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[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

Having just finished Mafia: The Old Country I wanted more, so I picked up Mafia III: Definitive Edition on Amazon for $5.99 as a digital code.

When the game launched in 2016, I dropped it early. The opening felt disjointed and I never pushed past those first chapters. Coming back now, I see it differently.

The game has flaws. I'm still early (less than 5 hours) so mission reptition hasn't hit yet, and some systems show their age, especially when compared to a newer implementation like the weapon wheel appearing in the lower left of the screen versus a complete screen overlay. But as a whole it holds up and offers more than it was ever given credit for.

New Bordeaux still looks great ten years later. The atmosphere is rich, the soundtrack is perfectly chosen, and the story is rooted in its era with characters that carry weight. It also does not shy away from dealing with race and the realities of the late 1960s, which may have been part of why it was dismissed at the time. Was it open world fatigue, or was it discomfort with a Black protagonist in that setting?

What makes it stand out are the details. The collectibles like the playboy mags, the mood, the way everything ties together. It's dripping with style.

Now that I have finished The Old Country and can view the series as a quadrilogy, I think this entry is something special. Each has its own identity, and 3 deserves to be remembered as an essential part of that story.

Anyone else revisited it after 'The Old Country?'

 

[Lokaum D+]

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

 

[Lokaum D+]

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

 

[Mister Wolf]

Enjoyed my time with it. Didn't bother doing much of the mundane side content so the game didn't wear out it's welcome.

 

[Arsic]

How does this game stack up to old country in terms of an unpredictable story, bloated middle, or better gameplay especially for combat?

I'm unsure which Mafia game has the best story that isn't predictable or a tight combat.

 

[Lokaum D+]

 

[forsakkenSoul]

Mafia 3 I found to be an average game. It's not as good as Mafia 2 and it doesn't come close to the fantastic Mafia 1 DE, but it's not an extremely bad game either. The biggest issue I had with it back then was some bugs here and there and the dumb AI.

 

[semiconscious]

one of my favorite ps4 games (along with mad max, another game with a high 60's metascore). love everything about the game: the atmosphere, the story, the characters, the music, & the dlcs are great, as well. lincoln's a great protagonist, & john donovan's pretty ingenious:



what can i say? i might not know games, but i know what i like...

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

How does this game stack up to old country in terms of an unpredictable story, bloated middle, or better gameplay especially for combat?

I'm unsure which Mafia game has the best story that isn't predictable or a tight combat.

I'm five hours in and never made it past the heist in the introductory section, the first time I tried it, but so far the story has been very entertaining. I don't want to spoil anything but I didn't see the initial twist, which sets the whole narrative in motion, coming.

It's very much a different kind of Mafia game, but it has all the callbacks to the original two. The combat feels same-ish compared to The Old Country? There's more variety in weapons, ways to fight, and of course no knife fights, at least not yet.

Really liking it.

 

[NeverYouMind]

It has its moments but there is a half-ass implementation of many elements. The lighting, particle effects, reflections, post-processing effects, and skybox are embarrassing for a game of this storied franchise. It also made driving a chore which is a shame because the radio soundtrack is amazing. The combat received a few improvements but it was not good enough to be a selling point. It felt mundane after the epic crime fantasy experiences of its predecessors and its scope was too ambitious for the studio that made it.

 

[Xbox 360 slim]

Tried to like this game, gameplay loop is awful.

 

[March Climber]

The atmosphere is rich, the soundtrack is perfectly chosen, and the story is rooted in its era with characters that carry weight. It also does not shy away from dealing with race and the realities of the late 1960s, which may have been part of why it was dismissed at the time. Was it open world fatigue, or was it discomfort with a Black protagonist in that setting?

What makes it stand out are the details. The collectibles like the playboy mags, the mood, the way everything ties together. It's dripping with style.

It was unapologetically committed to it's vision (which included the uncomfortable topics), which is why conceptually the game is great.

Thankfully it released before our current times so that this aspect is appreciated instead of reviled.

Shame about the gameplay, but I understand why you are liking it from it's other aspects.

 

[Revolutionary]

Nah. Started playing it for the first time a few months ago and it's not a good game. The enemy AI is some of the worst I've ever seen.

I'm at the point where I'm forcing myself to finish it. Just one district left... ugh

 

[flying_sq]

It took me about 5 or 6 years to play through it in chunks but I enjoyed it. Definitely didn't keep my attention the way 1 and 2 did, but I harshly judged it when it was announced. Played through all of it and the DLC, did most of the side stuff. Obviously collected all of the playboys.

