Info about Mafia III: Definitive Edition:

Official game description:
2K ACCOUNT BENEFITS
===================
Sign up for a free 2K Account to add these items to your in-game collections:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*   _Mafia: The Old Country_ - "Garzia Tumulto" Race Car
*   _Mafia: Definitive Edition_ - Black Cats Motorcycle Pack
*   _Mafia II: Definitive Edition_ - Made Man Pack
*   _Mafia III: Definitive Edition_ - The Classico Outfit & IL Duca Handgun
By signing up to receive newsletters and promotional messaging related to the _Mafia_ franchise from 2K and its affiliates using your 2K Account, you can also add the engraved "Lupara Tradituri" Shotgun to your in-game arsenal in _Mafia: The Old Country_. 
_Each reward requires an internet connection and a 2K Account linked to the applicable Mafia title. One of each reward per 2K Account. Reward will be automatically entitled in the applicable game. Void where prohibited. Terms apply._
Mafia: Trilogy - Complete Your Collection
=========================================
Includes main games and DLC releases.  
**Mafia: Definitive Edition**  
Re-made from the ground up, rise through the ranks of the mafia during the Prohibition-era. After an inadvertent brush with the mob, Tommy Angelo is reluctantly thrust into the world of organized crime. Initially uneasy about falling in with the Salieri family, the rewards become too big to ignore.  
**Mafia II: Definitive Edition**  
Remastered in HD, live the life of a gangster during the Golden-era of organized crime. War hero Vito Scaletta becomes entangled with the mob in hopes of paying his father’s debts. Alongside his buddy Joe, Vito works to prove himself, climbing the family ladder with crimes of larger reward, status and consequence.  
**Mafia III: Definitive Edition**  
After years of combat in Vietnam, Lincoln Clay’s surrogate family, the black mob, is betrayed and killed by the Italian Mafia. Lincoln builds a new family on the ashes of the old, blazing a path of revenge through the Mafioso responsible.
About the Game
==============
**Mafia III: Definitive Edition** includes the main game, all Story DLC (Faster, Baby!, Stones Unturned, Sign of the Times) and Bonus Packs (Family Kick-Back Pack and Judge, Jury & Executioner Weapons Pack) bundled in one place for the first time.  
Part three of the Mafia crime saga - 1968, New Bordeaux, LA.  
After years of combat in Vietnam, Lincoln Clay knows this truth: family isn’t who you’re born with, it’s who you die for. When his surrogate family is wiped out by the Italian Mafia, Lincoln builds a new family and blazes a path of revenge through the Mafioso responsible.
NEW BORDEAUX, LA:
-----------------
A vast world ruled by the mob and detailed with the sights and sounds of the era
A LETHAL ANTI-HERO:
-------------------
Be Lincoln Clay, orphan and Vietnam veteran hell bent on revenge for the deaths of his surrogate family
REVENGE YOUR WAY:
-----------------
Choose your own play-style; brute force, blazing guns or stalk-and-kill tactics, to tear down the Mafia
A NEW FAMILY ON THE ASHES OF THE OLD:
-------------------------------------
Build a new criminal empire your way by deciding which lieutenants you reward, and which you betray
Own Mafia III:
--------------
Definitive Edition to unlock Lincoln’s Army Jacket and Car in both Mafia and Mafia II Definitive Editions

Release date: 19 May, 2020

Categories: Single-player Story, Open-World Exploration, Third-Person Shooter, Stealth Gameplay, Territory Management, Driving Simulation, Moral Decision-Making, Action Sandbox


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Compelling Story & Characters (weight 0.48): The story, characters, and overall narrative presentation are consistently highlighted as the game's strongest assets. Players praise the compelling plot, well-developed characters, and immersive storytelling, often stating these elements compensate for any gameplay shortcomings.
- Enjoyable Gameplay & Improved Graphics (weight 0.48): Players generally find the game enjoyable, citing satisfying gunplay, improved graphics (especially in the Definitive Edition), and overall solid gameplay mechanics. Many were pleasantly surprised by the game's quality, especially given initial negative reviews.
- Series Evolution & Improvements (weight 0.33): The game is seen as a significant evolution for the Mafia series, offering more content, improved gameplay fluidity, and better graphics compared to its predecessors. Reviewers appreciate its unique approach while still connecting to the established lore, particularly through characters like Vito.
- Authentic 1960s Atmosphere (weight 0.33): The game excels in its atmospheric portrayal of 1960s New Bordeaux (New Orleans), authentically depicting the era's social issues, including racism and corruption. The detailed world-building and immersive environment contribute significantly to the player's experience.
