The daddy of Italian mob flicks finally gets the digital treatment after gaming giants Electronic Arts snapped up the rights in an attempt to take on the might of the multi-million selling Grand Theft Auto series.
Few gaming firms would have dared to attempt a GTA beater, but EA reckon they have the connections to topple what many consider to be the best console series ever.
They say:
Gamespot: “Even if you've never seen the film, the satisfying combat and challenging missions make this game worth playing.”
PSW Magazine: “While you rarely feel like you're actually starring in a Godfather film, it's a good deal more entertaining than sitting through the DVD box set.”
IGN: “In the end, The Godfather is a reasonably solid game, though one that certainly has its share of flaws.”
We say:
If you fancy a bit of mob action, racketeering and Brando-style hustling you could do a lot worse than this.
As with GTA and bazooka blasting grandaddy Mercenaries , The Godfather's "sandbox" style play allows would-be mafia types to take whatever they fancy. Cars, businesses, you name it. So how does it measure up to Rockstar's classic series?
The Godfather's 1950s New York is visually awesome, with characters that look about as real as you can get on any console. But flaws in the combat system and other general niggles mean that EA won't be topping GTA just yet.
A top notch character targeting system means you can edge out of corners, peek round and fire. And the longer you aim, the more accurate the shot but – at the same time – the higher the risk to yourself.
You’re rewarded for speciality killings, such as taking out a thug’s knees or injuring another one of their limbs. What a mobster's gotta do, a mobster's gotta do.
The in-game training section helps you master the mechanics, but combat remains difficult when taking part in close-up shootouts. Moving from guns to hand combat is slow and painful, putting you in real danger of being taken out. The Don won't be pleased.
While GTA does a fantastic job of offering gamers intense, action packed driving missions, The Godfather has little of this. There are some stand out moments though, such as getting into a riot and stealth-ing up on unsuspecting residents.
The Godfather trumps GTA on the business side though. Want to burst into a store and extort the owner? Give it your best shot. Some will wave the white flag straight away, but most will require some tactical play first in order to get them out.
Once you do take over, you’ll enjoy all the money, power and territory that goes with it. And now our best Brando impersonation...
FORMATS
PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PC and PSP
POSTED...
Sat 8 Apr 2006 at 10:42am
