To Everybody for whom MAFIA is like second life and especialy to dear developers...

[KoT6opuC]

In last 2 days i found 2 translations of Mafia II preview on gta.ag.ru from Official PlayStation Magazine and Tiscali Games website, there is a lot of information, most of the facts made on me good impression, but some of them are really horrible, such as: 1.you will be able to put your own numbers on your car, WTF? for what? =\ ok maybe that is not so bad, but the worst is coming - 2.You will get possibility to buy houses and store there you stuff, WHAT??? AGAIN??? that was in Vice City, San Andreas, GTA IV, Scarface, Godfather, puh-lease don`t make another f@#$ing GTA!!!That`s going to ruine all athmosphere, ok maybe to store you stuff in hideout is nice idea, but buing property, noooo... 3.You can get job from different "families" that is in war to aech other, and again... you will make another gta, or maybe something like this was in stalker, anyway it`s not for what everybody loved MAFIA, you are cuting me without knife!!! and the 4th - that there will be a few endings of the story, i guess it`s the result of preceding point, so again i have the same argument as before, no one fan of MAFIA wants the stupid cliche, everybody loved first part because it was very truly, dramatic and serious game, it was more than game, and what is going to be now? you are going wrong way, if it`s gonna be like that, you will really disappoint all fans, I believe that you will hear me, and make right decision.
P.S.:I really sorry for my english and if I said something wrong.

[mak4bd]

i agree with him. But can anyone tell when is this coming out? just can't wait

[Spid3r]

I do not think you should be afraid of buing house and other.. If you wish, you can buy, if you not, you musnt. I do not think buing houses will be important part of game

[KoT6opuC]

No you didn`t get what I am afrad of, I think It`s going to totally ruin atmosphere, maybe it`s possible to make second hideout in the middle of the game, but not like possibility to buy a lot of houses.

[coderman]

What I liked most about mafia, is the strong story, and loveable characters. (Salieri was like a father to me :D ) I don't know if multitiple endings are such a good idea, those games usually sacrifice a powerful ending to interactivity (e.g. stalker). But then again, the trailer rocks, I can relate to those guys :D

[KoT6opuC]

Yeah that`s right, strong story, multitiple endings - absolutely bad idea, maybe for such game like stalker it`s ok, but yeah MAFIA is like a movie, and the story must be the same to everyone.

[Don Memphis]

I totally agree with you, but these informations aren´t confirmed yet...its still too early. But if its true, i am sure that Illusion Softworks...ehm...sorry 2K Czech very well know what they doing. Lead designer Daniel Vavra has articles in one of czech pc magazines and his opinions are allways against consume games and story cliché - he knows how make good game. I trust him and whole developers team...

[Tetref]

designer Daniel Vavra has articles in one of czech pc magazines and his opinions
Hell Hollow of Daniel Vavra ;D
ok, get seriously..i hope all these informations is just a ****, and maybe some extra features for Ride and Extreme Ride (to extend the playable time), but nothing to be worried about with connection to main campaign..
:)

[KoT6opuC]

Yeah I trust them too, and we all hope that this facts are false)

[Shua]

Agree with you.

[RaptorM60]

Agreed Memphis, good point! Those are only tiny pieces of informations ... and I'm pretty sure about some good reasons for having features such as food, houses and multiple endings in Mafia II.

[oritxupolite]

designer Daniel Vavra has articles in one of czech pc magazines and his opinions are allways against consume games and story cliché - he knows how make good game. I trust him and whole developers team...

Humm .. Dan Vavra has a colaboration in some program in the Czech TV ? Or is my imagination , or is a deja vu :o

[Fugue]

from early days of playing mafia I seem to remember rumours of an alternate/multiple ending, quite a good idea imo, just like some missions had alternate endings, pushing the car off the bridge :D

quite like the idea of a different ending depending on which path you take.

[cruelstein]

from early days of playing mafia I seem to remember rumours of an alternate/multiple ending, quite a good idea imo, just like some missions had alternate endings, pushing the car off the bridge :D

quite like the idea of a different ending depending on which path you take.

No, there was no alternate ending in Mafia I - just the mission you mentioned (at the bridge).

[KoT6opuC]

Yeah different ways to do the mission was great, like with Morello, but It didn`t change whole story at all, just the way hi died and here we are talking about multiply endings of the game that is whorst thing ever and actually it`s gonna be in gtaIV, which is disappointing.Heh, I just remembered how many attemptions was to kill Morello, that was funny xD Btw, I found origin http://onaxis.blogspot.com/2008/04/mafia-ii-breakdown-from-playstation.html =(

[Skipper]

I totally agree with him. The same thoughts overwhelmed me when I saw that.

[MedicMomcilo]

We all have the same feeling like KoT6opuC, who started this thread. Only he said it with more passion than resto fo us.

I say too, don't overdo making it interesting, but I do believe in developers.

[KoT6opuC]

Thank`s for supporting me :)

[Pantsless]

I TOTALLY agree with you guys. I think multiple endings is a BAD idea (it will ruin the story) and so are things such as buying houses and customising i-don't-know what. Mafia 1 was JUST LIKE a movie, it was EXCELLENT. I want Mafia 2 to be JUST as 1 (but with another great story & better graphics).

