20 MORE Pointless Video Game Mechanics Nobody Used
14. Shoe Shining - Mafia II (2010)
There are many reasons why Mafia II is considered to be the best entry in the franchise. In addition to telling a captivating, character-driven story with genuine emotional weight, developer 2K Czech likewise crafted a wonderfully realised world for the story to unfold against.
The New York-inspired Empire Bay was brimming with tiny details that made the setting feel immersive and lived in. Police would pursue players who exceeded the speed limit, cars could run out of fuel, and the city would change dramatically as the decades went on.
Although Empire Bay functioned more as a highly detailed backdrop to the linear narrative, the world was filled with little things for players to discover. One of these inclusions was that Vito could get his shoes shined.
As players explored the city, they could encounter NPCs who enthusiastically offered to polish the protagonist's footwear. For the cost of $1, they'd provide their services while talking to their new customer.
It's an amusing interaction that added an extra layer of authenticity, but there was no reason to ever use it. In addition to providing no in-game benefit, the mechanic didn't even make Vito's shoes look any cleaner.