view the world of gangsters from a different angle. While the game might not be a big improvement over prior entries in the franchise, it is still a fun game for people who want to enjoy mafia games.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 tells a very unconventional gangster story. Instead of telling a tale of conquering the world, it shows the gradual descent of the Van Der Linde gang as they try to find their place in a rapidly changing America. Between an excellent cast of well-written characters that will stay with you long after the credits roll to plenty of exciting missions throughout its dozens of hours long story, Red Dead Redemption 2 is one game that’s just unmissable for anyone interested in such experiences.

Please note that these prices are US region prices sourced from Steam, and other geographical locations would obviously have different prices.

With that out of the way, let’s begin:

Just Cause 3

Avalanche Software’s Just Cause series is a literal playground of carnage and destruction, and Just Cause 3 is no different. Set against the island of Solis, players assume the role of series protagonist Rico Rodrigues as he takes on a bunch of high-stakes missions all across the map. With notable additions like weather calamities, Just Cause 3 is a worthy sequel deserving of any fan’s attention. It’s available for $20 on Steam – complete with all DLC and bonus content.

So let’s take a look at 15 of those creepy glitches here!

Broken Face Textures – Assassin’s Creed Unity

No list of glitches is complete without mentioning Assassin’s Creed Unity and it’s missing face textures. The nature of the glitch is also amazing – one instance produces only the character’s teeth and blood-shot eyes, searing into your soul. Another was suitably more terrifying with its mess of textures, eyes and teeth coalescing into what might be a smile. Thanks to the game’s problematic launch, these glitches maintain their infamy to this day.

The Definitive Edition releases for both Mafia 2 and 3 have been facing their fair share of issues, but according to their developers fixes are inbound for both. Mafia 2: Definitive Edition has specifically been criticized by many for its bugs, frame rate issues, pop-in glitches, and various other technical performances, but recently, d3t ltd, the developers of the remaster, took to Twitter to address those concerns.

In their tweet, they thanked players for their feedback, and noted that alongside 2K, they are working on supporting the release with updates and fixes, and asked players to keep reporting issues. Given the many issues that players have been facing, hopefully a patch will be inbound sooner rather than later.

As we recently reported, Mafia 3: Definitive Edition also has some baffling problems, such as removing support for Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, but that, too, is something that’s being addressed by 2K.

Mafia 2 and 3’s definitive editions are available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The Mafia 1 remake will be out for the same platforms on August 28.

Thanks for your valuable #Mafia2DefinitiveEdition feedback. We’re listening and working with 2K to continue to support your experience. Reminder, if you are experiencing any issues or have questions, please get in touch with @2KSupport. pic.twitter.com/e2Q2S6b1sS

— d3t (@d3tLtd) May 27, 2020

"Vito Scaletta’s journey as he goes from crook to war veteran to a mobster rising through the Mafia’s ranks is a riveting one. It is backed up by solid characters, sharp writing, and tightly directed cutscenes. That much was true in 2010, and it’s still true today."

A lot of time may have passed, but Mafia 2’s strengths and weaknesses feel as potent as they did a decade ago. The game’s biggest strength, in true Mafia fashion, is its story. Vito Scaletta’s journey as he goes from crook to war veteran to a mobster rising through the Mafia’s ranks is a riveting one. It is backed up by solid characters, sharp writing, and tightly directed cutscenes. That much was true in 2010, and it’s still true today, to the extent that the game is almost worth a try just for the story alone.

At about a dozen or so hours long, Mafia 2 is also the perfect length, and that length is bolstered by tight pacing. Things move quickly, and it never feels like the game lingers on any narrative beat for longer than it should. At the same time, Mafia 2 doesn’t rush things either- it takes its time to develop characters, relationships, and arcs as effectively as it should, but rarely dwells on any of it for too long. The tight pacing and accomplished storytelling encourage you to keep playing and keep going forward, even when you might start losing interest in other parts of the game.

Much like Mafia 3, however, Mafia 2’s remarkable strengths in story and storytelling are not reflected in other aspects of the game. Where its narrative is concerned, the game is a standout experience, but when you get down to actually playing through it, you can’t help but feel deflated by its terribly bland gameplay.

