Available on PS2, coming soon to Xbox

MAFIA, originally released on the PC two years ago, has finally been remade for the PSw and was worth the wait.

Mafia is set in the crime-stricken underworld of the 1930s.

You play as Thomas Angelo, a taxi driver who soon gets involved with the mob. Tasks begin with driving certain people around the city and gradually building up to some on-foot shooting action.

The game plays like a cross between The Getaway and Grand Theft Auto, supplying lots of tasks, yet giving you the freedom to roam the city.

However, the rules are tighter in Mafia. There are speed limits you need to stick to and zebra crossings and red lights you need to be aware of.

You can still hi-jack other cars and drive aimlessly around the city, but most cars are slow and are clumsy to handle, making the driving parts of the game less than desirable.

Graphically, Mafia suffers when being compared to GTA and The Getaway.

Scenery tends to be a little bland. Plus during shooting scenes, it does not matter how many times you shoot at a building, there is no sign of any damage.

Cut scenes, however, play well and although a little sketchy, make up for the exterior driving scenes.

Overall, gameplay and storyline is good, but like other PS2 games the graphics are noticeably poor in parts.

Yet this third person, action-crime game will still satisfy typical gamers of this genre.

RATING: 8/10

TOP 10

1 Mafia

2 Need for Speed: Underground

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4 GTA Double Pack

5 Medal of Honor: Rising Sun

6 Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

7 Simpsons Hit n'Run

8 The Sims Bustin' Out

9 Eye Toy Play + Camera

10 Fifa 2004

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