A Great upgrade from its previous counterparts.
The City is huge with the major parts of New York including Midtown, Hell's Kitchen, LITTLE ITALY, Brooklyn and even New Jersey. each part is controlled by a family from the original motion picture. You eventually start taking over businesses and back room casino's and brothels to make the family and YOU profit. But watch out! Killing other family's men may gain you respect but also heat and vendetta levels with the rival family's.
Gameplay- One of the best movie games to date. When you go to watch the movie again you almost find yourself looking for your character because he was so well implemented into the story that you feel he was always there. Work your way up through the ranks to eventually become Don! However there are two words you ask yourself after u become Don "Now what?" Yep you guest it, its one of those games. After you become Don theres really nothing left to do. You have no sense of responsibility even though you should after all your in charge of NYC.
Sound- Amazing!!! Absolutely Amazing. Almost all the original cast does the voices like James Caan (Sonny) Robert Duvall (Tom) and some of Marlon Brando as he was dieing. However his voice was so garbled from Lung cancer and emphysema that they had to use someone else for some parts.
Graphics- A let down. One of the games weaker points is its graphics. I always think graphics determine a game and its realism. The game was originally supposed to have much better graphics but they toned them down for some strange reason. It doesn't show off the PS3's or 360's power at all and therefore decreases the value. But they weren't pathetic. It has the best fire effects I've seen to date and alot of other good visuals.
Overall a must have title especially if you love the Godfather. I am really excited for Mafia 2 and hopefully it will finally nab the feeling of the mob as the Godfather didn't.