- Excellent DLC Content & Value (weight 0.21): The included DLCs are highly praised for adding significant value, variety, and often superior storytelling compared to the main game. They are seen as essential for breaking up repetition and enhancing the overall experience, making the game a great value, especially on sale.
- Outstanding Period Soundtrack (weight 0.15): The game's soundtrack is almost universally lauded as exceptional, featuring a rich selection of licensed 1960s classic rock, soul, and blues tracks. It significantly enhances the atmosphere and is often cited as one of the game's best features.
- Varied Content & Replayability (weight 0.1): The game offers a good amount of content and variety in its missions and gameplay approaches, allowing for different playstyles (stealth or aggressive). This contributes to its replayability and overall engagement.
- Cinematic Main Missions & Cutscenes (weight 0.09): The main missions and their accompanying cutscenes are highly praised for their cinematic quality, strong direction, and engaging storytelling. These elements are crucial in driving the narrative and immersing players.
- Engaging Open-World Crime Experience (weight 0.09): The game successfully delivers an open-world crime experience, allowing players to feel like a rising mob boss. The mechanics of taking over rackets and managing underbosses are satisfying, providing a fresh take on the Mafia genre.
- Brutal & Satisfying Combat (weight 0.07): Combat is highlighted as brutal, satisfying, and fluid, with particular praise for melee kills and the responsive cover system. The gunplay is considered a significant improvement and contributes to the game's intense action.

Common complaints:
- Numerous Technical Issues & Bugs (weight 1): Players consistently report a high volume of technical issues, including frequent crashes (especially on startup or when switching to fullscreen), persistent bugs (some game-breaking and unfixed for years), poor optimization leading to low FPS and stuttering, and various graphical glitches. These issues significantly hinder playability and overall enjoyment.
- Repetitive & Grindy Gameplay (weight 0.81): The core gameplay loop, particularly the district takeover and side missions, is overwhelmingly repetitive and monotonous. Players feel forced into a constant grind of similar tasks (e.g., clearing outposts, destroying businesses, interrogating informants) to progress the story, leading to boredom and artificial lengthening of the game.
- Lost Mafia Identity (weight 0.44): Many long-time fans feel the game deviates significantly from the established 'Mafia' series identity. It's criticized for abandoning the linear, character-driven storytelling and unique atmosphere of its predecessors in favor of a generic open-world, GTA/Ubisoft-style formula, leading to a loss of charm and immersion.
- Weak Story & Characters (weight 0.26): The story and characters are frequently criticized for being underdeveloped, unengaging, and predictable. The main protagonist, Lincoln Clay, is often described as one-dimensional and difficult to empathize with, while the narrative itself is perceived as thin, stretched out by repetitive gameplay, and lacking emotional depth or memorable antagonists.
- Empty Open World (weight 0.13): The open world is widely considered empty, lifeless, and lacking meaningful activities outside of the repetitive main objectives. Players feel there's little to do or explore, and the design choice to make it open-world ultimately detracts from the narrative and overall experience.
- Poor AI Performance (weight 0.09): The AI for both enemies and pedestrians is consistently described as unintelligent, often leading to easy combat encounters and immersion-breaking behaviors. This lack of challenge and realistic interaction diminishes the gameplay experience.
- Problematic Driving Mechanics (weight 0.08): Driving mechanics are frequently criticized for poor physics, unrealistic collision detection, and issues with NPC behavior (e.g., pedestrians jumping in front of cars, cars spawning or flying erratically). These problems make traversal frustrating and detract from the driving experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Repetitive Territory Takeover Loop (weight 0.18): The core gameplay loop revolves around taking over districts by performing repetitive tasks like damaging businesses, interrogating informants, and eliminating sub-bosses to lure out and defeat main bosses. Players then assign these territories to their underbosses, influencing the game's ending.
- Revenge Story & Racial Themes (weight 0.12): The central narrative follows Lincoln Clay, an African-American Vietnam veteran, on a brutal quest for revenge against the Italian mafia who betrayed and murdered his adoptive family. The story prominently features themes of racial discrimination in 1968 New Bordeaux.
- Departure from Traditional Mafia (weight 0.12): Mafia III significantly deviates from previous Mafia titles by adopting an open-world, GTA-like structure focused on territory control, rather than the linear, story-driven Italian Mafia narratives of its predecessors. This change in formula has led to mixed opinions among fans of the series.
