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Mafia pc Game Reviews
Mafia
Critic Score
Metascore: 88 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.1 out of 10
based on 27 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 85 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

Mafia brings the 1930's underworld to life in this 3rd person 3D action game. Rise from the lowly but well-dressed footsoldier to the envied and feared Made Man in an era of big bands, zoot suits and Model T's. Take on the role of a hitman, enforcer, getaway driver and more in your struggle for respect, money and power within the Salieri Family. [Take 2]

PUBLISHER: Take 2 Interactive - Gathering of Developers
DEVELOPER: Illusion Softworks
GENRE(S): Third-Person Action
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: August 27, 2002

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
Four Fat Chicks
Yet Mafia oozes class, polish, and style like no other game so far this year. To not "experience" Mafia is a far greater crime than any in the Salieri family ever committed.
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93
GameSpot
Looks and sounds great, it's exciting, it's suitably bug-free, and, at a time when eight hours is becoming the standard length for single-player shooters, it's long. Quite simply, Mafia is one of the best games of the year.
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93
PC Gameworld
The 30s era vehicles and weaponry are unique to the PC shooter market and provide a challenge to even the most seasoned gamers.
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93
GameZone
The question here is: why don't you own this game already? This is an excellent game.
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93
Game Informer
From the living city in which you reside, to the incredibly realistic vehicles, this title has the heart and sould of a blockbuster. [Nov 2002, p.147]
92
Gamers' Temple
Outside of my complaint with the racing level and a few very minor issues, Mafia is a really immersive game. The story is very good, and the cutscenes and voice acting are of the highest caliber.
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92
IGN
Mafia is dripping with style and class and has certainly shoved itself into the ranks of the best games of this year.
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91
PC Gamer
It's rare in this day and age to be truly impressed by a game's graphics, but a lot of your early game time will be spent just marveling at the scenery. [Dec 2002, p.90]
91
GamerWeb PC
It's not "GTA 3." It goes way above and beyond the arcadey style of GTA, and is just an overall satisfying game.
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91
PGNx Media
The PC version is the best you can get. If you have a PC that meets the requirements below, you’ll have a much better time than you would with either console version. Furthermore, GameStop.com is selling this game for a mere $10, several times less than the console versions.
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91
GameSpy
A game hasn't oozed this much style since the release of "Max Payne." The gameplay, the story, the graphics -- the entire presentation is topnotch.
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91
Game Revolution
Mafia takes the idea of the bustling city to a new, incredibly ambitious level with an awe-inspiring sense of detail and forethought. Without a doubt, the game is gorgeous.
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90
Total Video Games
For a superbly crafted single player experience you probably won’t find many to touch it, everything combines to create such a cinematic experience that you can’t help but find yourself completely encompassed into it.
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90
PC Format
As cinematic games go, Mafia is in a league of its own.
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90
AtomicGamer
Even with its problems, Mafia was a joy to play, and I really hope we see more games that expand on the Grand Theft Auto formula. But if you are going to do a GTA3-alike game, a unique setting as well as a few major gameplay additions are absolute musts. Luckily, Mafia delivers in those areas.
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90
Yahoo! Games
Happens to have a fantastic storyline backing it up, mixed with what's proving to be some of the most enjoyable gameplay to be seen this year.
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90
Game Over Online
The quintessential difference between other gangster games and this one is the fact that the story gives reason for the action to exist. It doesn't work the other way around.
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90
Computer Games Online RO
The missions are very well linked between them and in the background you thought of a very interesting but somehow sad story.
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89
Media and Games Online Network
The excellent storyline, huge environment, fantastic graphics and superb voice acting create an atmosphere which is unmatched in any PC game today.
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88
Gamer's Pulse
I really enjoyed the missions, and even though they could be tough, the movie-like atmosphere makes for a truly compelling gaming experience.
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82
netjak
An enjoyable romp while it lasts, I just wish driving wasn't such a big part of it all.
Read Full Review
80
G4 TV
A real treat... However, the occasional way-too-difficult mission leads to some frustrating repetition, and behaving while driving around so as not to blow the last leg of a driving mission can become slightly tedious.
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80
Armchair Empire
While I didn't appreciate the sudden difficulty of the racing mission, it doesn't wreck the game as a whole.
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80
Adrenaline Vault
With gorgeous graphics, an enthralling story, nifty sound and music, and fun gameplay, it's a blast from beginning to end.
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80
All Game Guide
With better cut-scenes, more realistic driving physics, and a cinematic story, Mafia holds its own. While not as revolutionary as "GTA 3," it’s solid and oozes style.
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79
ActionTrip
This game looks and feels like "GTA3," only better looking and not as funny and 'open-ended.'
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70
Computer Gaming World
The pacing seems a little off in this game, and to compound the issue, there's no in-mission save. [Dec 2002, p.120]

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 85 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

N. Z. gave it a9:
Realistic, thrilling, and intriguing, I wish all games were this good.

Jacob W. gave it a9:
Probably one of the best games ever in its genre. The atmosphere, the storyline and the great deal of possibilities left to the player are all well composed and fit seamlessly together. The artistic detail of the virtual world (city and exteriors) is astonishing as for the date of release. There is just one emminent drawback to the game. The player cannot save during missions, so he must start the whole mission all over again, if he dies. But, after some time one becomes used to it and develops survival techniques to prevent rash deaths. Even though some technical glitches remain, even after the release of patches, the concept of the game and the devotion it was made with qualifies it for highest rankings. I not only recommand everyone just to play it, but to even recommand it further!

Petar P. gave it a10:
Absolutely amazing game, one of my favs. Every aspect of this tittle is nearly flawless, but without a few patches you will find some bugged elements in the gameplay. Without a doubt it's included in my personal top 10 list of games I've played:).

Smokey McPot gave it a6:
The missions are fun, but as a GTA knock-off it leaves a lot to be desired. Many aspects of the game are pretty frustrating, and I'm not sure how everyone else has overlooked the fact that it's extremely buggy.

UK_John gave it a9:
Given we have had Scarface and The Godfather games, who would have thought a fictional gangster game called Mafia could outdo them both and be the No.1 game to immerse you into the world of the 30;s and the life of a Mafiosi!

James L. gave it a10:
One of the best games Ive played. The story line is amazing. HUGE city to explore. Very realistic. It makes you feel like you actually lived during this time period. The cars drive like they should. As the game progresses so do the cars. They get more horsepower and get less boxy looking. It keeps the game interesting. Once again the story line is awesome. I always kinda wanted them to write a graphic novel or something based on this game.

Tim gave it a10:
I think this is one of the best ever third person shooter games to come out. A note to those who complain about the slowness of the cars, ahem in reality the cars back in the 1930s were actually a lot slower.. jeez get real this is not Need For Speed. And there are plenty of mods available.

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