9 Video Game Sequels That Took Away Your Favourite Character

6. Mafia III - Vito Corleone

For those who like their open-world crime experiences to come with more detailed environmental interactions and a weightier, character-driven story, Mafia should be your first port of call.

Now, Mafia 2 also swapped out its main character, telling the rise of Vito Scaletta in Empire Bay, his friend Joe Barbaro and the rags to riches tale they both embarked on. Mafia 1's Tommy Angelo gets killed in this story, but it was the switch to Mafia 3's New Bordeaux with one Lincoln Clay that really raised eyebrows.

Did It Work?

Character-wise? Yes. Mafia 3's story beats are drastically streamlined compared to the twists and turns of the first two, but Alex Hernandez' performance as Clay makes the whole thing click.

Whenever Alex is allowed to play Lincoln as this Punisher-adjacent walking tank, seeking revenge for the murder of his family at the hands of the mob in a racially-charged New Orleans analogue, it's exemplary.

Vito did return as a recruitable mob boss who can help Lincoln amass armies of followers for the game's big finale, but again, his role was trimmed way down.