"Mafia 2’s remarkable strengths in story and storytelling are not reflected in other aspects of the game. Where its narrative is concerned, the game is a standout experience, but when you get down to actually playing through it, you can’t help but feel deflated by its terribly bland gameplay. "

Though Mafia 2 is set in an open world environment, it would have fared far better as a linear game. For starters, Empire Bay – its fictional recreation of 1940s and 1950s New York – is pretty small (even by 2010 standards). Its size would not have been much of an issue if Mafia 2 used that space well- but it doesn’t do that. There are very few (and very unremarkable) side activities to undertake, and the world feels static and lifeless. There are some interesting mechanics at play, such as the way it handles its wanted system, but overall, the world ends up being little more than stage dressing for the story, and for driving your vehicle to get from mission to mission.

Driving is also quite frustrating in Mafia 2. Vehicles handle like they’re made of rocks, the impacts of collisions feel disproportionate at times, and driving through its relatively small map to the same locations gets boring very quickly. The game does a good enough job of injecting the right kind of atmosphere to make its city feel like an authentic period setting, but sadly, that’s the most that can be said about its open world.

The act of playing Mafia 2 is better when you’re in the midst of its linear story-driven missions, but only slightly so. They are inherently more engaging because they’re tied to the progression of the game’s riveting story, but the fact that they all rely very heavily on bland, cursory cover shooting mechanics doesn’t do them any favours. Mafia 2 came out at a time when third person cover shooters ruled the roost in the industry, but even then, it felt like just another face in the crowd as far as its gunplay was concerned. The AI isn’t particularly smart, shots don’t land with too much impact, and about halfway through the game, all firefights start blending into one another. Other than one or two standout missions every now and then, they all end up feeling the same.

"Overall, the world ends up being little more than stage dressing for the story, and for driving your vehicle to get from mission to mission."

Mafia 2: Definitive Edition’s most disappointing aspects, however, are not flaws that the game always had- it’s that the remastering work done here is pretty disappointing. It’s the most basic of efforts. Visuals look slightly sharper, textures have a little more detail, and… and that’s pretty much it. It doesn’t feel like it’s quite enough. Beyond these cursory upgrades to the visuals, in fact, Mafia 2: Definitive Edition actually has quite a few technical issues.

For starters, the frame rate is terrible. I played on a base PS4, and the game stuttered constantly, and often stuttered hard. Frame rate dips were especially common and noticeable when I was driving around, but would frequently show up even during combat encounters. Most remasters of decade-old games are expected to improve the original game’s performance. Mafia 2: Definitive Edition actually makes it worse.

On top of that, the game is also rife with texture pop-in issues- and I don’t say “rife” lightly. Much like the frame rate dips, they’re a constant nuisance, and once again, most common when you’re driving a vehicle, from shrubs and lampposts in your immediate vicinity to buildings and structures in the distance. Add to that audio issues and the odd glitch here and there, and what you’re left with it a shoddy, messy remaster that only does the bare minimum- and doesn’t do it very well. If you really want a “definitive edition” of Mafia 2, go play the original release on PC with visual mods.

"Mafia 2: Definitive Edition’s most disappointing aspects, however, are not flaws that the game always had- it’s that the remastering work done here is pretty disappointing."

I can’t tell you that Mafia 2 is not worth your time, because even though its story is the only part of the entire game that stands out, it’s good enough that I can recommend the game to you. If you want accomplished storytelling and a riveting mobster tale, Mafia 2 will give you exactly what you’re looking for. But just as it was ten years ago, everything around that story is bland at worst, and unremarkable at best.

What’s even worse is how lazy this remaster feels- it does very little to update the visuals and actually makes the performance worse. It’s a real shame, because – at the risk of repeating myself – the story Mafia 2 tells is an excellent one, and one I think you should experience. But just as it was let down by an uninspired game around it in 2010, it’s once again let down by a lazy remaster in 2020.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 4.

Though Mafia games have typically been met with mixed reception from critics and audiences alike (with the exception of the first game), the series has been a consistently successful one for 2K Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive from a commercial standpoint. During Take-Two’s recently quarterly Q&A with investors, they confirmed that Mafia 3 has now shipped over 7 million units worldwide.

Speaking about the franchise as a whole, Take-Two president Karl Slatoff remarked that all Mafia games have sold well, before moving on to talk about the recently announced Mafia: Trilogy. In particular, he spoke about the upcoming Mafia: Definitive Edition – which is a remake of the first game in the series – and all the improvements it will be making to the first game.

“In terms of Mafia, it has been an incredibly successful franchise for us over a long period of time between Mafia 1, Mafia 2, Mafia 3,” he said. “And just to give you an idea, Mafia 3 has already sold in it’s about 7 million units or so. Mafia 2 is also incredibly successful and Mafia 1 as well. So it’s been a significant contributor for us.”