 

[Metnut]

From what I've read the game has a ton of good things to offer but it's hidden behind a grindy mission structure that wasted at least a dozen or so hours of players' time.

I'm a console guy but this seems like a tailor made case for a PC mod to skip the shit and let us play the good stuff.

 

[March Climber]

From what I've read the game has a ton of good things to offer but it's hidden behind a grindy mission structure that wasted at least a dozen or so hours of players' time.

I'm a console guy but this seems like a tailor made case for a PC mod to skip the shit and let us play the good stuff.

It's the Final Fantasy 16 conundrum.

A lot of grindy games would go up a full letter grade/number score if they had simply not dragged things out.

FF16 on playthrough 2 felt like the more correctly paced experience.

 

[Larxia]

Mafia 3 has amazing qualities.
To me it has the best atmosphere, story, characters, soundtrack etc in the series.
If it wasn't for the awful repetitive "side" missions, it would be an amazing game. Sadly the repetitive design really, really hurts the game.

My advice would be to NEVER do any side content when you're not forced to, really, never. You will be FORCED to do it later to get enough money to unlock the next main story missions, it's mandatory, and this is the biggest problem with this game. Unlike many other open worlds which also have bloat, this game forces the bloat on you to progress through the story.

Avoid them as much as you can, only do them when required, and the pain will be lowered.

I know I sound quite negative, but that's because this specific element can really ruin the game. Other than that, it's my favorite episode on some of the other aspects.

Thankfully it released before our current times so that this aspect is appreciated instead of reviled.

The difference is that compared to many virtue signaling games / movies, the writing is actually great here.
However, you are right nonetheless, if it released today, some of the themes in the game might have been received negatively.

This is something I always said about medias and people trying too much to push ideologies, they will end up hurting their cause much more than actually doing any good, because people (myself included) will be very cautious when seeing such themes now, because of how forced, pushed, and badly treated they have been for the past decade. Nowadays, it's hard to trust pieces focusing on some social issues, because you never know if the original intention is honest or if it's just dumb propaganda. The past decade really ruined a lot of things.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

I just played it before Mafia the old country. I used a mod mentioned on here that cuts out a lot of the bloat and it still felt too bloated. But it was at least tolerable for the story.

It also just didn't really feel like a mafia story to me. More just like a veteran revenge story. The 3 expansions are the best parts. Definitely play those. It was worth playing though.

 

[Kacho]

This is something I always said about medias and people trying too much to push ideologies, they will end up hurting their cause much more than actually doing any good, because people (myself included) will be very cautious when seeing such themes now, because of how forced, pushed, and badly treated they have been for the past decade. Nowadays, it's hard to trust pieces focusing on some social issues, because you never know if the original intention is honest or if it's just dumb propaganda. The past decade really ruined a lot of things.

Yep. I wouldn't expect a modern team to do it right. They tend to lack subtlety. It would be preachy and too on the nose, which is never good for a serious topic.

Anyway, I like Mafia 3. It deserves shit for the bugs and performance issues, but I can forgive the gameplay drawbacks. It was one of those AA games that really wanted to be AAA. Similar to Mad Max.

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

It also just didn't really feel like a mafia story to me. More just like a veteran revenge story. The 3 expansions are the best parts. Definitely play those. It was worth playing though.

Agreed.

I can see shat worked against this game is that it's really a Mafia adjacent game.

It's great for what it is but if you came in expecting more of the same from the previous two (and why wouldn't you) then you'd probably be disappointed, but the concept is brilliant, really. A story about the Mafia but not putting the Family at the center.

What's jarring is the extreme opposite Hangar 13 went with 'The Old Country,' but I suspect that had more to do with directive than creative choice. New Bordeaux's open world is really well done.

 

[March Climber]

This is something I always said about medias and people trying too much to push ideologies, they will end up hurting their cause much more than actually doing any good, because people (myself included) will be very cautious when seeing such themes now, because of how forced, pushed, and badly treated they have been for the past decade. Nowadays, it's hard to trust pieces focusing on some social issues, because you never know if the original intention is honest or if it's just dumb propaganda. The past decade really ruined a lot of things.

And the best way to approach this is on a case by case basis. Too many people will paint with a broad brush stroke and good games that aren't involved in these types of things are suddenly brought into a culture war discussion. I think we can both agree this game would have easily been a casualty of that if it had released today.

 

[ValiantInstance]

Mafia 2
Mafia 1
Old Country



Mafia 3

 

[RavageX]

Yep. I wouldn't expect a modern team to do it right. They tend to lack subtlety. It would be preachy and too on the nose, which is never good for a serious topic.

