A real remaster that thoroughly updates an 18-year-old title into a proper next-gen game, and actually makes it better than the original.

The main difference between the remake and the original game is that the latter was outstanding for its time, while the Definitive Edition is “merely” good. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. What’s crucial here is the fact that Hangar 13 approached the original’s narrative with proper respect and refrained from changing it too much. Mafia: Definitive Edition might not be remarkable as an open-world action game, but it still has the story worthy of the most revered gangster movies. [12/2020, p.28]

All this time, the first Mafia was the best of the trio. It just took a phenomenal effort from Hangar 13 to do it justice with Mafia: Definitive Edition. This feels like the rare necessary remake that elevates and builds upon the original. It's truly an offer you can't refuse.

Hangar 13 has retouched every single aspect of the original Mafia, expanding the story, refining the gameplay, and wrapping it with an absolutely phenomenal new look and sound, elevating it to an entirely new and modern level. It’s good to be part of the family once more.

This remake is a great way to remember a true Czech legend which nowadays suffers from old age. This game respects the original but with its own twist - a darker, more believable story.

Mafia Definitive Edition is how a classic game should be remade. It keeps the soul of the original and pulls the title back into the modern era of games. The amazing story is kept intact with only a couple of changes here and there, including a totally new cast of voice actors. It's only a pity that the new version of Paulie is not up to snuff. Besides that, however, Hangar 13 has done an amazing job to introduce the original Mafia to a new audience and the game deserves to be played.

Definitive Edition is a great remake. Hangar 13 respects the work of Illusions Softworks and expands it to improve every aspect of the game.

Of course, it cannot keep up with modern open-world genre representatives of the caliber of a GTA or Watch Dogs in terms of scope and gaming activities. But it doesn't even want that. Mafia wants to tell a story, a story about family, friendship, morals and tragedy, and the game does this very well.

With this Definitive Edition, players can now play all three Mafia games together giving the player many hours inside the world these teams created. I highly recommend this game to new and older players alike.

We especially like how well the developers preserve the spirit of the original, while at the same time extending the story in a meaningful way.

Mafia Definitive Edition is the example of a well-made remake, with vastly improved graphics, and enough new stuff to keep every gamer hooked, be it a newbie, or one that has already done the original game. Still, we miss the Extreme Freeride mode that disappeared from this version.

This remake manages to bring the 2002 hit back to life while improving it at the same time. Not only does it offer detailed graphics with good lighting effects, but the animations are very high quality. It's not state-of-the-art technology, but it's very close to it. There are a few synchronization problems and Lost Heaven might be a little small, but it fits Hangar 13's model like a glove. We enjoyed rediscovering the atmosphere of such a well-executed scenario, with its very high quality soundtrack and varied gameplay that gives a real rhythm to the game.

Mafia: Definitive Edition improves on the original in every way. It does this by telling a remarkable story bolstered by beautifully detailed visuals and excellent performances. The outdated mission design and gameplay keep it from ever feeling truly modern however.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a clever, stylish and faithful remake of a cult game, which 18 years later, is still powerful lesson of how to tell a story in an open world. Hangar 13 did a great job rebuilding the city and the atmosphere with a modern touch, the story is still great and compelling, while the gameplay sometimes feels a little bit too old.

Stunning to look at, dripping in era-specific atmosphere, from the cars to the fashion to the buildings, the signs, the advertisements, to the way kitchens are arranged or how alleys and roadways intersect in a way where you can still see remnants of that transition from horse and carriage to automobile.

It’s not as stellar as the original Mafia was, but it’s not like anyone really expected that to happen. Still, Hangar 13’s game offers an interesting take on Mafia’s story – and that is no small thing either. [Issue#248, p.30]

Hangar 13’s remake of Mafia is great. The story is as interesting as ever, and only minor technical issues take away from what is otherwise a welcome reintroduction to Tommy Angelo and the Salieri crew.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is genuinely one of the best remakes of this generation. It gets so much right in terms of staying true to the source material and preserving what makes it so awesome. Sadly, that only ends up hurting it due to a dated mission structure and poor AI. Still, it was fantastic to be able to play such an updated version of the classic.

