Mafia III Review (PS4): The disappointment of the year? - Game Blog FR

Game Blog FR: We are in 1968, in the fictional town - but strongly inspired by New Orleans - New Bordeaux. The hero, Clay Lincoln, Vietnam veteran, performs some jobs for Sammy, head of the American black underworld of the corner.

[DerekFlint007]

My experience of the game so far. Played for 5 to 6 hours so far.

Pro's

Hangar 13 have done a splendid job capturing the atmosphere and authenticity of the era.
The story and cut scenes are very well implemented.
The music is (In my opinion) terrific and fits right in with the time frame.
Hangar 13 took a brave and bold decision to address the racial undertones of the era and they didn't shirk to pander to pc nonsense.
The main leads are engaging.
Melee attacks are brutally satisfying.
Shotguns pack a punch.

Cons

Technically the game is a mess.
The AI borders on moronic.
The gunplay almost feels broken.
The controls are awkward and cumbersome.
The missions are repetitive, tedious and lack variety.
The graphics can go from looking incredible, to looking like a PS3 title.
Mission checkpoints are frustrating.

I'm not in any way a reviewer but after approximately 6 hours of gameplay here is my score.

As of right now - 6 out of 10.

If the numerous technical issues were to be addressed - pushing towards an 8.

Edit - version i'm playing is PS4 with the 2.6 patch installed. Edit 2 - Developers edited to Hangar 13, as i got it mixed up and originally had it down as 2k. Thanks to the guys below for pointing my error out.

[seanpitt23]

2K games only published the game it's hangar 13 that developed and made the game. Me personally have never heard of hangar 13 until mafia 3 that's why the game isn't has good has it could of been.

They just not up to par with the likes of rockstar.

[showtimefolks]

The reason you have not heard about hanger 13 is because they were started by 2k in 2014. Some of the members are ex Lucas arts developers

So 2014 2k wanted to create another studio which turned into hanger 13. Hanger 13 wanted to do mafia 3 on their own tech/engine. Right now we are in 2016, there is simply no way for a new studio to start in 2014 and make a engine/AAA blockbuster in just over 2 years

Development for AAA games especially those starting from ground up is 3-4 years

Every review and every in progress reviewer has had the same complaints and same pros and cons

The first hour of the game is thrilling
The setting is great
The story main missions are actually good
The music is great

Cons

The enemy AI is broken because it can't be that stupid
Main missions are held back by repetitive/tedious side missions that you must do to unlock main missions
Lack of verity is simply absurd
It's an open world with not much to do
The technical issues are everywhere

You know I would have taken a mafia 3 game which was only 12-15 hours long but was focused on making sure it was a great experience. But instead they went after open world and forgot everything else

Mafia 1 master piece at the time of the release and still one of the best stories told in video games
Mafia 2 was great with some really awkward game designs like having to go back home to start a new mission

Mafia 3 tried fixing what wasn't broken

6.5-7/10 will be the overall average

I will pick it up in summer 2017 and hopefully by than the developers will fix majority of the issues

The enemy AI has bothered me since the game was shown the first time. I left a comment of a YouTube videos and I was told I know nothing why is it that gamers hate criticism about a game they maybe looking forward too but still issues had been there all along

And the game was never shown in a open public demo. 2k always invited someone and had a controller demo to show or play

Serv

Yes no doubt. But is it too much to ask for a game to simply launch when it's actually finished? As the tech for consoles us getting stronger why are we getting more average games than in the past

[morganfell]

Captain Smith was not behind the wheel of the Titanic when it collided with the iceberg but he was responsible. Producers and especially publishers that hold the purse strings have the ultimate say so as regards a game's direction and state. 2K are responsible for this more than anyone.

[Servbot41]

@showtimefolks
"It's an open wo led with not much to do"
Seems that this is the case with a lot of modern open-world games these days. The Witcher 3, Elder Scrolls, Fallout and GTA5 just set the bar too high I suppose.

