In Real Life

Reconsidering Mafia II In The Lights Of L.A.

In the runup to the game’s release last year, Mafia II‘s development studio and publicity team tried, with limited success, to set reasonable expectations of the game. “It isn’t Grand Theft Auto,” I was told, more than once, in emails and in the game’s review notes.


December 20, 2010
News

European Lawmaker Gives Free Publicity To Mafia II

Italian-Americans wanted Mafia II banned because they said it portrayed offensive ethnic stereotypes. A European Parliament member wants it banned because it trivializes mob murders. I have a better strategy: STFU about banning bad games, and they’ll eventually fade away.


November 14, 2010
News

Things Go Bada-Boom When Joe Barbaro’s In Town

newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=707416","customParams":[] ,"width":500,"height":408.5,"ratio":0.817,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"gametrailers","wrap":true,"agegate":false} ); Ultimately, Mafia II suffered from too much imagination and not enough substance; “Jimmy’s Vendetta,” its first paid DLC extension, lacked both. But this trailer for its second, Joe’s Adventures, due Nov. 23, actually looks promising.


October 23, 2010
News

Mafia II’s Next DLC Package Coming Nov 23

“Joe’s Adventures,” a Mafia II DLC extension whose name has been known for some time, will arrive on November 23. A narrative flashback, you’ll play as Joe Barbaro during the time the main game’s protagonist, Vito Scaletta, is in prison.


September 12, 2010
In Real Life

All 50 Playboy Centrefolds Of Mafia II

Mafia II’s got some issues, but give the devil its due – it’s got some nudity in it. Hot Blooded Gaming, to my knowledge, is the first to round up and gallerise all 50 of its collectable Playboy centrefolds.


September 11, 2010

Mafia II: Jimmy’s Vendetta Review: Sand And Fury

Mafia II’s release was clouded by confusion over what “open-world” really meant. Some assumed it meant “sandbox”, where Mafia II was anythingf but. Jimmy’s Vendetta, the game’s first batch of downloadable content, offers more of what some had been expecting.


September 1, 2010
In Real Life

Mafia II From The Files Of Police Squad

Kotaku AU

Or is that The Naked Gun: From the Files of Empire Bay? Either way, Officer Frank Drebin would be proud.


August 24, 2010

Mafia II Review: Smelling The Roses In A Life Lived Too Fast

Morning. The phone rings, I answer. It’s Joe, chirping the usual advice. Get dressed and get my gun. I go to the fridge instead for a Master Beer. In the bathroom I flip on the light. I flush the toilet.


August 22, 2010
News

The Soundtrack Of Mafia II

It’s not exactly the Rock Band 3 tracklist reveal, but Mafia II’s period-piece bonafides aren’t limited to the set direction and costumes.


August 19, 2010
News

Italians Upset That The Mafia Are Italian

UNICO National, a group that represents Italian Americans, has lodged a protest with publishers Take-Two over the portrayal of the Mafia in upcoming game Mafia II. Because, you know. The mafia are portrayed as Italian Americans.