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The Godfather II

The Godfather II

A strategy infused action game is EA's latest offering for the Godfather franchise, but does it work?

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Let me start by setting the record straight. I have always viewed licensed games with a degree of scepticism. Can you blame me? Despite the unquestionable talents of acclaimed developers across the gaming spectrum, history can only point her bony fingers at a handful of licensed titles with variably positive responses. Saying that, The Godfather 2 game is based on one of the most successful and highly praised movies of all time and coming from EA, which has had a string of well received titles recently; one could only hope for a decent outcome...right? Wrong!

At best, the game is a disappointment and at worst, a heartless mutilation of an undoubted classic. Ok...that might be a tad harsh, but I harboured faint hope of a decent gaming experience and was instead treated to a game littered with rudimentary gameplay and shoddy production.

Set in the late 50s and 60s, the story is ‘loosely' based on the movie with action set in New York, Miami and Cuba. You assume the role of Dominic, a key member of the Corleone family, who has been tasked with stamping his authority on the criminal underworld, while rising through the ranks to become the don of the family. To do this, Dominic is able to recruit soldiers with varying talents to assist him. Their skill sets include a Medic, Engineer, Arsonist, Safecracker and Demolitions expert.

Together you track down opposing Mafiosi in a bid to gain access to their respective compounds, where the Don can be tracked down and eliminated. Apart from side quests the entire game is built around this setup. Approach strangers, gather information, eliminate target, eliminate opposing Don, rinse and repeat ad nauseam. The laughable AI offers little resistance and even if they do, your rechargeable health meter ensures you are able to withstand just about everything thrown your way.

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While the added muscle along with the Don's view (a strategy themed overview) is an intriguing addition, through which you manage your crew (along with businesses, monitor rival families and racketeering operations), the idea is undone by weak presentation and poor execution.

Getting from point A to point B is also a chore with piss poor car handling mechanics pushing you to the point of frustration. However, if you are of the more laid back disposition and able to by pass this flaw, the poorly rendered aesthetics and unavoidable frame rate issues are sure to tip you over the edge.
The multiplayer game does have one redeeming quality All cash acquired through the mode is automatically transferred to the single player campaign. The multiplayer modes are your run of the mill fodder and include the standard Team Death match, as well as the Fire Starter, Demolition Assault and Safe Cracker, which all consist of the same play elements.

In conclusion, the ‘finished' game really isn't good enough for a company of EA's (Redwood Shores) standing and begs the question... ‘How they could possibly get this so wrong?' Armed with the rich dialogue and epic story of the movie, the experience gained from producing the first game as well as the technical resources at their disposal, churning out a seemingly unfinished game is a missed opportunity and that is a shame...a low down dirty shame.

The Godfather IIThe Godfather IIThe Godfather IIThe Godfather II
05 Gamereactor UK
5 / 10
+
Don's view, Crew recruitment
-
Rechargeable health bar reduces any sense of tension, Poor Ai, Too easy, Repetitive gameplay, Frustrating car handling mechanics, Frame rate issues and poor rendering
overall score
is our network score. What's yours? The network score is the average of every country's score

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