[Errorist76]

Wasn't it 2K Czech who made the last games? So this was a different developer this time?,

[Errorist76]

Have

[freshslicepizza]

i'll wait for a few patches before i get it but the disapponmitment of the year has to go to no man's sky not this game.

[Servbot41]

For sure. I'm sitting here wondering "did this reviewer just forget the biggest blunder of the generation?"

[Errorist76]

Say the two guys who haven't even played one of both games.

[DeadlyOreo]

Moldybread the Microsoft fanboy 😂 so cringy.

[freshslicepizza]

i played mafia 2 and also no mans sky (but got a full refund from steam) but if it makes you feel better i didnt ok.

[Yui_Suzumiya]

I thought Homefront: The Revolution would be the biggest disappointment of the year.

[Servbot41]

@Errorist76 I'd be glad to show you my PS4 account to prove it.
EDIT: And your only rebuttal is downvotes. Stay classy.

[husomc]

The music is the best thing about this game. I personally think that the difference between cutscene and gameplay is too big.

[Errorist76]

Such a pity...another rushed job it seems. So as I see it the game wasn't developed by 2K Czech this time, am I right?!

[seanpitt23]

Yes it was hangar 13 that developed this game not 2K Czech!

[Soc5]

Wow sounds like a mess, Man, 2016 and games still have crappy AI, why is that? AI hasn't changed in the last 10 years. Is it because AI really hogs up most of the CPU power? You would think we would be having AI driven games by now. Weird...

[TGGJustin]

Yep as ya'll see now we weren't the only ones who felt like Mafia 3 was a 5/10. Don't be surprised when you see more reviewers give it the same thing.

[FullmetalRoyale]

While I'm sure plenty of people were rude, what you are doing seems pretty unprofessional to me. *Posting in a different review's comment section to justify your site's review, to be specific. You aren't going to see a McDonald's employee walk into Wendy's and say "See? Their service sucks, too!"
I am not implying that your site does bad work, nor am I saying that your review needed to be justified to begin with, just making a point.

[SCW1982]

Very unprofessional.

[DiceAndRice]

I guess people who were hyping this up as a GOTY and defended it after initial negative reactions were wrong again. How many times will this happen in this generation of games?

[Hoffmann]

Often.

Because people don't learn and still pre-order these games, buy them just because the name, and some are just happy with repetitive shit.

[Servbot41]

The other issue being people not willing to admit they made a mistake when involving purchases. "I paid $60 and defended the game, if I admit I screwed up I admit I'm dumb" is pretty much the logic going on in their subconscious. Happens with big money items usually, which is why you'll never see a bad review of $1200 diamond-plated Monster HDMI cables even though they offer nothing over some monoprice brand.

[WellyUK]

or people just like it...

[nucky64]

no. some are just happy playing the game - the "repetitive shit", as you call it, is your hangup.
don't insult others who like something you don't.

edit: at servbot41 - I would admit it - I bought modern warfare 3 for 30 dollars and it was a mistake - I didn't like it. but don't think I'm going to let a few internet nuts decide what I like or dislike.....and I like mafia 3.

[Adrian_v01]

Interestingly, in psychology that falls under the category of cognitive dissonance. It's the need of human brain to create a consistency in action and result.

Say Arthur buys a game for 60$ and Mike buys the same game for 30 $. The game is objectively crap. People of the Mike category will more likely accept the fact that they lost money on the crap game, while the brains of people from the Arthur category will make them think that the game is actually good and ignore all its negatives, just to justify the action of buying it and avoiding stress.

People who haven't bought the game at all are free of these brain tricks and that's why a big percent of people criticizing objectively bad games are those who haven't even bought them, but rented them or informed themselves through online streams and articles. This mentioned above can clearly be seen on N4G :D

[nucky64]

i have never defended this (or any) game. I'm loving mafia 3 so far - it's as good as I thought it would be. I'm not sure what you and all the haters problems are but it doesn't matter to me.
don't play it if you don't want to - it doesn't affect me from having a great time with it.

