One of the worst game i have ever played...

[Fugue]

Actually I just finished the main story for GTA IV today and fired up Mafia II right afterwards, oh boy what a difference in size of the maps, it makes Empire Bay feel even more claustrophobic for me now then before. However I will give Mafia II one thing though, and that is what a gorgeous looking game it is it literally drips atmosphere so beautiful.

GTA maps have always been huge but I'm not sure that always = better, larger the map the more likely I am to use a fast travel option, only exception was RDR because I did enjoy exploring the world. They did drop the ball with the map size claims though...

Game + DLC's areas was plenty big enough for me, what I like about the original is after playing it so much I didn't need a map

[missjo]

The GTA 4 city may be huge, but it is also ugly.
The Mafia city is much better looking (like everything in real life looked better back then ), much more detailed and simply more enjoyable.
I would load Mafia 2 many months after I finished it, just to go for a ride, just to show friends what can be done with games these days, just for the music.
GTA 4 I may, just may, load again after a few months just to blow some stuff up and crash a few cars.
And even that looks better in Mafia 2.

[Fugue]

I always liked the description of the Empire Bay being a stage in which the story plays out, GTA has always been about creating a playground.