Mafia Classic

NOTE: this is a review of the game itself, not the GOG release. Basically, GTA3: Mobster Edition with an extremely heavy emphasis on story (which is good but, or maybe because, it is ripped off almost wholesale from a certain well-known film) and fewer penis jokes. The gameplay is fairly standard early 2000s TPS fare, meaning no health regen and no snapping to walls. The driving deserves more attention as it is decidedly less arcadey than GTA's (even today), even including (optional) manual transmission (!) and speedometer (!). In fact, the driving model is so complex (at least by casual, non-racing simulator standards), that one mandatory story mission that requires you to win a race (old-timey wheeled cigar style cars of course - goggles required) actually includes a semi-hidden shortcut that allows you to win without any effort. Other improvements in the "auto" department over Grand Theft Auto include passengers taking damage from collisions (!) and freelook shooting while driving (!!), the latter being understandably slightly hampered by being limited to pistols. It took Rockstar 6 years to include these features in GTAIV. Also, unlike any GTA game or clone before or after, the police fine you for breaking the speed limit or running red lights (!!!). As said before, the "meat" of the game is the mission based story mode which is pretty well done. There is a bare-bones "open world" mode that was included almost as an afterthought and an unlockable "extreme open world" mode which the developers poured all the pent-up GTA (more like Saints Row, anachronistically enough) zaniness into. To summarize: if you ever 100%ed a GTA game and enjoyed doing so, you will probably find Mafia too limiting. For everyone else, it's a must-try.

The writing in this game is superb and the action matches it.

Mafia had the misfortune of releasing after GTA III, and was quickly labeled a clone. In truth, it's a very different game with a linear, story-driven experience that trades a sandbox for immersion and atmosphere. The story is its greatest strength. Told through flashbacks, it follows taxi driver Tommy Angelo, who is reluctantly drawn into the Salieri family. This framing device spans years and shows how his ordinary life collapses into crime. The pacing feels believable, and Tommy is a grounded, human protagonist whose choices make sense. Lost Heaven, the 1930s metropolis, is carefully crafted with authentic cars, music, and routines. Unlike GTA's playground cities, it's not meant for endless roaming. The world enforces rules speed limits, fuel consumption, and police patrols that make it feel more like a living simulation than a sandbox. Small details, like buildings under construction that later finish or newer car models appearing, reinforce the passage of time. Driving is slow and clunky, reflecting the era's cars. Some find it dull, but it supports the realism: reckless driving usually ends in arrest. Gunfights follow the same philosophy as few bullets kill, weapons are limited, and tactics matter. Yet combat often feels frustrating, with trial-and-error encounters and weak AI, making it the least polished part of the game. Attention to detail sets Mafia apart. Tires and windows can be shot out and bullet holes persist. These touches strengthen immersion. Outside the story, however, the game falters. Freeride mode quickly feels empty, and even the bizarre “Freeride Extreme” challenges clash with the grounded mechanics. Its gameplay can be rough, but as a narrative-driven crime drama, it delivers one of the most immersive experiences of its era.

thanks gog for bringing it back !! mafia 1 is the best singleplayer story game ive ever played.

Just like I remembered all those years ago! Works perfectly, thanks so much. :)