Users wrote

Overall, Mafia: Definitive Edition is praised for its strong, cinematic story and immersive 1930s atmosphere, with stunning visuals and a faithful remake of the original. Reviewers frequently highlight the atmosphere, soundtrack, and narrative as high points. However, they point out ongoing technical issues, including bugs and performance problems, and criticisms of the racing section and some driving controls. Some readers note the game is linear with limited side content, feeling more like a focused film than an open-world game. Overall, the remake is considered a high-quality, story-driven cinematic game that shines in narrative and presentation, especially on sale, with caveats about bugs and challenging racing.

Last updated: 2026-03-01

Most Mentioned Advantages

• Engaging story and atmosphere (45 mentions) - Reviewers consistently praise the story and atmosphere. The game presents a 1930s mob life with a cinematic feel and strong performances. The narrative is gripping and movie-like, pulling players through the city with steady pacing. The presentation feels like watching a crime film rather than playing an open-world game.
• Stunning visuals and modern graphics (28 mentions) - Remake updates the visuals with detailed environments, lighting, and city design. Players describe Lost Heaven as immersive and beautiful, with a polished overall look that feels modern while maintaining period charm. The graphics help convey the mood and era strongly.
• Faithful remake that respects the original (23 mentions) - Many reviewers say Mafia: Definitive Edition preserves the core mood, story, and spirit of the 2002 classic while adding modernized visuals and refined gameplay. The changes are generally seen as improvements rather than replacements, and fans of the original are encouraged to try the remake. The result is a remake that feels faithful and respectful.
• Strong audio design and music (16 mentions) - Reviewers highlight the soundtrack and voice acting as a strength, with era-appropriate jazz and solid performances supporting the mood. The audio design contributes to immersion and helps reinforce the 1930s setting. The music and voices help convey emotion and atmosphere, making the experience feel cinematic.

Most Mentioned Disadvantages

• Technical issues and bugs (24 mentions) - A significant number of reviews report bugs, glitches, and performance problems. Players note FPS drops, stuttering, occasional crashes, and other stability issues that affect immersion. These issues are repeatedly mentioned as detracting from otherwise strong presentation.
• Hard racing segment (classic mode) (22 mentions) - The racing mission on classic difficulty is described as extremely challenging and frustrating by many players. It can require many attempts, and some reviews mention there is little tolerance for mistakes. Some players wish there were a way to skip it.
• Short length and limited side content (20 mentions) - Many reviews note the game is relatively short and lacks extensive side content. Players feel the experience ends quickly and may not justify full price for some.
• Driving and gunplay controls feel clunky (18 mentions) - Several reviewers describe vehicle handling and shooting as heavy or awkward. The controls can feel unresponsive or overbearing in action sequences, detracting from the otherwise polished presentation.
• Open world is not fully utilized; limited replay value (14 mentions) - Some comments point out that the city is not a true open world with many activities, which reduces replayability for players who enjoy exploration and side tasks. The focus on the main story may feel restrictive to some.

Compared Games

• Grand Theft Auto (GTA) (7 mentions) - Some reviewers note Mafia: Definitive Edition is more linear and story-driven than Grand Theft Auto's open-world approach. They describe it as focused on narrative rather than open-world exploration.
• Mafia II (4 mentions) - Several reviews compare the remake to Mafia II, discussing differences in open-world content and pacing; opinions vary.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 (3 mentions) - A few critics compare the cinematic storytelling and atmosphere to Red Dead Redemption 2, praising the narrative mood.