Vito Scaletta, Mafia II's conflicted leading man, does not lead an easy life. Mafia II, the game he stars in, is also an earthly pleasure, as well as a cerebral delight that any fan of great storytelling will revel in. The story kicks off in 1945, and you meet Vito Scaletta, the son of Italian immigrants who, along with his smart-mouthed best friend Joe, seeks out the fastest ticket to a big fortune. Vito's occasionally stoic, occasionally fiery demeanor makes him an excellent leading man. Mafia II never holds back when depicting this world's everyday violence. Vito and Joe are showered with hedonistic rewards--alcohol, women, even houses--and never delude themselves with a greater purpose. At one point, Vito reminds Joe why they do what they do: to have stuff. This excellent dialogue expresses Vito's dilemma in a nutshell; his moral compass demands he rise above his reckless behavior before it's too late to turn back, yet mob life is increasingly irresistible. Every line of dialogue sounds authentic while still always driving story and character, and there are even subtle and satisfying winks to the audience. Empire City plays a supporting role in Mafia II, rather than taking center stage. The game's initial chapters take place in the winter of 1945, when the streets are coated with snow, and ladies in overcoats stroll with gentlemen sporting fedoras and chain-smoking cigarettes. Pink flamingos now bedazzle your pal Joe's apartment, and the bulbous vehicles get a little more streamlined. Rain showers cast a gloomy pall over the later, more violent missions. It's with this explorable world that Mafia II commits its most egregious crime, however: Empire City goes largely underutilized. There are no side missions to take. It's excellent, action-packed stuff, but it also underlines how limited Mafia II feels in the company of games like Just Cause 2, Red Dead Redemption, and Grand Theft Auto IV, which put their big worlds to good use.
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