[BlakHavoc]

Good for you!👏 everyone should adopt this mentality. Unfortunately fan boys exist cause when ppl aren't fortunate enough to enjoy something, they try to downplay it. Obviously some truly don't like mafia 3 but what's the point of trying to force your opinion on ppl.

[1nsomniac]

I've played the game & I'm a very harsh reviewer but even I think it's worth more than a 5/10.

[Hoffmann]

I guess depending on your own preferences in games it might be a 5-7 game.

It is in no way a competition for GTA and not even for the last 3 Saints Row (main series) games.

[1nsomniac]

Give over, it's a million times better than all the Saints Row games put together excluding the first one (which was great).

I slammed it for it's review embargo saying it was clear it was going to be completely rubbish. After getting to play an actual copy on PC though I'll hold my hand up & say I was wrong. It has issues just like every other game that releases these days but it is absolutely not a bad game by any standards.

[nucky64]

you certainly can think that - but I disagree. saints row games were horrible and I'm liking the story in mafia 3 (so far) much more than the story for the last 2 gta games.

[Skankinruby]

Makes me sad, I'll see what other reviews say but I might be waiting for a price drop

[mogwaii]

Game is bunk!
Learn from GTA or don't make open world crime games. Done.

[Psychotica]

Ok, that's absurd. GTA is one of the most successful games out there and along with Mafia 3 are a ton of fun to play.

[Servbot41]

Its not absurd at all. If you are going to try your hand in a genre that has one reigning champ, you learn what made them successful and build on it, and also learn what shortcomings it may have and fix them. That's how Uncharted went from "Dude Raider" to multiple game-of-the-year awards across the series. And on the flipside, that's why all the Monster Hunter clones dumped onto the Vita fall waaaaaay short of the amount of sales each Monster Hunter release generates.

[Psychotica]

It absurd, because mogwaii changed his original post which suggested GTA was a terrible game.

[BlakHavoc]

Why would you want more of the same?...

[Psychotica]

I am loving the game, well worth the money for me.

[daBUSHwhaka]

This game is terrible.A 5/10 is generous..... bad,bad,bad

[mafiahajeri]

Im buying the game regardless of what reviewers say, never cared for other peoples opinions. More so when we see the practices these so called journalists practice today. Its hilarious to think this is a legit review. 5/10? Seriously? Too low my friend if it was a 6 I might have believed you weren't baiting. Now look at other websites give the game a 7-8 and get absolutely no traffic, its pathetic how game journalism works these days.

Basically its: Jump the gun review + Controversial score = Traffic... Pathetic.

[mogwaii]

If you appreciate crap games and like to support those that make them then go for your life, yay for you.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

The game might not be as good as people hoped but in no way is it crap that's just absurd

[Servbot41]

Is it controversial though? The game is locked to 30 FPS on PC, there's already montage videos of glitches, sound issues are cropping up for everyone, the control scheme is pretty backwards with no way to fix it on a controller, and they hid all of this with a ridiculous review copy embargo set to the day of release.

[Moe-Gunz]

Been playing and doesn't feel like a 5/10 game to me. More like 7 in my opinion.

[WellyUK]

Played the game most of yesterday haven't had any bugs so far and have only noticed the poor lighting effects at times, other than that game has a solid story so far and the gameplay is decent as well, its far from a disappointment when your not expecting the best game ever... but then again that's gaming now everyone expects every new release to be a 10/10 a masterpiece when that stops we can stop saying everything is over hyped or a disappointment.

[TheEvilResident1997]

Can't get any worser then No mans sky.

[Errorist76]

Worser...

[Relientk77]

Ok I want all the reviews to pour in now. Im getting worried

[brewin]

Idk if its the ps4 version or what, but on the xbox one s im having a great time 5 hours in. There are some glitches here and there but its an open world game you have to expect bugs and technical issues to crop up. Story is great, on foot gameplay and gunplay feel great. Driving can feel a bit heavy, but thats the era of cars not a tech issue. I noticed the inside the car view fixes some of the pop up in the environment when driving. But the variety of environments and size of the map are great. The bugs can easily be fixed with a patch. Story is a 9 gameplay is a solid 8 graphics get a solid 8 driving is a 7. Overall this game is a solid 8 so far about 5 to 6 hours in on xbox one s. Its not gta so dont play it that way. Its mafia, you gotta play it realistic. Dont just drive around pissing around play to advance the story its great!

