Is Mafia a better PC version of GTA3? Yes and No. Yes because it has better graphics and story, no, because it is plainly put too linear.
Graphics/Sound - The sound is great, likely the best use of my Audigy 2 card so far. The graphics are both terrific and flawed, terrific because of the variety and the detail. Flawed due to the engine not as smooth as I would have expected a game of this caliber to be. Overall 8
Gameplay - Linear, where GTA3 excelled in allowing you to play the game a great deal as you wished, Mafia you don't, no chance to be part of Morello's clan, no real side missions other than the ones presented to you in a way that you feel obligated to complete them. In addition to the game being linear it has also been mostly easy, a few great missions a few frustrating missions (I have finished 15/20) but a more than a 50% share of one try missions. On the positive side I love the story, I feel much more connected to the main character and sidekicks than I ever felt in GTA3. The actual variety and play is excellent, on par with the GTA3 standard set, maybe even somewhat better because the story drives the game and makes your character more complelling to play. Overall 8
Bang for $ - After about 8 missions I was very dissappointed in the length of the game but since that point the missions have become longer and more challenging. I don't see any replay value, nor do I have any interest in playing the free ride portion of the game but for people who enjoy that stuff it will add a great deal of bang for the $. Lastly, this game was created for the PC so why did they skip what could have been a terrific multiplayer component. The possibilities are there, objective based maps where you choose either the Saleri or Morello clan to complete tasks, shootouts, whiskey runs and attempted hits as well as a laundry list of other things if I wanted to take the time. GODgames missed the boat. Overall 8
Personal View - Better than GTA3? No, better story and graphics but gameplay is linear and not anymore difficult than GTA3. I usually don't give a darn about a MP component but this game, like GTA3, certainly screams multiplayer so I find myself dissappointed that it is missing. I was ultimately upset that the game doesn't run better on my machine, it takes away from the immersion when the game chugs along in slomo when you know it shouldn't be because at time the game runs wonderfully, maybe it is my PC, maybe a combo of the video card sound card chipset and processor but still it slowly has gotten under my skin and bothers me. Overall 8
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