I hope the devs won't dissapoint us, they did an EXCELLENT job on mafia 1 which was the best game I EVER played :)

So a short message for the devs: No one wants a GTA clone, so keep the game as it was, don't change too much... And good luck finishing the game, you guys are awesome!

[ArchangelX]

I don`t mind if we will have the possibility of alternative endings, neither do I mind the ability to buy a house if it is in the game.
I think we get a solid mainstory with more possibilites then in the original, like more stuff to do in freeroaming.
As much as I love the original, the freeroaming is good but not great.

And for sure I don`t think they have the intention to make it like GTA.
Just by looking at the screens we can almost get the intuition that it will not be so, at least I do.

[Pantsless]

Just by looking at the screens we can almost get the intuition that it will not be so, at least I do.
Yes, the screens look very nice indeed... They actually "feel" like Mafia.. But hey, you can never be too sure. Anyway, can't wait for the game to be launched. Btw anyone has an idea of when the game will be launched? Will it even be this year ? :D

[Mikey]

I agree with KoT6opuC, buying properties, foods, clothes, going to gym, etc... It sounds like GTA SA, but the graphic and whole 3D engine will keep you in the right atmosphere.... I hope.
We just have to trust to 2T Czech.

[Fraz]

Here are some very strong and honest suggestions that every Mafia lover
can feel in his/her heart let me share my own point of view at each of these
points raised here ... :)

1.you will be able to put your own numbers on your car, WTF? for what? =\ ok maybe that is not so bad, but the worst is coming -
I would not object if doing that will also add some fines if we get caught by the police ... but i dont think that would do any good ...

2.You will get possibility to buy houses and store there you stuff, WHAT??? AGAIN??? that was in Vice City, San Andreas, GTA IV, Scarface, Godfather, puh-lease don`t make another f@#$ing GTA!!!That`s going to ruine all athmosphere, ok maybe to store you stuff in hideout is nice idea, but buing property, noooo...


Second that .... Same here i agree with him 100% no need for another GTA
GTA 4 will also be there at that time ... so no more GTA but picking up
good ideas from GTA and integrating it with good plot, twisting story and
suspense may make it good as well ...

3.You can get job from different "families" that is in war to aech other, and again... you will make another gta, or maybe something like this was in stalker, anyway it`s not for what everybody loved MAFIA, you are cuting me without knife!!! and the 4th - that there will be a few endings of the story, i guess it`s the result of preceding point, so again i have the same argument as before, no one fan of MAFIA wants the stupid cliche, everybody loved first part because it was very truly, dramatic and serious game, it was more than game, and what is going to be now? you are going wrong way, if it`s gonna be like that, you will really disappoint all fans, I believe that you will hear me, and make right decision.
P.S.:I really sorry for my english and if I said something wrong.

exactly same feelings here ...

I totally agree with you, but these informations aren´t confirmed yet...its still too early. But if its true, i am sure that Illusion Softworks...ehm...sorry 2K Czech very well know what they doing. Lead designer Daniel Vavra has articles in one of czech pc magazines and his opinions are allways against consume games and story cliché - he knows how make good game. I trust him and whole developers team...

thats what (Daniel Vavra) we are all hopeful about ... i hope and i wish he
manages another stunner of a game like it was MAFIA

[ArchangelX]

I think all those features are good, I mean in the previews Varva said that there is a heavy focus on the story, that it is linear, that it is darker then the first game.
I mean seriously it doesn`t sound bad, and I think we can trust that.
Remember Mafia and Mafia 2 probably means just as much to the people that develop it then it does to the people that play it, probably even more.

I don`t mind the house buying thing as long as it is limited to one house at a time, I won`t complain to a feature that can make me store maybe some suits, weapons and garage my car in the game.
It is like an added feature that I really can`t see how it will intervene with the linear storyline. It just feels more personal in my opinion.
And as I have said before, those features are probably also enhanced from the free-ride mode in the original where you had your own house and garage.

And the GTA Mafia comparison is understandable but I mean hello, look at the screens and the atmosphere that the two games send out.
I get VERY different vibes all over to be honest, not comparable in my book.

[DoHo]

I think all those features are good, I mean in the previews Varva said that there is a heavy focus on the story, that it is linear, that it is darker then the first game.
I mean seriously it doesn`t sound bad, and I think we can trust that.
1]Remember Mafia and Mafia 2 probably means just as much to the people that develop it then it does to the people that play it, probably even more.

2]I don`t mind the house buying thing as long as it is limited to one house at a time, 3]I won`t complain to a feature that can make me store maybe some suits, weapons and 4]garage my car in the game.
It is like an added feature that I really can`t see how it will intervene with the linear storyline. It just feels more personal in my opinion.
And as I have said before, those features are probably also enhanced from the free-ride mode in the original where you had your own house and garage.

