EA has covered this one from head to toe. Everything from the storyline, in which the character is indirectly involved, to the soundtrack, screams out "Italian mafia". As the game progressed the action moved away from the main storyline, but somehow still made me feel a big part of the Corleone family operations.
EA`s attention to detail in this title simply relights the flame of one of the greatest movies of our time ... The Godfather.
Let`s take it from the top:
The character the gamer creates to enter the world of NY`s organised crime is run by an extremely well designed engine. In fact, the look of the character can be fine-tuned with such precision, that it can become the gamer`s double.
Most of the characters resemble the characters from the movie, with an exception of Michael Corleone, who in the feature film was played by Al Pacino and has now taken on a different look. This due to VU Games buying the rights to Al Pacino`s look for their forthcoming release "Scarface", also based on a great movie.
Still, the face of Don Vito Corleone (played by Marlon Brando) has been designed really well, along with the voice over, which was completed just a couple of months before Brando`s death.
On some level, the game could be compared to Rockstar`s smash hit GTA, and other similar titles. But the depth of the story suggests this particular title is one of a kind.
The story
Meet Giorgio Bendini (the character I created), who as a young boy witnesses his father`s ruthless murder and is determined to have revenge on those responsible. He is accepted by the Corleone family and given a chance to do just that.
He starts off as a small-time street thug, racketeering around town and taking over small businesses from rival families. This leads to a new level of respect with the Corleone family, who give him the title of under-boss, and the privilege of being the Don`s right-hand-man.
Giorgio takes on a different kind of rage when his girlfriend is killed. His world comes crashing down and a sinister side of an ordinary NY gangster suddenly breaks out.
He starts taking over entire warehouses, guarded by hundreds of blood thirsty mobsters. He laughs at the idea of death - staring straight into the eyes of the Grim Reaper.
Soon enough he helps the Corleone family take charge of the entire New York City mob scene, and puts fear into the hearts of the rival families. He looks back at all the pain and misery they`ve caused him, saying, "You shall all feel the wrath of Bendini!"
Gameplay
Before getting to the point of how the story actually ends, destroying the reason for playing the game, let`s take a look at the gameplay.
The controls are almost identical to those in the GTA series, but with some amazing additions. Taking it one step further is the ability to aim at certain body parts, disabling the opponent before taking his life. Another one is the sneaky feature of being able to hide behind the corner of a building and surprising the groups of mobsters by popping out for a quick shootout and then disappearing back to safety.
The best, however, and probably the most interesting way to kill an opponent, is the executioner style. This varies depending on the type of weapon one uses at the time, but all in all, it`s a violent and a ruthless way to go. Like something out of a Tarantino movie.
Of course it`s not all about killing. One of the main objectives in the game is to expand business and take on the role of the protector of small stores, butcheries, tailor shops and escort agencies, responsibilities Bendini cannot ignore. In order to become a convincing gangster, Bendini must master the art of persuasion. Sometimes this is achieved by breaking open the cash register with the client`s head, the other would be the diplomatic approach, talking to them, in a calm but menacing manner.
The AI puts the "organised" into "organised crime". There is no way to trick these gangsters, except for being quicker than them and hiding behind objects. Okay, so you can run them over with a car, but where is the challenge in that?
The more attacks Bendini makes on a certain family, the more the vendetta level will rise - the end result being a full scale mob war. This is just bad for business. So Bendini should either show them who the boss is and blow up one of their houses, or pay an FBI agent to put some extra law pressure on them.
The rest is history. Hi-jacking cars, street shootouts, robbing banks, blowing things up for no reason ... you know, the fun stuff.
In the end
If examined in full detail, one could probably write a book based on the character in the game. Someone should consider the idea.
EA Games has produced an excellent audio and visual presentation, as well as a beyond ordinary storyline. I rate it an impressive 9.5/10.
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