How Mafia: Definitive Edition Changed HD Remakes
3. Tweaking, Not Overhauling the Environments
Lost Heaven's Chicago-inspired streets were a standout of the original, and rather than doing away with the city entirely, the Definitive Edition re-establishes the beauty of the city that's been lost over time.
Partnering the linear story in the main menu is a free play mode where players can explore the cutthroat streets of Lost Heaven without the distraction of the story; a necessary component as the tale unfolds as one concise block of events which leaves no time to explore freely. Though vehicles (the Definitive Edition features motorcycles this time around!) are painfully slow, it would be a disservice not to soak up the sights and blast through in an unrealistically fast automobile.
The art direction remains the same as the 2002 original. We're not transported to space or someplace equally as ridiculous for the sake of pleasing newcomers to the franchise, and Hangar 13's dedication to polishing and not replacing is perfect for the latest iteration of the game.
Never overwhelming like the GTA series or the one-note Death Stranding, the open world on offer is present almost exclusively to serve the story, and as such is a pleasant change from the norm.