And the GTA Mafia comparison is understandable but I mean hello, look at the screens and the atmosphere that the two games send out.
I get VERY different vibes all over to be honest, not comparable in my book.
1]For them it is like a child, for us a best friend. Ultimately what they want in the game is what is going to go in, but I think also they need to listen to the fans as well. it's no good making this great game and then everyone is disappointed by it (not that we will be).
2]If it was one house, fine enough.
3]Agree, it would be cool. I always hated having a Tommy Gun or shotgun in one mission, and then in the next I have a baseball bat, a knife and brass knuckles.
4] It would also be cool to have a garage.

However! Almost all of those points to a free roam style of play for single player! Gah! I will not support that feature because it just doesn't work. Mafia and Driver and any other similar game is great when its free roam mode is separate. What's going to happen when you die? You just respawn? I think it would be ridiculous. The only other option is that at the end of a mission you can go back home and store a gun/car to carry over to the next mission.

I know it seems silly but I loved the narrative of Mafia and the linear game play.

[ArchangelX]

However! Almost all of those points to a free roam style of play for single player! Gah! I will not support that feature because it just doesn't work. Mafia and Driver and any other similar game is great when its free roam mode is separate. What's going to happen when you die? You just respawn? I think it would be ridiculous. The only other option is that at the end of a mission you can go back home and store a gun/car to carry over to the next mission.

I know it seems silly but I loved the narrative of Mafia and the linear game play.

I know what you mean, but since they have already said that the story will be linear I wouldn`t worry to much about it.
Besides none of the previews have as of yet talked about differences between the features in the mainstory and freeroam.

Even if we get some more freeroam features kind of intergrated as an option so to speak in the game for me I would not be bothered since players that would want to very well still could go through the game just driving to and from where ever the mainstory missions get activated.
Some players might want to take advantage of the possibility between missions and others wouldn`t.
The difference could be that one does not have a predetermined weapon and car for a mission being conducted in the mainstory, if it is not required.

But of course at this point it is only speculation, which is also one of the fun things to do at a forum before the release :D

[Thomas Angelo]

I like linear games because I know that I've done everything what I can do :D For example - Gothic 1... very long game, lots of quest and three fractions (Old camp, New camp, Swamp camp) and that's what I don't like, that I'ven't tried all things in the game...

[Hatesink]

My perspective:

Everything that's good about a game, breaks new ground, or just basically works should be appropriated, replicated, integrated and implemented. Why cut owning a property out becouse it was in a GTA title?

I know most (or at least a lot) of the hardcore Mafia fans (myself included) really don't like GTA, but that doesn't mean we have to dump everything related to it. I think owning a property will be really cool. Somewhere that's persistant, where you can store all of your cars and ammo etc...

...having a house in Freeride extreme was wicked, especially when you filled the drive up with cars. I had my little sports coupe right behind the door and my broken down rusted heap of scrap sitting on the front lawn.

The other thing with Mafia was the story, the dialogue etc. The dialogue started off pretty weak (I think probably so it was accessible) but it just got better and better, and the vocal talent was absolutely outstanding. I think those guys brought more to Mafia than probably any other team of actors have ever brought to a game (with Riddick probably a close second).

I actually did spend an evening watching the Mafia storyline on Youtube, there was a good couple of hours of it and I was totally disappointed that it wasn't all on there. I mean really disappointed. What other game has cutscenes that you can watch like a film and thoroughly enjoy?

Mafia had a great story (for a game), excellent characterisation, brilliant plotting (considering how you were actually taking part in the experience (for which I'd personally gladly give up sandbox)), and all of it was woven together into a clear and cohearant narrative.

Can they do that with a multiple ending format?

Can they do that with a sandbox?

Great writing in a sandbox isn't unheard of (Boiling Point: Road to Hell) but what about the plot? What would Mafia have been if you could have defected to Morello? Or if Tommy had the option of taking Sam's story-arc?

I guess if nothing else it'll be interesting.

I suppose I have reservations. I'd like to be able to play it like a film rather than like a kind of first-person interface rpg-based management sim (but I'm pretty sure I'm not part of the core demographic. Ultimately, I'm just hoping they successfully impliment an accurate driving model).

[ironbear66]

Plz, i don't want a another GTA - clone , Mafia should be Mafia and not a bad replica, after i finished playing Mafia 1 i didn't like other games like GTA, Mafia game is the only game that i played more then twice, i have lost count how many times i have re-installed Mafia on my system and played it

[Pantsless]

Yeah.. having multiple endings - that's not a film anymore. Anything dramatic would lose its effect; just think about it: the game ends, you die.. "omg .. the game finished like i wasn't expecting! nvm, ill just play it again and make another ending". It's just not the same thing... Personally I want to listen to a story, not make it...

[DoHo]

Personally I want to listen to a story, not make it...Me too. Sometimes when you become a character you stop caring because you just want to finish a level and get headshots, when you watch a character you want them to survive, and get out of the danger trouble free.

A cave collapses! Damn, *I* have to get out of this cave.
A cave collapses! Oh no! Is he okay? Is he hurt? How will he get out?

It's dramatically different. Even though in the second example you still control the character the events and such are set out for you, and I'd rather care about a character than care about finishing a level.

[Hatesink]

With a story you can vary the emotional weight. With sandbox the experience is a lot more muted.