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When this particular game was released, critics raved about how it didn't enlarge the movie's franchise, popularity or help it in any way. I would have to strongly disagree with the critics, because before this game was released rumours were already spreading. And when the game was being played, memories of the original Godfather movies were erected. When playing the game, I soon found myself watching the Godfather DVD afterwards to look for the parts that were left out while also comparing story lines between film and game.





The subject matter of the game is a really interesting turn for a computer game project. The mafia in the 1930's based on the classic film. Whats most important is that the games appearence and gameplay is a visual echo of the film.

The Godfather's visual style IS surprisingly accurate to the film's visual style. 1930's New York is beautiful, old, rusty, classy and coloured in a brown haze, just like in the film. Graphics wise, the buildings, cars, and people are fairly detailed but detailed enough for such a large game. The Grand Theft Auto style map is big indeed. Very realistic at times when driving from Little Italy to Midtown. Buildings are large and roads are long, and driving from one point to another can be lengthy.





The cars do look great and are easy to control in the typical GTA style. Driving can get a little repetitive at times and a bit tedious. Even though driving is the only quick mode of transportation, it still can be entertaining. As you smash into delivery trucks, run over innocent pedestians and speed away from the police or other rival families in a high speed chase.



The police can be a right pain in the ass. Just like in GTA, they'll be all over you if your not too good. Thats where bribing comes in. If your heat level is high with the law, bribe a cop to lower your heat level down so you can go about your regular business without trouble.

Aswell as the police, rival families can also cause serious trouble for the Corleones. There are 4 rival families in New York, and they are the Tattaglias, Stracci, Cuneo and the Barzinis. All of these families can make peace with you or make your life a living hell, depending on how you deal with their businesses and their soldiers.
As the game suggests: the Tattaglias are a low-class family that operate in Brooklyn. More than any other family, the Tattaglias are not to be trusted - much less respected.
The Straccis are situated in New Jersey and are quickly on the rise to power. The Stracci family's main racket is waste management, but their real joy in life is killing. These psychopaths give the mafia a bad name.
Hell's Kitchen is where the Cuneos do business. A few gambling operations, some prostitution, plus a busy weapons trade - but what they do have they're determined to hold on to.
In Midtown, the Barzini's operations include pure moneymaking. With great wealth comes great power and the Barzinis are very powerful and though as nails.



To take down a rival family you need to take over their businesses, win mob wars and blow up their hubs. Once you eliminate one family, you then begin to work your way up in business power and respect. More money = more bribing power, negosiation skills, respect and rank. Completing jobs for the Corleones develops your story in the game and increases your rank within the Corleone family. Start as an Outsider to Associate, Soldier, Capo, Underboss, Don and finally Don of NYC.





The fighting controls are more advanced and more complicated than most free roaming games. All controlled with the anologue sticks. Sounds difficult, but its actually very easy.... and loads of fun. With a simple flick of the anologue stick you can smash a guy into a wall, open a cash register with a shop keepers head, throw people out of windows, off roof tops, in front of passing cars, break there nose with a bat, execute them up front with a pistol and a number of other things. Shooting is pretty easy aswell, with simple lock on and aiming controls.




Since there is so much that you can do in this game, I would be here all day typing them out. And thats that.




Verdict: The Godfather is a very entertaining, enjoyable and fairly addictive game. The graphics are impressive, especially the fire, buildings appear tall and vast, and the people populating the virtual city are all interactable. Gameplay can get repetitive at times but thats acceptable for such a large game. When playing a member of the Corleone family at times makes you really feel like your part of the family, Soldiers cover your back at gunfire and Capos give you missions and tips.

An epic game that introduces young gamers to the classic film.

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