Mafia II: Definitive Edition

There's so much about Mafia II that feels like a relic of a bygone era.

Mafia II: Definitive Edition could have been a welcome distraction during the quieter summer months, but in its current state, it must be avoided at all costs. While its narrative and writing may still hold up 10 years later, the long, long list of technical flaws and glitches overshadows its few accomplishments. And that's all it deserves because this is the worst remaster of the PS4 generation.

Hangar 13 releases Mafia 2: Definitive Edition, collecting all the game's DLC and improving the graphics, but some aspects haven't aged well.

Whether Mafia II needed a remaster is up for debate—after all, there weren’t any major changes. While the graphics have been improved and some bugs have been fixed, quite a few remain, which is a real shame. One of the game’s greatest strengths, just like in the first installment, is its atmosphere. Vito, Joe, and the other characters are well-written, and their dialogue feels natural. The one-liners are fresh and funny. Overall, I’d say it’s a pleasant, nostalgic experience, though it may struggle to appeal to new players who are used to greater freedom and an open-world experience.

Console players wanted to get a graphically updated game with PC version features added. Instead, they received a product full of bugs and technical flaws, and PC version turned out inferior to the original in may ways. It's possible that some of the remaster's problems will be resolved in the future with patches, but it's too early to recommend Mafia 2: Definitive Edition, so it's better to wait for the sale.

No game has me feeling like a member of a mobster family, quite like Mafia II!

Mafia II: Definitive Edition is like food that is visually rated below average, but whoever dares to grab a bite, will not stop until their plate is clean.

Mafia II tells one of the best character-driven stories in all of gaming and it does so in a masterful way. Its gameplay may not deviate from genre norms yet it remains a wholly immersive and gripping tale that you'll want to see through to its jaw-dropping end.

Mafia II: Definitive Edition feels like an aged title of an earlier gaming generation, while almost perfectly capturing the feel of a mobster movie.

Sometimes good remasters do a great job to bring back memories and excelent games to modern audiences. Mafia II: Definitive Edition does not.