Completely rebuilt from the ground up, Mafia: Definitive Edition features excellent performances from its new cast, a fantastic driving model, and a beautiful and authentic city oozing with 1930s atmosphere like overfilled cannoli. It’s hobbled slightly by its fairly vanilla third-person combat – and it arguably wastes the potential of its entirely overhauled world by not crafting a few new ways to utilise more of it – but it’s still a successful rejuvenation of the best story in the series to date, and one that can now stand beside 2016’s Mafia III as an equal, rather than a quaint but crusty ancestor.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a remarkable reimagining of the original title that flexes its muscles in graphical fidelity and storytelling but falls flat in other areas. While I fully enjoyed my time with it, its mediocre third-person shooting mechanics, abysmal AI, and erratic difficulty can sometimes be a test of perseverance. It is a reminder of the rather old game buried under the shiny new graphical improvements. It is an impressive retelling of an open-world classic, and it exceeded my expectations on that front. Some of its shortcomings are easily overshadowed by what the title does well. If you're a fan of the franchise, this is an easy recommendation, especially given its discounted launch price and the way it re-creates the series' arguably finest entry. On the other hand, if you expect a game that's fully up to today's high standard, Mafia: Definitive Edition may be a tad underwhelming.

Mafia was a great action game with a thrilling story and charismatic characters, and now, you can enjoy it in a remarkable remake, with impressive graphics and new gameplay mechanics.

If you're a fan of the original Mafia then you should give this remake a try. It captures the spirit of the game while also making it a thoroughly modern shooter. If you never played Mafia, then this doesn't feel like a nostalgia project but a new game. The split structure of the story mode and open world may be unusual when lined up against its current competitors, but if you find yourself lost in large open worlds like Assassin's Creed and are looking for something that has more respect for your time, Mafia may be for you.

Mafia has finally regained its splendor and this remake will be a very good entry point for anyone who wants to discover a game that marked its time, with a little indulgence, while fans will appreciate this facelift that never betrays the essence of the original experience, while modernizing it despite its sometimes aging aspects.

Time wasn't gentle to the original Mafia; a remake was a necessity. I'm glad I could experience this story once more. I completed the game with pleasure, admiring the recreated Lost Heaven, and some really nice graphics. The sequels have nothing on this remaster, and even though some elements could use more polish, this is most definitely a must-play.

There are recent games that have better mechanics, visuals, and audio than Mafia: Definitive Edition. But the team at Hanger 13 have done an amazing job in bringing Mafia up to today’s standard. The dialogue and telling of the story are much improved from the original, and although I encountered the graphical glitches, the visuals feel as though they fit in the contemporary. Mafia II is still my favourite of the trilogy, but Mafia: Definitive Edition has been a fun ride with Tommy Angelo in his shiny new vehicle. If you didn't get the chance with the original, or want to relive Tommy's tale, you should hop in too.

Mafia definitive Edition is a good remake. Visually, the game is sublime and the few small additions, especially concerning the driving are appreciable. If this 2020 version suffers from a lot of technical problems and cannot completely hide that the original game is 18 years old, the quality of writing and the mafia atmosphere offer a great moment of immersion in the underworld.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a remake of mixed flavours. Some elements are just as they used to be, and it's great. Some elements are just as they used to be, and it's awful. Mixture of aged mechanics and amazing graphics, new voices, great old story and some added, yet bad storylines, make it not such a perfect remake. But it sure is worth your time, whether you are a fan of the original or not. The moral of the story survived in all its glory, just be sure to focus your attention to the details where Mafia used to and still shines the most.

If you want to experience a Mafia title, there is no better choice than Mafia: Definitive Edition.

Remake requires a completely different gaming style and effective shooting is far from what I expected. [Issue#306]

Mafia Definitive Edition is a remarkable example that a remake game should show to gamers. But there are a few glitches that need to be fixed.

With a gorgeous graphical overhaul and smoother gameplay, Hangar 13 delivers what a remake should. Just don't expect as much content as a modern open-world game.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is Mafia at its best. As the series moved forward with open-worlds, it got less engaging with its gameplay. Going back to the first one is a reminder of the core of the series and what makes it great. The flaws show how out of date some elements are, but none of them are too offensive. This remaster is a shining example of what Hangar 13 can do with the IP moving forward.