“We’re really excited about the trilogy,” he continued. “It is the same three games, but there’s obviously more improvements that are occurring with the game. Mafia 1 is going to be basically completely remade. It’s not fully remade, but there’s going to be new tech, there’s going to be new voice acting, new game-intend, gimmicks, and a lot more than that. So there is quite a bit of work that’s going into bringing up the trilogy.”

Slatoff went on to say that Mafia remains an important property for Take-Two, and that the upcoming trilogy presents a chance to draw new audiences into the franchise.

“We’ve had great success with bringing out these collections,” he said. “And again, even though they’re not brand new experiences, there’s always a new audience to catch. And then there’s always a new experience depending on the just the generation that each of those individual titles came out, where even existing fans can enjoy in a different way. So it’s been meaningful for us as a franchise. We’re really excited about the trilogy coming out.”

Mafia 2 and 3’s definitive editions are out now, while the Mafia 1 remake will be releasing in August. Meanwhile, Hangar 13 – developers of Mafia 3 (and the upcoming remake) – are also currently working on a new AAA open world IP.

During their investors Q&A, Take-Two also broadly laid out their plans for the next few years, stating that they currently plan on releasing a total of 93 games before April 2025. Read more on that through here.

After having recently teased Mafia: Trilogy, 2K Games have fully lifted the lid on it, explaining properly what each of the three games included are going to be like. Consisting of Definitive Editions for each game in the series, each part of the package is different in nature.

Mafia 2: Definitive Edition is a remaster, while Mafia 3: Definitive Edition adds 4K visuals to the game, while also coming with all add-on content. Both games are available right now. Anyone who owns the original Mafia 2 on Steam gets a free upgrade to the Definitive Edition, while anyone who owns Mafia 3 on any platform also gets a free upgrade to its ow definitive edition.

The most exciting part of the package, however, is Mafia: Definitive Edition, a complete ground-up remake of the first game in the series (as leaked recently), made in the Mafia 3 engine by Hangar 13. It features a reworked script with new dialogue, new cutscenes, expanded backstories, new gameplay sequences, new mechanics, and more.

Unlike the other two games in the collection, the Mafia 1 remake is not out now- it will release for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on August 28. Mafia 2 and 3 Definitive Editions cost $30 each (if the free upgrades mentioned above don’t apply to you, that is), while Mafia: Definitive Edition can be purchased for $40.

You can, however, also purchase all three as a single package with Mafia: Trilogy, which costs the full $60, and which will also unlock Mafia 2 and 3 for you immediately. Finally, if you own a combination of any two of those three games, you can upgrade to the full collection for a reduced price.

You can check out trailers for all three games below.

https://youtu.be/ypPHHj5eDbA

https://youtu.be/X91PvcH307E

After various leaks and teases over the last few weeks about a Mafia revival, 2K Games have officially confirmed the same with an announcement of Mafia: Trilogy. While most rumours suggested that it would be the second and third games of the series that will be getting remastered, it seems all of it is being modernized.

“Live the life of a gangster across three distinct eras of organized crime in America,” the teaser trailer’s description promises. There’s not a whole lot to dive into in the trailer, with little snippets from all three stories. Clips of remastered in-game footage are shown from Mafia 2 and 3 are shown, but the same is not true for Mafia 3. Either way, we’ll be getting full details on the collection soon, because a full reveal for it is coming next Tuesday, May 19, at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM BST.

It’s been confirmed that Mafia: Trilogy will be coming to PS4, Xbox One, and PC. An exact release date hasn’t yet been announced.

https://twitter.com/mafiagame/status/1260570564844040194

Speculation has been swirling about remasters of the Mafia games for some time now. Definitive Editions for Mafia 2 and 3 were rated about a month ago in Taiwan, and just recently, the official Mafia Twitter page saw some activity for the first time in two years, simply tweeting out the word “family”, adding even more fuel to the fire.

Now, there’s a little bit more fuel. The Twitter account has sent out another tweet (which you can see below), this time saying the word, “Power.” Meanwhile, Mafia 2: Definitive Edition has been handed an age rating for the PS4, Xbox One, and Stadia in Brazil. As the evidence continues to mount, it’s looking quite likely that an official announcement for the same is not far away.

Meanwhile, Mafia 3 developers Hangar 13 are at work on a new game. Job listings have suggested that it’s going to be a new open world AAA IP, while Take-Two Interactive said earlier in the year that more info would be revealed on the game soon- read more on that through here.

Power.

— Mafia: Trilogy (@mafiagame) May 11, 2020