Mafia II: Definitive Edition Review (Imagiquation)
This would have to be my favorite of the 3. Vito Scaletta & Joe Barbaro are an effective duo. The pacing of the chapters are terrific and game play is simple yet raw, which makes it complicated at certain points as you progress. Vantage points, cover, & conserving ammunition are essential. Shops, guns, and vehicles are all elegantly designed and while I really enjoy the upgradability systems, if I had to pick something I wish they had expanded - it would be the customization. Empire Bay is beautiful and the city succeeds in subconsciously creating a false sense of nostalgia for a time and place that doesn't exist - just as it did with Lost Heaven. The payoff of the connective tissue established at the ending of M1 weaving into this installment was done brilliantly.
Grand Theft Auto: The 'original' open world sandbox, rooted in questionable realism. It's identity? A reinterpreted reflection of our society with a focal point on the illusion of the 'american dream'. Overly-heightened. Flamboyantly grounded. Gliding on the fine line between nonsensically absurd & realistically resonant. Every story is driven by complex characters bound within ridiculously intuitive mechanics, rich environments, cityscapes, and vehicles. At it's core, Grand Theft Auto is the universal story of the underdog. The ones who refuse to stay under. Who by any means overcome adversity, trial, and tribulation. Usually ending with joyrides that ascend - to close the sun.
Saints Row: Like GTA, the SR franchise is equally (if not more) self aware. It's identity? Nothing more & nothing less than a mindless parody. A parody of what? Everything. What started as a solid satire alternative rival to Rockstars behemoth of a property; Saints Row slowly morphed from a structured, somewhat respectable sandbox - into an unhinged fever dream. Ironically what initially was it's biggest strength became it's tragic downfall. Becoming a caricature of itself as the games evolved. The original two games had the potential to bloom into something significant if Volition decided nurture their consistent tone. A bit wacky no doubt, but serious enough when need-be and stakes were felt nonetheless. The intricate customization of the structure of your character & faction was something unique (and exciting) to SR. As well as building relationships and infrastructure while climbing the ranks throughout the city. All things that are present in the newer entries - only thing missing is the emphasis on a contained linear structure to the story that the original two had. I'm all for bigger sequel stakes and insane sequences but they should feel tethered to what came before. A natrual progression should be felt and seen. When you go from taking over a city to fighting an alien invasion with superpowers from the white house as the president of the united states - somethings off. A few wrong turns were taken. Off a cliff. Everything after 2 was outlandish in every way but they had their moments. Increasingly ridiculously bizarre (and honestly cringe worthy at times) but still manages to retain the mindless fun. The mindless parody.
Mafia: Not only is the Mafia franchise the most realistic of the 3 but IMO, it's also the most successful when it comes to immersion. It's identity? Realism. Mafia is driven solely by it's story. I'd argue that the period piece elements of each installment are not only one of their most important narrative devices but they're kind of unseen characters - establishing the look, feel, & framework of the protagonists lives moving forward. While Saints Row & GTA's characters usually have many gray shades layered within them - Mafia's characters on the other hand are black and white. Self accepting monsters. What separates Mafia from other similar IP's is the ever growing looming dread and brutality throughout the story. Whether it be Tommy, Joe, Vito, or Lincoln - the angels on their shoulder took vacations. Their drive is fueled by their shadow, and the warped desires it bares.
Grand Theft Auto is where I go when I want to explore.
Saints Row is where I go when I want to escape.
Mafia is where I go when I want to experience.
There's probably a better way to word that but that's the best I could convey the separation that exists between them. Mafia I's 'Lost Heaven' was based on Chicago. Mafia II's 'Empire Bay' was based on New York. Mafia III's 'New Bordeaux' was based on New Orleans. If the next one doesn't use an already established 'revamped' version of a map we're familiar with I'd love to see a city based on either Washington, DC or California.
Modern Day Mafia 4 is a no-brainer.