A decent, if unremarkable, cover shooter, elevated by artful scene-setting and memorable set-pieces.

Impressive remake, not completely true to the original and with some anachronistic gameplay mechanisms, but it remains the best Mafia game of the series.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a tribute that fans of the original game who want to relive the adventures of Tommy Angelo will greatly enjoy. There are very funny moments along the journey thanks to the characters, who are so charming that they make us forget the monotonous mission design.

It would be great without some "engineering" problems. But I still can't say "this remake is bad". Don Salieri sends his regards.

What’s funny is that having played it, Mafia still has its charms. I’m sure part of it is nostalgia, but this is a story that transcends its cliches. I did and do care for Tommy. His wife and family are criminally underwritten but when he says he is fighting for them, I believe him. That makes the Definitive Edition something akin to a shot-for-shot remake. It manages to capture the charm of the original, imbues it with modern technology, and freezes all of its flaws in a sepia toned amber.

This is a full-fledged, honest to God remake. Some changes to the story will upset hardcore fans, but I think this approach is absolutely justified. Even though this remake is not as amazing as new versions of Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy 7, it’s still a worthy update.

The definitive edition of Mafia isn't perfect, but the experience is charming thanks to its ability to capture the soul of an exciting era to tell us one of the best crime stories in video games. The experience is enough to reinvigorate a game loved by many, but it falls short when it comes to reaching its full potential.

Those who loved the original will likely pick this up and enjoy every minute, although those who are entirely new to the first entry in the Mafia series may find it a little bizarre in its structure and storytelling. Even so, it still stands perhaps as the best of the Mafia Definitive Editions, and most importantly provides a coherent approach across a trilogy that has felt more than a little disparate at times.

Especially if you know and love the original game, Mafia Definitive Edition is pure joy. We follow the adventures of Tommy Angelo like we would follow those of a character of a good move form Coppola. Beyond nostalgia, we take part in a wonderful gangster story. Despite every issue the game suffers at the moment (random freezes, crashes...) and some terrible optimizations on PC and PS4, it's still a captivating game, but it's hard to ignore its flaws.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a curiosity. Newcomers to the game will find here a soft landing via a strong narrative and gameplay that will readily welcome them. Meanwhile, veterans will find enough changes to make another visit to Lost Heaven worth their while, though whether they will be pleased with the modernization is a separate question entirely. With one eye on the past and one on the present, Mafia: Definitive Edition is less dated than Destroy All Humans!, though it never feels as distinctive or necessary as Resident Evil 2. Whether that’s enough to coax you back will be up to you.

There's no denying that Mafia: Definitive Edition is a stunning remake when you consider everything that was done to re-introduce the 18-year-old game to a new audience. The changes made to the story, both on the page--as it fleshes out more of the cast--and in the performance booth, enhance what was already a captivating story, while the revamped visuals breathe new life into the city of Lost Heaven. Unfortunately, the rest of the game falters when you're the one in control. The archaic and repetitive combat hasn't evolved since Mafia II was released in 2010, and the years since have dated it even more. Mafia: Definitive Edition might be an improvement on the original game, but its modernisation stops short of the mark, resulting in an uneven game that squanders its enticing potential.

It'd be hard to classify something with this much emotional resonance, honesty, and maturity as "bad". However, it is a challenging game - the sort that you give a reserved recommendation, a real "it has some problems but I liked it" situation. If you're looking for a smooth, polished experience, then yes, you might want to leave this one sleeping with the fishes. However, if you're in the mood for a slow, moody mafia yarn with an excellent atmosphere and a compelling story, then Mafia's a decent contender.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is one of the most visually stunning games out there, but the beautiful city streets and cars are held back by the outdated shooting and fighting mechanics, as well as a story which never really manages to tell a heartfelt and unique mafia epic.

The remake stays true to the original, but storytelling and mechanics feel terribly outdated, giving you the impression that this is more of a remaster not reaching its full potential.