The Real Godfather Video Game
In my opinion, the best games are always extremely immersive. this is what kept games like Assassins Creed from achieving greatness; they pull you out of the game constantly with little hints and reminders. All the aspects of Mafia are blended within the game to the point of perfection. The game lets you learn by giving you missions to drive around the city in the form of taxi missions, but what are really a set of missions designed to help you get to know the city better. Everything is justified, nothing left unexplained.
Mafia presents itself in a highly cinematic way, with cutscenes seamlessly integrated into the missions. There are no loading screens between gameplay and cutscenes (for the most part), which really immerses you in the mission. The story is really good, and really gets you involved. You aren't just watching the story unfold as the player, you are taking part in it. The characters are well rounded and develop throughout the game, the plot twists enough to stay unpredictable, the cutscenes are never boring, and the characters in your gang are likable.
The gameplay itself, the heart of any good game, is surprisingly varied. You will drive people around the cities, make pick ups and deliveries, perform hitman style assassinations, enter races, full on gang wars, stealth missions, its amazing how different each mission is from the last. The gunplay is well done, with different weapons feeling as they should. Because of these things, the game never gets old, and you will want to see it through to the end.
Few games these days offer such a streamlined, polished, well crafted package as Mafia. The game is a pleasure to play, the 1930's atmosphere is spot on, down to the music, the story is interesting and draws you in. There are no notable flaws in this game, it is simply one of the best action games ever made, and will remain a classic for the duration of gaming.