*WARNING: POTENTIAL EARLY GAME SPOILERS*
As fun as open world crime games can be, I’m kind of over the typical formula that most of them take. From Grand Theft Auto III, The Godfather: The Game and the first two Mafia games, each of these are examples of a title that asks the player to go through the motions as a low level mobster who climbs through the ranks to become one of its top members. This fatigue left me skeptical of Mafia III‘s ability to change my mind, figuring that it would be more of the same. One look at 2K’s Mafia
Yes, at the start of the game, you’re a low level member of a mob. Except this time, instead of joining the Italians, you’ll be part of the black mob in the fictional town of New Bordeaux, (inspired by 1960’s New Orleans). At least, that’s the plan. But it’s clear early on that the Italians are just as vicious in 1968 as they were in previous decades, wiping out their supposed allies in the process. As Lincoln Clay, the sole survivor of the black mob’s eradication and a Vietnam veteran who had just found a place to call home with the group, he’ll gather the enemies of his friend’s murderers and embark on a quest for revenge that will see the Italians get taken down piece by piece.
Even without all the details though, you’ll know you’re right outside of the 1970’s with an authentic feel, which includes speedometers, interiors and architecture that feels right out of the era. Serving as a mostly untapped time period within this genre, watching Mafia III in action felt instantly compelling because of it, not shying away from some of the more controversial topics at the time. With Vietnam being a guaranteed theme thanks to Lincoln’s background and hints at civil unrest due to the anti war sentiment rising throughout the country, at least one of the Italian lieutenants that you’re asked to take down was even hinted at being part of the Ku Klux Klan, showing in game renderings of a cross burning. As a black character, it will be interesting to see how far the game is willing to delve into the dark side of history at the time, especially while being fresh off of the Civil Rights movement.
But history aside, the reason why most of us play these games are to shoot up hundreds of bad guys and feel like a bad ass while doing it. New Bordeaux is divided up into districts, each of which is controlled by a different lieutenant that’s responsible for a different racket. Much like the early Assassin’s Creed games, Lincoln must gather information across a variety of missions before he can approach each target. Allowing players to choose between using stealth, starting shootouts or going in with a group of loyal AI partners to help you fight off enemies and escape with your life, we’re promised multiple ways to approach the same situations.
Once the territory is taken however, that’s where the real fight begins. It’s up to Lincoln to divide up the claimed parts of the city between his own three lieutenants, each of which have as much of a grudge against the Italians as you do. Cassandra, the leader of the town’s Haitian gang, Thomas Burke, who runs a local scrapyard when he’s not leading the Irish gang, and Vito Scaletta, the Mafia II protagonist who is aiding Lincoln after another stint in prison, (and an attempt at a normal life), each give you missions and support when out on the field, which can be called upon at various points in battle. At the end of the day though, they want power just as much as you do, which is why intense negotiations take place once each district is completed. The three underbosses will plead their case as to why you should give them your newly claimed land, each with different in-game benefits to go with the choice. The characters will remember what you’ve picked in the past, guilt tripping you for neglecting them while using their past success to convince you to pile more on top of them. Keeping in mind that you’re working with criminals, shunning one too many times can lead to them turning on you, unlocking bonus missions where you have to put their potential coup to an end before it gets started. Your choices will determine if you’ll ever come across one of these scenarios, but it’s definitely looking like the game will be worth playing multiple times to see the various scenarios play out.
A new setting, a new time period, a new approach to taking on missions, and a new level of consequence that comes with your choices. After learning what we have, is there a reason NOT to be excited about Mafia III? Check out the E3 trailer below and get up to speed, then let us know in the comments what you’re most looking forward to when the game releases for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on October 7.