[nucky64]

I'm playing the ps4 version - played for around 10 hours so far and no glitches at all. you can't trust the internet for opinions on anything (movies, politics, sports, games.....etc...) it's all hate all the time for most people who go online.
edit- just played another 5 hours - no issues.

[brewin]

Right on. Maybe the patch eliminated those issues. No reason the ps4 should run this game worse than the x one. Im guessing the bad reviews are all before the patch cuz this game seems fine to me. I only rented it from Redbox for x1 cuz ps4 version was out. Ill be buying this for sure its a hell of a game. Loving the story so far.

[Servbot41]

"its an open world game you have to expect bugs and technical issues to crop up"
No, this shouldn't be standard. Open world as a "genre" isn't some brand new concept, it's existed since the PS1. Developers should be able to get it right more often than not, but sadly that isn't the case. Why would they though, as people keep preordering even after getting burned repeatedly; and hell, they even defend getting burned.

[ShinRon]

No Mans Sky has got the biggest disappointment award on lock.

[Servbot41]

In terms of games released, absolutely without a doubt. Almost nothing could surpass that bucket of deceit and failure.

[LoveSpuds]

Well, I am 10 hours in and so far I have had a great time. I will concede that the AI is a bit simplistic but otherwise I am loving it.

Yet again, these kind of reviews simply reinforce why I never ever listen to reviews, particularly when they have a smell of clickbait about them like this one.

[Clown_Syndr0me]

I'm loving Mafia 3. Graphics are bad at times but apart from that I really like it.

[marioJP87]

'No Man's Sky' has taken the crown as disappointment of the year.

[Servbot41]

More like the disappointment of the generation.

[stonecold3]

i did have problem with the guard part early in the game he wouldnt follow the guard at the back there and i had to go and come back to that scene and it worked ok from there and on the road i saw a car in the air might have been a glitch but im enjoying this game

[Phill-Spencer]

It sad that 2k didn't hold back the game a little longer to fix the technical issues it has and deliver more variety when it comes to missions. From the reviews i saw the storytelling is top notch and the graphics are good enough. Guess they wanted to release it before the holidays to earn some extra bucks but now me (and alot of others) will hold out to buy it when it's fixed or just pass it.

[Chumdiddy]

I don't trust games without demos, let alone a review embargo. This was 2K literally saving pre-orders and midnight sales. If a bunch of 5/10 reviews dropped a couple weeks ago they'd have take a monster-sized loss on cancelled preorders and potential customers.

I'd rather a company delay 20+ times than release a trash title they've hyped for years. Maybe this wasn't a game time could fix but even if another YEAR made the game a 7/10 I'd rather they do that than a review embargo before dropping a trash game.

[Brohan]

Shit can't even trust these reviews I swear they are just ready to throw any bullshit review as soon as they can.

[Harmonizer]

Was planning on getting Mafia 3, but the last minute FPS fuck-up kept me away from it and i bought Gears 4 instead. Game runs butter-smooth on PC (honestly surprised since its a windows title and not on steam).

Dodged a bullet.

[ILikeGamesYeah]

I thought people had to be hyped for a game in the first place for it to be a disappointment. Looked as bland as the other Mafia games

[Lionsguard]

I'm not entirely surprised considering what a load of garbage Mafia II was.

