Best Story In The Mafia Games, Ranked

The Mafia games have always occupied a rather special place, emphasizing cinematic narratives set within stunning, albeit somewhat sparse, open-world environments that primarily serve as backdrops for the story — the true highlight of any Mafia game. Heavily inspired by iconic gangster films like The Godfather, the Mafia series captures the spirit of bygone eras, focusing on troubled characters and their journeys to wealth and power through criminal enterprises and morally ambiguous choices. While the stories may seem straightforward on the surface, the series has consistently delivered nuanced storytelling, with deeply human and relatable protagonists like Tommy Angelo, Vito Scaletta, and Lincoln Clay, who have become iconic figures in gaming.

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The Mafia franchise includes four mainline titles (excluding remastered or definitive editions, which mostly feature visual enhancements) and two lesser-known mobile spin-offs. While fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming Mafia: The Old Country, this list will rank the main series’ stories based on the intrigue of their plots, the depth of their characters, the quality of their storytelling, and the lasting impression they leave. It’s worth noting that there aren’t any outright “bad” stories in the Mafia games — this ranking reflects personal perspectives on the narratives, which may vary from fan to fan.

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Mafia: The City Of Lost Heaven

A Respectable Original, Though Narratively Dated By Today’s Standards

Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven emerged as a heartfelt homage to classic gangster films like The Godfather, drawing heavily from familiar storylines. Set in the fictional city of Lost Heaven, Illinois, during the 1930s, the narrative follows an ordinary taxi driver, Tommy Angelo, as he is thrust into a life of crime within the Salieri crime family. In pursuit of a better life, Tommy trades his mundane existence for a world of power, money, and moral compromises. Beloved for its simplicity and elegance, the original game tells a tale of flawed individuals who ultimately face the consequences of their actions. However, by modern standards, the plot and its delivery feel less impactful, making the modern reimagining, Mafia: Definitive Edition, a more accessible and engaging way to experience this classic story.

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The original title struggles with a cast of underdeveloped supporting characters, such as car mechanic Ralph and Tommy’s wife, Sarah, who receive minimal screen time and narrative focus. Additionally, the technological limitations of the early 2000s hinder the game’s ability to fully convey the emotional depth and nuanced character arcs that the story aspires to achieve. The mission-based structure also fragments the narrative, preventing it from reaching its full potential. Today, Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven is more of a nostalgic artifact, appreciated for its historical significance but challenging to recommend for its storytelling or gameplay compared to contemporary standards.

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Mafia 2

Sticking Too Closely To Familiar Ground, With A Narrative That Lacks Ambition

Mafia 2 largely mirrors the structure and thematic strengths of the original game, often feeling like an homage in many ways, including its story. Players step into the shoes of Vito Scaletta, a young Italian immigrant and World War veteran who returns to the fictional city of Empire Bay. Struggling to redefine his path in life, Vito becomes entangled in the city’s web of criminal corruption, eventually aligning himself with the Falcone family. While the grounded and realistic nature of the plot reflects 2K Czech’s vision for the series, it also keeps the game from fully stepping out of the shadow of its predecessor. At times, the narrative feels safe and secondary, even though the game’s updated technology and impressive visuals allow it to hold up remarkably well by today’s standards.

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One of Mafia 2‘s greatest strengths is its expanded scope, spanning 1943 to 1951. This timeline lets the game explore multiple stages of the characters’ lives and offers a dynamic sense of progression, with a noticeable shift in the atmosphere as the seasons change from winter to summer. The charismatic pairing of Rick Pasqualone as Vito Scaletta and Robert Costanzo as Joe Barbaro is a great gaming duo, thanks to their distinct personalities and compelling relationship dynamic. The post-credits ending is also a standout, elegantly linking the sequel to the original game in a satisfying way.

However, Mafia 2‘s story falls short of greatness due to a lack of depth and its failure to introduce unexplored themes or new perspectives within the genre. While the plot is well-constructed, it rarely ventures into emotionally resonant or truly groundbreaking territory, keeping it from becoming as memorable or impactful as it could have been.

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Mafia: Definitive Edition

A Modern Remake That Enhances And Expands Upon The Original In Every Way

Mafia: Definitive Edition faced considerable skepticism before launch, with many fans doubting whether Hangar 13 could do justice to the iconic and beloved original. To the studio’s credit, the final, critically acclaimed result speaks for itself, standing as a shining example of a modern remake. It respects the essence of the original’s story and characters while confidently expanding the narrative in all the right places, fleshing out the cast to make them more relatable and believable.

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While staying faithful to the structure and major plot beats of the original, Mafia: Definitive Edition enhances key moments by giving them more room to breathe. Nearly every scene is expanded with additional interactions and dialogue, allowing the story to feel richer and more immersive. Characters like Paulie, Ralph, and Sarah receive greater focus, highlighting their personal struggles and motivations, which adds depth and complexity to their roles. This development makes the narrative feel more well-rounded and emotionally resonant.

The remake also benefits from stunning visuals and advanced motion-capture techniques, breathing new life into familiar characters. Andrew Bongiorno delivers an outstanding performance as Tommy Angelo, while Glenn Taranto’s portrayal of Don Salieri is equally compelling. These performances, combined with the game’s attention to detail and respect for its roots, ensure that Mafia: Definitive Edition is not just a faithful remake but the definitive way to experience this classic tale today.

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Mafia 3

Nuanced, Intelligent Storytelling That Explores Fresh And Important Themes For The Series

Undoubtedly the most controversial entry in the series, Mafia 3 faces numerous gameplay-related criticisms, from its forced open-world structure to its repetitive missions and gameplay loop. However, when viewed purely from a narrative perspective, Mafia 3 arguably represents the pinnacle of storytelling within the franchise. Set in the fictional city of New Bordeaux (inspired by New Orleans) in 1968, the game shifts away from being an homage to iconic gangster films, boldly carving out its own identity and telling a unique, impactful story.

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The game’s narrative strength lies in its richly crafted characters, authentic late-1960s atmosphere, sharp direction, and a wealth of truly dramatic, gut-wrenching moments. From the outset, Mafia 3 showcases masterful storytelling, with unique stylistic choices, high-quality cutscenes, and plot twists that, though sometimes predictable, resonate deeply as they reshape the lives of its characters. Alex Hernandez delivers a stellar performance as Lincoln Clay, a complex and tragic protagonist forced into dire circumstances. The supporting cast, including CIA Agent John Donovan (Lane Compton) and Father James Ballard (Gordon Greene), enrich the narrative with their unique perspectives, adding depth to the central conflict. Familiar faces like Vito Scaletta also return, connecting the story to earlier entries and providing continuity for long-time fans.

Mafia 3 also stands out for tackling serious and socially relevant topics. Its 1968 setting allows it to address issues such as the post-war struggles of a veteran, systemic racism, social injustice, and the cultural upheaval of the time. While the core of the story revolves around a traditional revenge plot, the nuanced and intelligent storytelling, presented almost like a documentary through multiple perspectives, elevates the narrative, and despite its gameplay shortcomings, Mafia 3 leaves a lasting impression. The success of Mafia: Definitive Edition further affirmed this, and now all eyes are on Mafia: The Old Country to build on this legacy and fully realize the series’ rich potential.

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