We get some time in with 2K Games’ Mafia II

Mafia II is one of the many games playable at this year’s E3 conference currently being held in Los Angeles. I managed to get some hands on time with the game.

My first impression of the playable code was that is bears a stark similarity to GTA, with the primary exception being that it is set in the 1940’s. Oh, and you are part of an organised crime ring as opposed to a lone ranger with no real ties to anyone.

The gameplay that is currently on display at E3 shows off a beautifully realised open world, complete with vintage cars from the era, as well as the fashion, music and architecture that you would expect to see in a Godfather movie.  

You are immediately thrust into the story, and Mafia II looks set to carry 2K’s trademark focus on emotional engagement and story depth. After a few excellently crafted dialogue cinematic sequences, you are told to get in a car and drive to a location. Your path is shown in the minimap, indicated by a red line leading you to your objective. 

Different cars handle differently, and driving around the city of Empire Bay feels a lot like driving around any GTA city. It feels impossible to obey things like speed limits, traffic lights, and even the predetermined paths designated by roads. What results is a pretty chaotic rampage through an otherwise very believable environment.

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Massive painted Mafia II advert on the side of LA Convention Center

Once at your location, you are sent in to kill some other gangster, or something. The third person camera view and cover system is a lot like that employed in GTA IV, except better. It is easy to glide from cover to cover, and aiming and shooting will feel familiar to any seasoned third person shooter fan. Even this early build feels remarkably solid, and the visuals are noticeably above par. 

After my brief 15 minute session with Mafia II, I can safely say it has moved up a few notches on my Most Anticipated Games of 2011 list.

Mafia will be out in the US on 24 August 2010 on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

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