Given how popular Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto franchise is, it is hard to forget that there are other GTA-style games in the market too. An example is the Mafia series, with Mafia II being one of the best GTA clones made to date. That game took place in the 40’s and took a tip from the Godfather movies, with Italian protagonist Vito Scaletta attempting to take over the criminal underworld after returning from World War II.
And the upcoming Mafia III is set in the late 60’s in the fictional city of New Bordeaux (which is based on real-life New Orleans) in a time of social upheaval and popular discontent, with Vietnam vet Lincoln Clay returning to his home city only to find that his gang has been put down by the Italian mob.
Mafia III will offer gameplay similar to Rockstar’s games, with plenty of shooting, reckless driving, and plenty of story missions to complete in New Bordeaux. Like Rockstar’s games, Mafia III will feature plenty of period music, as we’ve already heard the likes of “House of the Rising Sun” and “All along the Watchtower” in the game’s trailers.
The Mafia III team is still arguing over which songs to include in the game…
Mafia III’s creative director has also made it clear that the game will feature authentic period music through and through, stating that “We’re being really hardcore about the music selections, and making sure that nothing in our playlist is from after 1968”. And Rolling Stones fans will surely be delighted to hear that the band’s 1966 hit “Paint it Black” will also be part of Mafia III’s soundtrack.
Aside from authentic period music, it seems that the Playboy magazines which featured in earlier Mafia games will also appear in this latest Mafia game, as the developers have tweeted about some kind of promo deal with Playboy that will be announced on June 1. Apparently model Eugena Washington (who was recently named Playmate of the year…) will be involved in some way or another.
It remains to be seen though, whether this Mafia game will shine or sink this year, but it surely would be great thing for fans of GTA-style games if Mafia III turned out to be as good as its predecessor when it’s released later this year.
Note: Mafia III will be released on October 7, 2016. Available on PS4, Xbox One and PC.