Some may argue that Mafia doesnt have a lot of open world elements in comparison to others on this list, which is thus a major reason it's never been a serious threat to GTA's crown. But it still remains a game that stands out brilliantly among other releases of its time. The story is the key to it all, winning you over with its cut scenes (truly fantastic for 2002) and excellent animation but more importantly, well-written characters as we see Tommy still trying to be a nice guy in a dirty world and holding to honor others dont. Let's face it, the story was the weakest part of GTA III but Mafia more than makes up for it with a crime tale right out of a Coppola or Scorsese movie that truly wins you over. The car driving was top notch, you truly feel how hard it was to get going with vehicles of the time and the way they handle differently was something unique. The gun battles also dropped in Tommy guns and pistols and felt far more authentic than the armory mechanics of the GTA series. From small missions to full-scale blowouts, the game won you over and truly stood high among the initial wave of GTA clones. Its sequel may not have been of the same quality but still good playing with a 1950s vibe, showing the mob in a time of change and how (unlike other games such as GTA) you see the car youre driving in a cutscene, damage and all. It was overlooked thanks to GTA IV's release and seen as a second-rate copy, which is a shame given that it has its own strengths and deserves recognition.
A freelance writer with love of comic books, sci-fi/fantasy, action films, pro wrestling and more. An inventive mind and history major who hopes to bring some of that to readers.
