Mafia 3 has just been released and gamers would like to find out if they should get a copy or not since 2K games did not send out early copies for critics to review - you know, for an advanced 'heads up'. From small-scale writers like me to highly accredited critics, game reviews will be served to gamers sooner or later.
Personally, this will just encourage me to get the game regardless of the ratings. Playing the game first-hand is the ultimate way of knowing if it's good or not. After all, we do have different preferences and perspectives.
Just yesterday, I thought of getting a copy of Mafia 3 because I read about its initial review and it seems that the game is a good one. Open-world games tend to lean towards the 'exploring' side rather than focusing on a good linear story. Mafia 3 isn't one of them as the review I read claimed that the game has a good shot of making it to the list of best open-world games.
Game Rant wrote a review that Mafia 3 makes a quick turn by steering away from the stereotype of Italian mobs along with its usual city aura. Hangar 3, the game's creator, also made some changes on its combat system as well as how missions are structured. Sadly, Game Rant thinks that the changes on the gameplay isn't as eager as how they changed the game over-all. For me, I wouldn't mind it since I focus more on the 'soul' of the game which is its story. This is why I love Hideo Kojima's games although the MGS series tend to repeat some of its mechanics.
What's the scenery like?
Game Rant tells us that it's more on fictional New Orleans-ish as they reported on another article. The scenes indeed avoid any Italian-like mob aura which we usually observe on the Godfather series. The scenery also includes institutional racism which you can easily look up on the internet on what it is all about.
Reviews have already come
Initially, reviewers admire Mafia 3 due to its spectacular narrative and wonderful scenery. Game Rant has posted some of its initial scenery concepts here. But underneath the fancy coating, repetitive gameplay comes in. This is one of the things that I don't favor over games, keeping you entertained without knowing that you have been doing tasks over and over again. At this point, gameplay scenes from The Godfather on the PS2 came haunting me. I was so engaged in taking over store fronts and underground businesses that I didn't realize I did the same game template over and over, but at least I became a mafia boss.
Game Rant's article has gathered some criticism for Mafia 3 ranging scores from 5.4 to 7.5 which isn't really a good score for a title set to be one of the best open-world games. Sad thing is, no one scored it as a 9 or at least an 8.
To sum up the reviews, they sounded like: the game is very awesome in terms of narrative and it keeps you busy with stuff to maintain but what you didn't realize is that you are doing some things over and over again. Another review angle says that the game is too narrative but would trade the concept for anything dull.
Gathering all the thoughts of these reviewers, it looks like I may need to postpone picking up the game over the weekend, maybe wait for its price to drop. Regardless if good or bad, Mafia 3 is personally a good disc to put on the shelves and delve into the game for some couch-gaming during free time.
