Review: ‘Mafia II’ a hit with its attention to detail

“Mafia II” is not an open-world game. It may look like one. (Empire Bay is a big place.) It may feel like one. (Players have the ability to go anywhere.) It may echo similar themes. (Open world games tend to deal with organized crime.) But if gamers believe they can run around accepting missions from random characters and wreaking havoc, they’re sorely mistaken.

At its core, “Mafia II” is a linear crime drama that happens to use a full city as its setting and prizes realism over cartoonish violence. Developer 2K Czech creates a period piece that’s so beautiful and detailed that players feel as though they should be an actor in it instead of a loose cannon. Acting like someone other than protagonist Vito Scaletta ruins the illusion the game creates.

As a World War II soldier with a criminal past, Vito returns from the front trying to be an honest man. Like his old man, he takes a job as a dock worker. He tries to do right by his sister, paying off a loan that his father took out. But quickly, Vito discovers that he’s not fit for a normal nine-to-five job.

He ends up hanging out with Joe Barbaro, an old friend who ended up as a tough for one of the three crime families. That’s how he ends up in a line of work that includes assassinations, intimidation and thuggery. Make no mistake about it, Vito isn’t a nice guy — he’s a wiseguy. He’s someone with a sense of responsibility but questionable morals.

“Mafia II” follows his journey through that criminal underworld through 15 chapters. 2K Czech does a great job letting the story dictate the mission designs. Players will be setting up bombs in high rises or rescuing allies from a slaughterhouse. In between, they’ll be collecting Playboy magazines and wanted posters.

All of this is done with a serious tone, but the campaign does have moments of levity inspired by Joe’s extreme personality. He’s Tony Soprano to Vito’s more measured Michael Corleone. Despite their disparate temperaments, both have a violent streak that leaves dead bodies in their wake.

Players will experience this firsthand via “Mafia II’s” good combat system. It’s based on realism, where Vito can’t run and gun. He’ll have to take cover, peek around a corner and fire, eliminating anyone in his way. When facing Tommy gun-toting enemies, he’ll have to wait for them to reload before attacking or otherwise find an opening to flank them.

When it comes to driving, there’s a similar dedication to keeping that veneer of mid-20th century reality. Players will see yellow stop signs instead of red. The modern one wasn’t instituted until 1954. In addition, Vito has to abide by speed limits or he’ll draw the attention of police. It’s a minor annoyance, but one that makes sense in the world.

It’s these tiny rules and details that makes and breaks “Mafia II.” I love how Empire Bay nearly duplicates 1940s and 1950s. The billboards have the style of that era while the bystanders sashay in the clothes of the decades. The trivial bits of apartment decor right down to the sandwiches in the fridge show some thought.

It’s nowhere near a “Mad Men” level of detail, but the game has a touch of that, and it helps transport players to the era. Unfortunately, despite the intense care, players can’t do much in the world other than tackle a few side missions or head out to a diner. Empire Bay is intricate, but the lack of interactivity makes the place feel like a museum. Players can appreciate the environment, but they can’t touch it.

As for the plot, it’s a stock Mafia story of betrayal, intrigue and internal politics among the three ruling families. The game owes a huge debt to “The Godfather” and “Goodfellas,” but I wish it went beyond the well-worn constructs of those films.

“Mafia II” shows so much promise that players can’t help but want more. Still, despite veering off expectations, the game proves to be a good entry into lore of organized crime. It’s not exactly an offer you can’t refuse, but you’ll have a hard time saying no.

Contact Gieson Cacho at 510-735-7076 or gcacho@bayareanews group.com. Read his blog at http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/