Anyway, I like Mafia 3. It deserves shit for the bugs and performance issues, but I can forgive the gameplay drawbacks. It was one of those AA games that really wanted to be AAA. Similar to Mad Max.

I really, really wanted to like Mad Max. I did like the combat...the melee combat, not really the car stuff. It just couldn't keep me hooked. I still try it from time to time.

 

[March Climber]

I really, really wanted to like Mad Max. I did like the combat...the melee combat, not really the car stuff. It just couldn't keep me hooked. I still try it from time to time.

Don't feel bad about this. I beat Mad Max and feel the same way. It is an Ubisoft-style experience through and through, that extremely overstays it's welcome. By the time I had completed the game I never wanted to go back to it, and that's exactly how I feel about quite a few Ubisoft open world games.

I'm not saying it's a bad game, just like I don't think Ubisoft games are necessarily bad games. It's just an Ubisoft experience

 

[Karim]

Game has a lot of flaws but the most annoying to me is the narrative replaced to a mockumentary type. What an idiotic decision, this kinda of story would have been miles better with the classic movie style structure of the series.

 

[Karim]

one of my favorite ps360 games (along with mad max, another game with a high 60's metascore). love everything about the game: the atmosphere, the story, the characters, the music, & the dlcs are great, as well. lincoln's a great protagonist, & john donovan's pretty ingenious:



what can i say? i might not know games, but i know what i like...

favourite ps360 games with Mad Max wut

 

[wipeout364]

I thought it was great. I went in not liking the main character not being Italian in a Mafia game but Clay ( I think that was his name) won me over. Really had a great time with the game loved the soundtrack as well.

Just to be clear it's not the greatest game ever made. I would not rank it even in the top ten third person open world games; but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who has any nostalgia for the sixties, the bayou and likes open world games like GTA.

 

[DirtInUrEye]

Isn't III the one where a mod is highly recommended which allows players to bypass the grind gating side missions and just focus on the main storyline, which is supposed to be good? I've been meaning to try it sometime.

 

[Critical Hit]

Isn't III the one where a mod is highly recommended which allows players to bypass the grind gating side missions and just focus on the main storyline, which is supposed to be good? I've been meaning to try it sometime.

Yeah, that's the one. I also heard that the both DLCs are good and make the M3 a better game overall.

 

[SRTtoZ]

My biggest annoyance is how Mafia 2 and 3 are titled "definitive edition" when there's nothing "definitive" about them. Mafia 2 runs at 30fps on console and idk what resolution but it's nothing impressive. What a lazy ass 'definitive edition'. Same goes for Mafia 3. Nothing different than the base games that were made for those systems!!!!!!! You'd think they would have upressed them, unlocked the framerate and added some new stuff but nope. Super lazy port just so they could include it in the "definitive trilogy". It's a shame too because Mafia 1 Remake was awesome and worthy of a definitive title or whatever. The other 2 games? While being "GOOD" games, they aren't definitive. Ok, ill stop saying definitive now lol.

PS: I sort of forgive them b/c Mafia The Old Country is an amazing game and one of the best singleplayer games I've ever played story wise. Give us a PROPER definitive edition of Mafia 2-3. Actually, they should go back and unlock Mafia 1 remake so it runs at 60+, and do the same and polish Mafia 2-3 a bit with a nice patch. I think that would help shine some light on the Old country as well and maybe help market the game a bit more. .

 

[winjer]

I played for 4 hours. It started really strong, with good setting, characters and story.
But then it devolved into a repetitive grind, made with no effort and no talent.

 

[IAmRei]

the gameplay might boring, but the open world is fine IMO, at least I can strolling around walking to enjoy the visual.

 

[Humdinger]

Having just finished Mafia: The Old Country I wanted more, so I picked up Mafia III: Definitive Edition on Amazon for $5.99 as a digital code.

When the game launched in 2016, I dropped it early. The opening felt disjointed and I never pushed past those first chapters. Coming back now, I see it differently.

The game has flaws. I'm still early (less than 5 hours) so mission reptition hasn't hit yet, and some systems show their age, especially when compared to a newer implementation like the weapon wheel appearing in the lower left of the screen versus a complete screen overlay. But as a whole it holds up and offers more than it was ever given credit for.

New Bordeaux still looks great ten years later. The atmosphere is rich, the soundtrack is perfectly chosen, and the story is rooted in its era with characters that carry weight. It also does not shy away from dealing with race and the realities of the late 1960s, which may have been part of why it was dismissed at the time. Was it open world fatigue, or was it discomfort with a Black protagonist in that setting?

What makes it stand out are the details. The collectibles like the playboy mags, the mood, the way everything ties together. It's dripping with style.

