“Mafia II” offers gamers and would-be gangsters plenty of chances to invoke the famous words of Al Pacino’s “Scarface” character, “Say hello to my little friend!” Set in a violent, bloody 1940s and 50s underworld of crime and mayhem, the new video game was released on Tuesday by 2K Czech for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.
The game’s main character is Vito Scaletta, the son of Sicilian parents who immigrated to the United States. The setting is Empire City, a fictional metropolis that conjures up comparisons to New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
Scaletta’s goal is to move up into the top ranks of the mob, which of course means he’ll have to lie, steal, cheat, betray and murder to get there. The game is rated “M” for Mature for violence, cursing and nudity. The nudity part involves 1950′s Playboy covers and centerfolds that are part of a licensing deal.
“Mafia II” involved a great deal of historical research by writer Daniel Vavra, according to a CNN review. Players can drive historically accurate cars (which they can customize) and listen to music from the era (the game includes 120 licensed songs from the 40s and 50s which play on the cars’ radios and other places).
Players also get to bribe cops, engage in shootouts, and find guns, food and clothes in the city’s shops in neighborhoods. Scenes include classic mafia hangouts, a bourbon distillery, Chinese restaurant and a dock warehouse.
“Mafia II” screenshot photo courtesy of a photo download made available on the 2K Czech “Mafia II” website.











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