Mafia is a series of action-adventure video games developed by Hangar 13, a studio owned by 2K Games. The games are set in fictionalized versions of American cities during different eras of the 20th century, and follow the lives of various characters involved in organized crime. The games are known for their cinematic storytelling, realistic gameplay, and immersive open-world environments.
But which of the Hangar 13 Mafia games is the best? How do they compare to each other in terms of graphics, gameplay, story, and overall quality? In this article, we will rank the four main entries in the series, from the worst to the best, based on our personal opinions and reviews from critics and players. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the series and its future.
Table of Contents
Mafia Games Ranked in the list below:
4. Mafia III (2016)
Mafia III is the third installment in the series, and the first one developed by Hangar 13. It is set in 1968 in New Bordeaux, a fictionalized version of New Orleans, and follows the story of Lincoln Clay, a biracial Vietnam War veteran who seeks revenge against the Italian mob for betraying and killing his adopted family.
Mafia III received mixed reviews from critics and players alike. On the positive side, the game was praised for its rich and diverse setting, its soundtrack featuring authentic music from the era, its voice acting and motion capture performances, and its depiction of racial issues and social commentary. On the negative side, the game was criticized for its repetitive and tedious gameplay, its technical issues and bugs, its lackluster story and characters, and its deviation from the previous games in terms of tone and style.
Mafia III is not a bad game per se, but it is definitely the weakest entry in the series. It tried to do too many things at once, but failed to execute them well. It lacked the charm and polish of the previous games, and felt more like a generic open-world game than a true Mafia game.
3. Mafia: Definitive Edition (2020)
Mafia: Definitive Edition is a remake of the original Mafia game from 2002. It is set in 1930-1938 in Lost Heaven, a fictionalized version of Chicago, and follows the story of Tommy Angelo, a taxi driver who becomes involved with the Salieri crime family after a fateful encounter with two mobsters.
Mafia: Definitive Edition received mostly positive reviews from critics and players. On the positive side, the game was praised for its stunning graphics and visuals, its faithful recreation of the original game’s atmosphere and story, its improved gameplay mechanics and features, and its additional content and enhancements. On the negative side, the game was criticized for its outdated design and structure, its linear and scripted gameplay, its lack of innovation and creativity, and its minor technical issues and glitches.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is a respectful and respectful remake of a classic game that still holds up well today. It is a great way to experience or revisit the original game’s story and world with modern graphics and gameplay. However, it is not a perfect game, nor a groundbreaking one. It is more of a nostalgia trip than a fresh experience.
2. Mafia II (2010)
Mafia II is the second installment in the series, and the last one developed by Illusion Softworks (later renamed 2K Czech). It is set in 1943-1951 in Empire Bay, a fictionalized version of New York City, and follows the story of Vito Scaletta, an Italian-American war veteran who becomes involved with the Falcone crime family after returning from World War II.
Mafia II received mostly positive reviews from critics and players. On the positive side, the game was praised for its cinematic storytelling and cutscenes, its realistic gameplay and physics, its detailed and immersive world, its voice acting and dialogue, and its soundtrack featuring licensed music from the era. On the negative side, the game was criticized for its short length and lack of replay value, its linear and restrictive gameplay, its underdeveloped characters and subplots, and its technical issues and bugs.
Mafia II is a solid and enjoyable game that delivers a compelling and authentic story of crime and betrayal in post-war America. It is a worthy successor to the original game, and a fan-favorite in the series. However, it is not a flawless game, nor a revolutionary one. It is more of a refinement than an innovation.
1. Mafia (2002)
Mafia is the first installment in the series, and the one that started it all. It is set in 1930-1938 in Lost Heaven, a fictionalized version of Chicago, and follows the story of Tommy Angelo, a taxi driver who becomes involved with the Salieri crime family after a fateful encounter with two mobsters.
Mafia received critical acclaim from critics and players. On the positive side, the game was praised for its engaging and immersive storytelling, its realistic and challenging gameplay, its detailed and atmospheric world, its memorable characters and voice acting, and its original soundtrack featuring orchestral music. On the negative side, the game was criticized for its steep difficulty and learning curve, its outdated graphics and animations, its clunky controls and interface, and its technical issues and bugs.
Mafia is a masterpiece of a game that set the standard for the genre of open-world crime games. It is a game that offers a unique and unforgettable experience of living the life of a gangster in the 1930s. It is a game that has aged well and still holds up today. It is the best game in the series, and one of the best games ever made.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have ranked the four main entries in the Hangar 13 Mafia series, from the worst to the best, based on our personal opinions and reviews from critics and players. Here is our final ranking: Mafia III (2016)
Of course, this ranking is subjective and not definitive. You may have a different opinion or preference, and that’s fine. The best way to find out which game you like the most is to play them yourself and form your own judgment.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Hangar 13 Mafia series and its future.
Q: Are there any other games in the series besides the four main ones?
A: Yes, there are some spin-offs and expansions for the main games. For example, there is Mafia II: Joe’s Adventures, which is a DLC for Mafia II that follows the story of Joe Barbaro, Vito’s best friend. There is also Mafia III: Faster, Baby!, which is a DLC for Mafia III that follows the story of Lincoln Clay and Roxy Laveau, a civil rights activist.
Q: Are there any plans for a new Mafia game?
A: Yes, there are. In August 2022, Hangar 13 confirmed that they are working on a new Mafia project, which is still a few years away. They did not reveal any details about the project, but they said that they are excited about it and that they will share more information when they can.
Q: What are some similar games to the Hangar 13 Mafia series?
A: If you like the Hangar 13 Mafia series, you may also like some other games that belong to the same genre of open-world crime games. Some examples are:
- Grand Theft Auto series by Rockstar Games
- Red Dead Redemption series by Rockstar Games
- The Godfather series by EA Games
- The Sopranos: Road to Respect by 7 Studios
- L.A. Noire by Team Bondi
- Sleeping Dogs by United Front Games
- Yakuza series by Sega