[daynnight365]

Ok now you're just trying to be edgy. Mafia 2 is superb, it is known

[Lionsguard]

Gross, how could anyone like that game? The world was lifeless, the missions were boring. The game was short. There were no real choices to make. You could have literally done just the main missions and none of the side missions and be done with the game in just a few hours. It was a linear game masquerading as an open world game. The AI was terrible, the only time the cops cold keep up was when you were in such a POS car that it took 5 minutes just to hit max speed. If you were in a fast car, the cops were a non-issue. Some of the missions were fun but only because it had you go in guns blazing. This game also had you picking up boxes and selling cigarettes. Doing side missions and stocking up guns were completely unnecessary considering this game pretty much robs you of all your guns and money on multiple occasions. Which meant if you spent any time doing those lame carjacking missions, you were just wasting your time. Finally, after all that, the game ends so abruptly, it was as if you were playing GTA 5 and all of sudden the game ends after the first heist. MAFIA 2 is 10 chapters short of a full game. I only spent a few bucks on it during a Steam sale and I still feel ripped off.

[Tzuno]

The game is a pile of shit full of bugs, that's it, i said it, tired of PC version.They want 60$ for what? it's a spit in peoples face, glad piratery exists.

[NotanotherReboot]

Nothing good really to play on PS4 this holiday season. Nothing on the level of Gears and Forza

[daynnight365]

Nope, you're right.
I wish sony would release a virtual reality device already so it can turn the industry on its head

[NotanotherReboot]

you mean a VR headset with a bunch of mediocre launch titles?

[MacTastic]

@Frinker, below, new experiences that is funny I am pretty sure those are the same experiences from a year ago.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Yeah because people can't still buy uc 4,ratchet and clank,mlb the show,gravity rush,valkyria chronicles,odin sphere from earlier this year or the last guardian plus the megaton mutli plats releasing the next two months. Don't be a fanboy dude its pathetic and paints you has some lonely loser who has no life and gets his jollys by cheerleading a company who doesn't know you or give a crap about you. Oh and your comment about psvr was really pathetic considering the praise it's been getting especially for having a varied launch slate with a bunch of good titles.

[NotanotherReboot]

I'm not an Xbox fanboy. I don't own an Xbox. I own a gaming Pc, a Ps4 an a Wii U. Also, that;s nice for people haven't played those games, but the fact remains for us PS4 owners who played them, there's nothing good this holiday season. On Xbox/Windows MS are giving us Forza and Gears, both critically acclaimed exclusives. New experiences, not stuff from earlier this year.

[oof46]

Remember, guys. Reviews are subjective. Some people may be able to overlook the bad AI, the bugs, the controls, etc, and some may not.

I like seeing a wide range of scores, if a game isn't "perfect" (please note the air quotes). I'd rather have reviewers use the whole scale instead of everyone giving a game an 8.

[SegaGamer]

Well reading these comments it is pretty obvious that people use reviews to make their mind up for them. You wouldn't think that people actually have a mind of their own.

Maybe i should make reviews to get people to like the games i like, it seem's like a very easy thing to do judging by the comments on here.

[Skankinruby]

What the hell did I just read? Not only can this author not type in proper English but failed to make a single definitive statement against the game. Just 'we just weren't feeling it' crap. I can't believe I rewarded this garbage with a click. Haven't played mafia 3 yet but these pathetic reviews are making me want to more and more.

[daynnight365]

Fyi, it was translated

[BushLitter]

lol

[daynnight365]

Another bobo website review. Call me when the heavyweights submit their reviews

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

Guess It will be a gamefly rental. I find it hard for this to be a 5 out of 10 but I have yet to play it. Most game review nowadays are BS. I'd rather try it myself.

[guyjean]

Can't be worse than No Man's Sky.

[d0x360]

How am I supposed to make an informed decision based in a badly translated review lol. Oh the score? No I dont care for scores.

[Eulderink]

meh every open world game is boring, after you complete the "campagne". Gta 5 and so on are no different...
Just a few mini-games will not keep me playing. Sure i could go on a killing spree, but it's just not the same with other people. I wish they just stuck with the mafia 1 and 2 camp but this seems more like SOM and i dropped that game cause everything felt like assasins creed + the new bosses were just boring after killing them so many times..