Now that I have finished The Old Country and can view the series as a quadrilogy, I think this entry is something special. Each has its own identity, and 3 deserves to be remembered as an essential part of that story.

Anyone else revisited it after 'The Old Country?'

Yup. I just re-started it today, right after finishing The Old Country.

I'd tried it before, a couple years ago. It felt "disjointed," like you said. I stopped after about an hour or two.

I'm liking the replay so far. Only 2 hours in.

I like how Lincoln can pound people into the dirt.

The setting feels authentic. They sure do environments well.

 

[Sticks]

Gonna give it a try again after OC

 

[Major Insano]

I had a lot of fun with Mafia 3 DE. The story told through cut-scenes and flashbacks was great. Civil rights era Vietnam/CIA/police corruption all done really well imo.
Some of the best licensed music in a game ever.

Combat was a bit janky and too many tedious filler quests, but the DLC was great.

Really liked renovating the bar. Loved Roxy(and her little truck)

 

[VulcanRaven]

Its not as good as Mafia 2 but I liked it. I still need to finish it though.

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

Really enjoying it.

The melee combat is way more engaging than any of the other entries. Lincoln is a fucking tank.

The story and dialogue are top notch. It's a cross between 'I'm Gonna Get You Sucka', 'The Departed', and ''Goodfellas', and I mean that in the best way possible.

Spending a lot of time driving and listening to tunes. The world is extremely well realized.

On to the bullshit...I broke up a prostitution ring as an aside and then the contact needed me to kill the racket Leader, Merle. It was the exact same mission as the racket bust down. Still fun, but it's becoming easier to see how it would get the bad rap for repetitivness.

Since that I'm going into the game knowing to avoid that type of side content, I'm hoping to avoid any sort of fatigue from it. I understand some of it is forced.

Nevertheless, Hangar 13 is a really talented group. Hopefully their next game takes more inspiration for it's open world from than this one, rather than 'The Old Country'.

 

[Humdinger]

My advice would be to NEVER do any side content when you're not forced to, really, never.

Good advice, thanks.

You will be FORCED to do it later to get enough money to unlock the next main story missions, it's mandatory, and this is the biggest problem with this game. Unlike many other open worlds which also have bloat, this game forces the bloat on you to progress through the story.

Avoid them as much as you can, only do them when required, and the pain will be lowered.

I know I sound quite negative, but that's because this specific element can really ruin the game.

All right. Thanks.

The melee combat is way more engaging than any of the other entries. Lincoln is a fucking tank.

Agreed!

The story and dialogue are top notch. It's a cross between 'I'm Gonna Get You Sucka', 'The Departed', and ''Goodfellas', and I mean that in the best way possible.

Spending a lot of time driving and listening to tunes. The world is extremely well realized.

Yes, it is.

Since that I'm going into the game knowing to avoid that type of side content, I'm hoping to avoid any sort of fatigue from it.

Yeah - avoid all side content you can avoid. Some is forced.

 

[hououinkyouma00]

This.

>Louisiana
>Open World
>Over 2x as long as previous titles
>Dropped the Italian American Mob/Cosa Nostra vibes

Louisiana and the American South (east of Texas) in general is a huge turn off for me already, then when we add on unnecessary length and open world it gets worse. I'm also a huge fan of the vibe of the older games and stuff like the Godfather so Mafia III is about as uninteresting as it gets for me.

 

[ReBurn]

Mafia III: DE is one of my favorite games to come out of last gen. The story is so engaging.

 

[The Dead Flag Blues]

Mafia 3 and Watch Dogs are the only two games I've regretted buying at launch. Never finished either of them.

 

[semiconscious]

favourite ps360 games with Mad Max wut

shit! you're right!...

 

[Karim]

Mafia 3 and Watch Dogs are the only two games I've regretted buying at launch. Never finished either of them.

The first Watch Dogs wasn't absolutely that bad .... at the time.

 

[NeverYouMind]

The first Watch Dogs wasn't absolutely that bad .... at the time.

It is cool in the current year and the best entry in its franchise. Marketing built up unrealistic expectations and it had some really weird voluntary crippling of fidelity in original ports to make them on par in some regards but to also make them stand out in other aspects.

 

[calico]

 

[xVodevil]

I guess I'm gonna play this one too, got it on Steam for a while now but wasn't interested at all.. but now I still got to scratch that Mafia itch after Old Country anyway, also planning to replay 2 after this.

 

[TVexperto]

Whats the name of the mod that removes the bloat stuff?

 

[TintoConCasera]

Bathroom, NOW