Organised crime open world set in a 1930s American city. The Prohibition era atmosphere, Godfather-inspired story and cinematic presentation are remarkable. One of the few open worlds of the era prioritising storytelling over chaos, highly appreciated by history enthusiasts.
Your verdict
Category
Open-World1 player18+
Description
An Illusion Softworks and 2K open-world mob game released in 2002 (PC) and ported in 2004 (multi-region PS2). Tommy Angelo, a 1930s cab driver, is drawn into the Salieri family in Lost Heaven, a city modeled on Chicago. A weighty story, period driving and gunfights: a serious precursor to Mafia II.
Mafia review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
A driver drawn against his will into the 1930s underworld, Tommy climbs and then suffers the ranks of a merciless mafia family. Far from any glorification, the tale paints rise and fall with the gravity of film noir. This criminal chronicle, melancholy and adult, leaves its mark through its tragic sincerity.
Rising through a 1930s mob family has the air of a grand cinematic saga, until you draw up the list of jobs done: intimidation, holdups and executions in the name of loyalty. The polished story makes you forget that promotion is earned through crime, and you sign off on each mission with the quiet enthusiasm of a model employee.
Is Mafia still worth playing in 2026?
An open world action game from Illusion Softworks, Mafia plunges the player into 1930s America following the rise of a driver turned hitman, in a mature Godfather like narrative. The realistic period driving, the cinematic staging and the polished atmosphere stood apart from the more arcade competition. The rough difficulty, the demanding driving and a dated PS2 production call for some indulgence. A great crime story to recommend for fans of narrative open world and gangster atmosphere.
