Review: The Godfather 2

The Godfather 2 brings a much more profane look at the world of gangsters in the 1960s.

In comparison with 2006′s The Godfather, this game has scads more cuss words and even some topless females. I suppose it’s an effort to raise the ante for games of this sort.

The game loosely follows the storyline of the second movie in the trilogy. The key players’ likenesses and voices are represented, with the glaring exception of Al Pacino as Michael Corleone. And given that Michael is the central character in the movie, that does cause some problems for the game.

But the bulk of the game, while wrapped in the trappings of the gangster lifestyle, really doesn’t track with the film of the same name.

Sure, there are cut scenes here and there that trot out the major characters as needed, and the locations are well represented. But considering that Michael was center stage through much of the movie, the game really couldn’t take the same tack.

Of course, you don’t play the game as Michael. You’re Dominic, an underboss who steps in as a Don early on. You are charged with eliminating the competition and building your “family” from the ground up.

That goal is a significant upgrade from the original game, which had you starting out as a lowly thug, working most of the game to climb the ranks.

As a Don, your main job in The Godfather 2 is to take down rival families – by taking over businesses, killing family members and ultimately storming the rival compound to eliminate the boss and establishing domination over the territory.

Being a boss does make asset management a key part of the game.

In addition to building and upgrading your family, you have to hire men to guard businesses, manage your expenses to keep your daily take growing, buy off corrupt officials and respond to takeover attempts. There’s a whole lot of micromanaging to be done.

Driving is also not as big a part of the game as the original, but in a good way. In the first game, the maps were bigger, but that meant there was a lot more driving just go form place to place – not very enjoyable. Maps in The Godfather 2 are tighter and easier to navigate.

The game does suffer from some graphical issues. People and vehicles pop in and out, seemingly at random. At one point, I was rammed by a police car that vanished on impact.

Also, the game chooses to ignore the consequences of walking off buildings, with Dominic being able to land safely no matter the height.

New to the series is what’s called the Don’s View – a top-down 3-D map with details of all of your dealings, your plans and your accomplishments. The Don’s View really helps in focusing on what needs to be accomplished. Being able to pan and zoom in on specific businesses and locations to gauge enemy strength and weaknesses makes planning simpler.

The game also features a fairly straightforward multiplayer option, with four modes – three tailored to the gangster genre.

Team Deathmatch – kill the other team, of course.

Demolition Assault – each team sends demolition experts to blow up locations in the other team’s territory.

FireStarter – burn things as arsonists.

Safecracker – crack safes and hold the territory for as long as possible.

The Godfather 2 is really a true Godfather game in name only, with just a passing nod to the movie. The overarching story is there as background, but that’s about it. It plays more like an italian Grand Theft Auto, but one that is not a visually pleasing.

Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rating: Mature Manufacturer: Electronic Arts Score: 7 guido chilies