- Open World Structure (weight 0.08): The game features a large, seamless open world that allows for free exploration and a non-linear progression of missions. While it offers freedom, some players noted that the open-world activities often lead to repetitive quest structures.
- Effective Stealth Mechanics (weight 0.05): Stealth mechanics are a viable and often enjoyable approach to missions, allowing players to clear areas using silenced weapons and takedowns. While effective, some found the AI predictable, limiting the variety of stealth encounters.
- Slow-Motion & Special Abilities (weight 0.05): The game incorporates a slow-motion mechanic for both shooting and driving, similar to features found in GTA V. Players can also access various special abilities and call-in services via a radial menu.
- Vehicle Variety & Customization (weight 0.04): The game includes a variety of period-appropriate vehicles with customization options and different handling modes. While driving is generally arcade-like, some players found the car physics to be less than ideal, describing them as 'soapy'.
- Authentic 1968 New Bordeaux Setting (weight 0.04): The game is set in a meticulously recreated 1968 New Bordeaux, a fictional city inspired by New Orleans. This setting is crucial to the game's narrative, particularly its depiction of racial tensions and Jim Crow laws.
- Weak Police AI (weight 0.03): Police AI is often criticized for being easily escapable due to static pursuit zones and predictable behavior. While cops can spawn visibly, their overall effectiveness in chases and combat is considered low, making evasion simple.
- Action-Adventure Shooter Genre (weight 0.02): Mafia III is primarily an open-world, third-person action-adventure shooter. It draws inspiration from games like GTA and Far Cry, focusing on cover-based gunplay and vehicle driving as core gameplay elements.
- High Violence & Player Freedom (weight 0.02): The game allows for a high degree of violence, including the ability to kill civilians without significant penalty. Players can engage in various forms of combat, from gunfights to melee takedowns, and target specific enemy types like racists.

Performance notes:
- Numerous Bugs & Glitches (weight 0.15): The game is plagued by numerous bugs, ranging from minor visual glitches and audio issues to critical problems like mission progression blockers, infinite loading screens, and frequent crashes.
- Fullscreen Mode Issues (weight 0.15): A common and severe issue is the game's inability to run properly in fullscreen mode, often leading to crashes, black screens, or freezes. Players frequently resort to workarounds like windowed mode or disabling fullscreen optimizations.
- Inconsistent Graphics Quality (weight 0.13): Graphics quality is inconsistent, with some players noting blurriness, outdated textures, and visual artifacts. While some improvements were made in the Definitive Edition, the overall visual fidelity is considered mediocre by many.
- Poor PC Performance & Optimization (weight 0.12): Many players report significant performance issues, including low and unstable FPS, stuttering, and frequent crashes, even on high-end systems. This indicates poor optimization for modern hardware.
- Startup Workarounds Needed (weight 0.02): Some startup issues and crashes can be resolved by bypassing the game's launcher, running in compatibility mode (e.g., Windows 7), or as an administrator.
- Variable Performance Across Systems (weight 0.02): The game's performance varies significantly across different PC configurations, with some modern systems struggling while others, including the Steam Deck, can achieve playable frame rates with specific settings.

Recommendations:
- Divisive for Mafia fans (weight 0.27): Player reception of Mafia III is heavily influenced by its relationship to previous Mafia titles. Many fans of Mafia I and II found Mafia III to be a departure from the series' core identity, particularly due to its open-world design and repetitive gameplay. However, some players, especially those who approached it as a standalone game or enjoyed its unique elements, found it to be a worthwhile experience, often recommending it as part of the trilogy.
- Buy only on deep sale (weight 0.24): A recurring theme is the recommendation to purchase the game only when it's heavily discounted, often as part of a bundle. Many players feel the game's full price is not justified due to its flaws, but it becomes a worthwhile purchase at a significantly reduced cost. Conversely, a strong sentiment against buying the game at all, or at full price, is also present, citing various issues.
- Generally positive, worth playing (weight 0.19): Despite its criticisms, a significant portion of players found the game to be enjoyable and worth playing. Many recommend it, often with caveats about its flaws, but emphasize that it offers a good experience, especially for its price or if approached with tempered expectations. Review scores from players often hover around average (6-7/10), indicating a mixed but generally positive reception for those who stick with it.
- Repetitive gameplay and bugs (weight 0.14): The game is widely criticized for its repetitive gameplay loop, particularly the side quests and open-world activities, which many found tedious and unengaging. Technical issues like bugs, glitches, and crashes are also frequently mentioned, significantly detracting from the experience for many players. Some even suggest skipping the game entirely or watching story compilations instead of playing.
- Strong story and characters (weight 0.02): One of the most consistently praised aspects of Mafia III is its compelling story, particularly the revenge narrative and the strong main character. Many players highlight the narrative as the primary reason to play the game, often suggesting that it compensates for other gameplay shortcomings. The rich setting and atmosphere also contribute to the story's appeal.
- Appeals to GTA fans (weight 0.02): For players who enjoy open-world action games with driving and shooting mechanics, similar to titles like Grand Theft Auto, Mafia III can be an enjoyable experience. The game offers a sandbox environment where players can engage in various activities, even if some find them repetitive.
- DLCs enhance experience (weight 0.02): The game's DLCs are generally well-received and are often recommended to be played alongside the main story to enhance the experience and break up the monotony of the core gameplay loop. The Definitive Edition, which includes all DLCs, is particularly recommended.
- Atmospheric 1960s setting (weight 0.02): The game's setting in 1960s New Bordeaux is often lauded for its atmosphere and visual appeal. Players appreciate the immersive open world, the era-specific details, and the overall ambiance, which contributes significantly to the game's unique identity.
- Mods and fixes recommended (weight 0.02): Players frequently suggest that applying community-made mods is essential to improve the game's experience, particularly to address technical issues and reduce grind. There's a strong desire for official fixes for persistent bugs, indicating that the game's potential is hindered by its unpolished state.
- Requires player patience (weight 0.01): Players are advised to approach the game with patience, as its repetitive nature and potential for grind require a certain mindset. Understanding and accepting these aspects beforehand can lead to a more tolerable or even enjoyable experience.

Other player notes:
- Deviates from Mafia series' identity (weight 0.19): Many players compare Mafia III unfavorably to its predecessors, Mafia I and II, noting a significant departure in gameplay style. They feel it leans more towards a generic open-world GTA or Ubisoft-like experience rather than the linear, story-driven Mafia identity.
- Missed potential and unpolished (weight 0.09): Players frequently mention that Mafia III had immense potential but ultimately fell short due to unfulfilled promises, monotonous mission design, and a lack of polish. Many feel it was a missed opportunity to create a truly great game.
- Persistent technical and launch issues (weight 0.06): A significant number of players report technical issues, particularly with fullscreen mode, crashes on startup, and general instability. Many resorted to community-found fixes and workarounds to get the game running smoothly, indicating poor optimization and lack of developer support.
- Lengthy gameplay experience (weight 0.05): Players generally agree that the game offers a substantial amount of content, with main story playthroughs ranging from 25-45 hours and total playtime, including side content and achievements, extending well beyond 50 hours.
- Mixed reception for protagonist (weight 0.04): Player opinions on the protagonist, Lincoln Clay, are mixed; some find him a compelling anti-hero, while others find his motivations and character less engaging than previous Mafia protagonists like Vito Scaletta and Tommy Angelo.
- Strong atmosphere and unique presentation (weight 0.03): The game is highly praised for its authentic and immersive depiction of 1968 New Orleans, including its atmosphere, music, cars, and cultural details. The unique documentary-style narrative presentation also adds to its distinct identity.
- Anticipation for next Mafia game (weight 0.03): Despite mixed feelings about Mafia III, many players express excitement and anticipation for the next installment in the series, 'Mafia: The Old Country,' hoping it will learn from past mistakes and return to the series' roots.
- Authentic but offensive racial themes (weight 0.02): The game authentically portrays the challenging social and political climate of 1968, including prevalent racism and racial slurs. This depiction, while historically accurate, can be offensive to some players.
- DLCs enhance replayability (weight 0.02): Some players recommend strategic engagement with DLCs and side content, suggesting that integrating them with the main story or experiencing them on a second playthrough can enhance the overall enjoyment and understanding of the game.
- Underrated by community (weight 0.01): Some players express confusion or disagreement with the overwhelmingly negative initial reception of the game, believing it is underrated and deserves a higher subjective rating than commonly perceived.
- Mods improve visual experience (weight 0.01): Some players found that using mods and reshade tools significantly improved their visual experience and overall enjoyment of the game, suggesting that community efforts can enhance the game's presentation.
- Good value on sale (weight 0.01): Many players purchased the game at a significantly discounted price, often during sales, which influenced their perception of its value and overall satisfaction.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.27): Players experienced significant frustration primarily due to the game's pervasive technical issues, including frequent crashes, game-breaking bugs, poor optimization, and graphical problems. This was compounded by highly repetitive mission design, tedious grind, and unengaging open-world activities, leading to a feeling of being forced to play and an inability to progress or complete the game.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.26): Satisfaction stemmed from the game's compelling story, strong characters, and immersive atmosphere, often enhanced by an excellent soundtrack. Players also found enjoyment in the combat mechanics, driving physics, and the overall entertainment value, especially after patches and DLCs improved the game's initial state.
- Disappointment (weight 0.23): Disappointment largely arose from the game's failure to meet expectations set by its predecessors, particularly concerning its repetitive gameplay, unfulfilled narrative potential, and numerous technical flaws. Players felt the game deviated too much from the core 'Mafia' identity, offering a generic open-world experience with poor optimization and unengaging content.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement was generated by the game's strong narrative, intense gunplay, and immersive atmosphere, often leading to a feeling of being deeply hooked. Players also expressed excitement for the potential of future Mafia titles and the overall quality of the game's core experience, especially when it exceeded initial low expectations.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger was primarily directed at the developers due to the game's severely broken technical state, including game-breaking bugs, frequent crashes, and poor optimization, which many felt indicated a lack of care or even a scam. The perceived deviation from the Mafia series' identity and the unaddressed issues further fueled this anger.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Players found enjoyment in the game's engaging story, excellent soundtrack, and satisfying core gameplay loop, including driving and gunfights. The immersive setting and the ability to explore the city also contributed to a fun experience, often despite acknowledging the game's flaws.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation was expressed for the game's historical depiction, mature storytelling, and immersive atmosphere, particularly its soundtrack and visual style. Players also acknowledged the developers' efforts to improve the game and its unique approach to the open-world genre.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom was a direct result of the game's highly repetitive mission structure, monotonous gameplay loop, and long, unengaging activities. Players often felt the game became tedious after the initial hours due to a lack of creativity and variety in its content.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise often came from the game exceeding low expectations set by negative reviews, with players finding it more enjoyable or less buggy than anticipated. This positive re-evaluation frequently led to a newfound appreciation for the game's distinctiveness and overall experience.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy was experienced through the game's replayability, engaging gameplay elements, and overall positive experience. Specific elements like the music, atmosphere, and connections to previous Mafia games also contributed to a sense of delight.
- Acceptance (weight 0.01): Acceptance reflected players' willingness to overlook or adapt to the game's flaws, such as its repetitiveness or genre shift, in order to enjoy its unique story and setting. This often involved acknowledging imperfections while still finding the game playable or worthwhile under certain conditions.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stemmed from repetitive gameplay elements, persistent bugs, and frustrating AI behavior, particularly the overly aggressive police system. Unskippable cutscenes and minor glitches also contributed to a general sense of irritation.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration was directed towards the game's strong narrative, social commentary, and cinematic presentation, as well as its visual quality and immersive atmosphere. Players also admired the game's ambition and its unique approach to the open-world genre, often considering it underrated.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love for the game was a deep, general affection, often rooted in a strong connection to the Mafia franchise. This emotion encompassed appreciation for the game's plot, soundtrack, and overall atmosphere.
- Confusion (weight 0): Confusion arose from the discrepancy between personal positive experiences and widespread negative reviews, as well as unexpected technical issues. Players were often puzzled by why others disliked the game or why it presented specific performance problems.
- Hope (weight 0): Hope was expressed for the potential of future Mafia games to learn from past mistakes and for the current game to be improved through bug fixes. DLC content often fueled this hope by showcasing the game's underlying potential.
- Mixed (weight 0): Mixed emotions indicated a balanced view, acknowledging the game's flaws (like repetition and bugs) while still finding aspects of it enjoyable, such as the story, atmosphere, or overall playability. This reflected an inconsistent quality that led to both positive and negative feelings.
- Neutrality (weight 0): Neutrality described a detached assessment of the game, often viewing it as mediocre or average. This perspective acknowledged the repetitive mission structure and its fit within the series without strong positive or negative emotional attachment.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0): Mixed feelings arose from a combination of enjoyable action and significant flaws, such as clunky car physics or initial impressions. This indicated an overall 'mid' experience where positive aspects were overshadowed by major issues.
- Relief (weight 0): Relief was felt when players found solutions to persistent problems, such as making repetitive missions enjoyable, fixing glitches with mods, or finally completing the game. This emotion signified the alleviation of previous frustrations.}