![]() Much like the first Assassin's Creed, it's a game with so much promise that collapses under the weight of its own ambition. After the double-cross, the game opens up and lets you roam free in its open world, but rather than continue as a compelling story-driven adventure it becomes a rote third-person shooter that relies on a litany of repetitive tasks. Sadly, this intro and the story it sets up are the pinnacle of Mafia 3's experiences. In fact, it's in these cut scenes that Mafia 3 hits its heights, tackling mature themes from murder to rape without appearing crass or immature. It's smart and intriguing, and the writing never takes a dip. Great too are the documentary-style cuttings that flash forward to a future investigation into Lincoln's actions in 1968, and they allow the story to play with chronology for an interesting perspective on events, signposting key plot points before they happen, while raising the tension as they do. Cue a fabulously directed and violent double-cross, which leaves Sammy and his closest associates murdered, their headquarters destroyed, and Lincoln presumed dead after taking a bullet to the side of the skull. Rather than betray his father figure, Lincoln refuses, instead promising to continue doing good work to help repay a debt that Sammy owes. It's a great heist that kicks the game off with a bang, and it leads to Marcano asking Lincoln to take over from Sammy, claiming he's got too old for the life. The game begins with a well paced and patient story setup, which has Lincoln robbing the federal reserve with the son of Mafia kingpin, Sal Marcano. ![]() Having recently returned to New Bordeaux after a stint in Vietnam as a special forces soldier, Lincoln hits the streets to help out his surrogate father, Sammy, who's also the leader of the local black crime organisation. You play as Lincoln Clay-a young, biracial orphan fitting an interesting Henry Hill archetype that embodies loyalty and decency, despite a penchant for everything criminal. It's unflinching and often unpleasant, but the depiction of racism is sensitively handled, without ever feeling gratuitous. The newfound focus on the African-American mob takes a mature and considered approach to the oppressive attitudes of the times, too. The city is rich and varied, with lovely details and intricate little flourishes bringing the entire place to life, despite a handful of technical failings (more on that later). From its big American cars-with their wide girth, chrome bumpers, and enormous steering wheels-to Hendrix riffs and the high-pitched tones of the Rolling Stones, Mafia 3 is an accomplished exercise in period world-building. The '60s were a vibrant, culturally rich time and Mafia 3 captures the southern American soul of a Louisiana-inspired city fantastically well. So rather than fixating on the made men of the '40s and '50s, Mafia 3 moves to the late '60s, and the heavily stylised city of New Bordeaux. ![]() Links: Amazon (UK) | Amazon (US) | Official website Mafia 3's first few hours are some of the best you'll play this year-but the next few dozen are among the most disappointing.įollowing on from the well written but mechanically limited Mafia 2, developer Hangar 13 has used this opportunity-in which is incidentally its debut game-to shift the series' perspective entirely, with mixed results. Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One (PC and PS4 reviewed)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |