2K Games has
announced that it will be publishing
Mafia 2, sequel to 2002's organized crime sim,
Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven. Developed by Illusion Softworks for "next generation consoles" and Games for Windows, the game faces unbelievably steep and varied competition as it vies to be "the industry's most compelling Mafia title to date." It also promises to deliver "high octane gunplay with white knuckle driving and an engaging narrative," though we're not sure why you'd be driving a giant white hand or getting married in the course of the story. But hey, they had us at the high octane gunplay bit.
As evidenced by the initial batch of screenshots, the 1940s tale of fine suits and illegal activities hopes to be just as cinematic as a Hollywood film -- preferably one involving mobsters and godfathers. If those offer any guidance, however, it may be wise to cancel any plans for
Mafia 3.
{ Aug 21st 2007 at 12:25PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ali @ Aug 21st 2007 12:33PM
Yah, I love Mafia when it came out on the PC.
Ian @ Aug 21st 2007 6:11PM
Yea, the PC version of Mafia was amazing and underrated. Doesn't Mafia 2 have a different developer? Hmmm...
mike_p @ Aug 24th 2007 9:09AM
It was probably the best bargain game I ever owned.
geeky @ Aug 21st 2007 12:35PM
If this is going to be as good as the first one (PC), then I'm in.
mr nimblewick @ Aug 21st 2007 12:36PM
Based on the screenshot, "next generation consoles" means everything but Wii.
Matt B @ Aug 21st 2007 12:53PM
Except in terms of units sold.
mr nimblewick @ Aug 21st 2007 12:56PM
I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.
Fernando Rocker @ Aug 21st 2007 12:57PM
Nex gen its not only about the graphics.
Did you see the Lair review from PS Magazine?? 5/10! and Warhawk... 6.5/10! not very AAA titles.
mr nimblewick @ Aug 21st 2007 1:00PM
I agree it's not about graphics, I only own a Wii. But I'm starting to catch on when developers release a screenshot like that and say "next-gen systems" they mean not on Wii.
BioshockWarrior @ Aug 21st 2007 1:09PM
You're right mr nimblewick.
But Fernando is also right when he says next gen isn't about graphics alone.
Thats just pure ignorance on the part of developers who say that everytime they release a game.
Plus I notice Joystiq is fond of saying that as well.
Stupidiot @ Aug 21st 2007 6:08PM
I want to know why they're developing a game for 'next generation' consoles when this generation's have been out for less than 2 years :p
BioshockWarrior @ Aug 21st 2007 12:36PM
That looks awesome...
Perhaps it could even be better than GTA? Cuz I'm not feeling the main character of IV or the storyline (thus far).
One can hope...
Jose @ Aug 21st 2007 12:39PM
Is anyone else tired of Mafia movies (and now Mafia games)?
Honestly, I don't know if it's the glorifying of the violent and criminal acts themselves, or the fact that this shiz's been done to death.
Why not glorify new and more exciting criminal activity? Why don't we have a game set in Colombia where I, a right wing paramilitary fighter, kill local coca farmers to keep them scared and poor so that I can make my huge narco-bucks? I get money from the Colombian and US governments, as well as the money that pours in from high demand in first world countries for the coolest drug ever to buy fancy weapons and hire more troops. You don't even have to do it to be cool, it's the only drug you can just talk about doing, and still be just as cool!
I think that'd be a great game.
J-Guy @ Aug 21st 2007 12:56PM
I'd play it.
Ali @ Aug 21st 2007 12:57PM
Because unlike The Godfather, Mafia was a very good game for its time, while it was a little buggy and the driving took some getting used to the cinematic feel to the story was very well done.
I only hope it maintains that quality.
As for lots of Mafia games, wasn't aware there where that many, WWII games yes but not Mafia ones
dug @ Aug 21st 2007 2:53PM
thats crysis...
Morgon @ Aug 21st 2007 12:40PM
Yessssss. I absolutely loved this game. It was quite breathtaking. Now I just have to figure out if I'm doing the 360 version with Achievements, or the PC with possibly better visuals.
megaStryke @ Aug 21st 2007 12:44PM
2K Games? Cue Jack Thompson in 3... 2... 1....
Ali @ Aug 21st 2007 12:57PM
Yeah he'll be blaming RockStar for this game, just like BioShock.
BNinjaC @ Aug 21st 2007 1:01PM
Looks good, better than GTAIV in the auld graphics department imho. Very cool.
sinergy @ Aug 21st 2007 1:07PM
finally! been waiting for ages.
Hansi @ Aug 21st 2007 1:22PM
Whats up with complaining about the driving, it was the absolute best part of the original!
Fullmetal Salchemist @ Aug 21st 2007 3:06PM
It was too realistic for a sandbox[ish] game. I also liked the driving, and I felt that the damage physics for the cars was the most realistic I've seen in any game.
But yes, much love for the original, looking forward to this one, etcetera.
PS: Anyone notice how Don Salieri made a cameo in The Godfather?
Sean @ Aug 21st 2007 1:43PM
Yeah! I loved the first one on the PC as well. Now it makes me want to go play the original again, since it has been a couple of years.
zizo @ Aug 21st 2007 2:00PM
it looks hot !!
Supino @ Aug 21st 2007 2:10PM
superb!
oh man, I loved the first one.
MRKisThatKid @ Aug 21st 2007 2:14PM
OMG, I've been waiting for this day for year! The original Mafia is one of my favourite games ever! How it disappeared from the radar i'll never know.
Z @ Aug 21st 2007 4:19PM
2k Games is the only company that hasn't realized Nintendo is winning the console war.
Get with it, fellas!!
Al K @ Aug 21st 2007 6:08PM
Oh.
Em.
Gee.
Exclamation mark x 42.
Mark @ Aug 21st 2007 9:27PM
Looking back the farm scene in Mafia was definitely up there in the top 5 most engaging atmospheres I've ever seen simulated in a videogame.
Honestly the game deserved to be a lot longer, and I really hope they build on the insanely engaging environments and do the original justice.
(01) @ Aug 21st 2007 10:24PM
I don't mean to stray off topic or anything, but what the hell is the deal with the blaring wrestling add buried in the middle of the site? Not that I don't appreciate obnoxious flash, but seriously....
Lubos Motl @ Aug 22nd 2007 2:59PM
Trailer is out! In German: http://motls.blogspot.com/2007/08/game-mafia-2.html