Mafia II Diary: Day 3 - A Brave New World

I’ve been talking a lot about these cinematic shifts that occur throughout the Mafia II storyline. The first shift occurred when Vito was stripped from his urban environment and cast off to Sicily to fight in World War II. Next came the prison shift where we got a taste of what it was like in the can. The current shift we’re experiencing will change the look and feel of the game more than it ever has as we shift to the 1950’s.

Just like Vito is fresh out the slammer, Empire City has gotten a fresh coat of paint. It has only been 4 years since Vito first entered the joint, but it’s been a time of change for America. There has been a shift in society that is reflected in the look and feel of the world. The 1950s were a very commercial time. The advertising industry is in its heyday and consumerism is all the rage.

Graphically things are a lot brighter in Empire City. It has finally stopped snowing and flashy billboards and loud cars are all competing for your attention. But it’s not just a cosmetic face lift. The gameplay has changed quite a bit as well. The cars controls differently, they’re a lot quicker for one thing. There is also more traffic to avoid with the addition of trucks and taxis crowding the streets. There is an energy that surrounds the city now.

Your opposition is no longer exclusive to rival mobsters, now you’ll have to face local gangs that have been rapidly growing in membership since you last left town. They are mostly comprised of teenage kids, but they pack a hefty punch due to their large numbers. If you’ve ever had the joy of reading S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders you’ll instantly recognize the world of the greasers.

That’s all for now, I’m enjoying soaking in the different time periods and shifts the game is presenting. It’s keeping things interesting. I honestly don’t know what they are going to do next.

Check back tomorrow for more Mafia II coverage.