[Jayszen]

The game is a 7 out of 10 initially but goes down fast after the first couple of hours. I suspect the game is being punished by reviewers having expectations before the release that the game has failed to live up to. The first couple of hours are actually quite good but it does being repetitive and does fail to deliver the kind of experience we were led to believe. The fact is that when the developer / publisher does not allow reviews before release is usually a sure sign the game has issues. Take 2 have not done themselves any favours as next time we will simply not buy their games until well after release and the reviews are all in. They have joined Ubisoft, EA and Activision in that sense.

Update: This game is not worth it. Take 2 may sort out the issues eventually but life is too short and I cannot be bothered any longer. It is such a pity as the story had a lot going for it but has been ruined by the poor gameplay and the technical issues. Take 2 should be ashamed.

[TC731]

Disappointment of the year? Nah, that's No Man's Lie.

[Elvfam511]

Crazy thing is. Reviews did the same thing to mafia 1 and 2, but I enjoyed them a whole lot.

[Mr Marvel]

No. This game is awesome!

[Manubiggs]

I'm over ten hours in and still enjoying it a lot. It has it small issues , but I still find myself wanting to go back to New Bordeaux. I can understand how not everyone will like it.

[BushLitter]

There are a lot of bugs but the story is engaging. Biggest bug so far is the inability to equip molotov cocktails. IT doesn't even show up on the weapon wheel even though I have used them before, and when trying to purchase them at the arms dealer I'm told that I already have the max capacity

[SuperJay182]

I wouldn't say 5/10... more 7/10... playing it on PC which is quite amusing at times... the main one for me is I'm using a ultra wide monitor - the game will run it, but the initial menu is an absolute mess and most comically: the taking damage blood around the edges, only does the centre of the screen (the 1920 aspect) so I get undamaged edges haha...

I'm quite enjoying, bit repetitive but I loved AC1 even though it was like that, guess I like boring repetitive stuff lol

Hope the PC patch comes asap this weekend

[Jinx20001]

Played about 4 hours now and the game would be ok if it wasnt such a mess. The bugs are everywhere. Graphics are poor, reflections terrible, npcs walking into railings constantly, you cant bloody climb out of the rivers most of the time its so frustrating, the cars fly in the air on impact with little damage, you can slam every sole on the street into the pavement and nobody fights back. The fog and blur is ugly.

I fully expected this game to be great and the story is all good. Cutscenes awesome, facial animations on point, the rest tho... boy what a let down. This game needed another year in production and it would have been a gta beater for sure .

The music tho... Aweeeesome. I just let my son drive around while i enjoy the music :)

[DaGamingKing]

Why do people insist on trying to destroy a game with crap reviews when the majority seems to find it acceptable and for some, very good indeed? Its just the same old sites out there that try and garner hits by dogging on a decent game. Sure its no 10/10, buts its no 5/10 either.

[TheOptimist]

Wow, the list grows- FarCry Primal (Not surprising), Quantum Break, No Man's Sky, Deus Ex, Gears of War (For some) and now Mafia 3. Wouldn't be surprised to see Watch Dogs 2 and The Last Guardian join the list. This gen seriously sucks for AAA gaming. No game till now has innovated anything and old concepts with exceptions have been thrashed. Seriously makes me wonder the rest of 2016 as well as the rest of the generation. We aregoing to see the same things in different skins. Looks like Blood & Wine as GOTY for me. Heck that DLC is longer and has a better story than all games this year. Sad generation of gaming.

[hiawa23]

Meh, I am loving the game, so that is all that matters to me.

[Bolts]

Mafia 3 is not even close to No Man Lie when it comes to disappointment.

[ToneBlanco]

"Buggy as all hell, dated graphics, simplistic and clunky controls... This game was nowhere near ready for release.

Furthermore, this isn't even about the Mafia. It's more like a Black Lives Matter Terrorist Simulator. "

"White Guilt 3 is nothing more then an attempt from SJW leftist mind drones to infiltrate another form of media (video games) to push their anti white agenda. "
-Metacritic
Lol seen this coming.