How Mafia: Definitive Edition Changed HD Remakes
4. Keeping The Archetypes
Having a cigar-smoking crime boss and a slimy goon called 'Paulie' is perhaps a little on-the-nose when it comes to 20th century gangster stories, but the unrelenting charm that comes from such stereotypes is welcome here.
An overweight, overbearing and deeply underestimated crime boss, a wiry side character who exclusively looks out for himself and an honest, good man in way over his head are tropes used in Hollywood blockbusters in years past, and surely years to come. Though examples of such stereotypes are a little tired, they simply work as motivators to entice player/watcher/reader into the tale.
Drawing inspiration from Al Capone, Whitey Bulger and the like, Mafia's core cast of characters are familiar in a way that's never yawn-inducing, and instead their likeness to more well-known roles is a source of comfort. The complexity of Ellie and the aloofness of Cloud are perfect for their respective series, but as Mafia doesn't intend to tread new ground, its commitment to keeping the stereotypes intact makes total sense here.
While undoubtedly samey, they're some of the best examples of otherwise overused tropes.