5 reasons to replay Mafia 3 in 2024

The upcoming release of Mafia: The Old Country has ignited interest in 2K's long-running franchise, which had its first entry back in 2002. While the first and second games are often looked back upon rather fondly, that isn't the case for the third entry.

Debuting in 2016, Mafia 3 was plagued with bugs and had poor performance regardless of the hardware. However, the game has been significantly improved, and Lincoln Clay's journey is certainly not worth missing.

This article lists five reasons why you should consider playing Mafia 3 again in the present day.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer

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5 reasons to replay Mafia 3 in 2024

1) A great story

Mafia 3's story can be rather enjoyable (Image via 2K/Steam)

Mafia 3 follows Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam war veteran coming back to his hometown in the late 1960s expecting to return to a normal civilian life. Not long after he returns, however, his world is turned upside down. He faces betrayal and unwanted violence, which he wants to get away from.

In addition to the main story, there are also three DLCs called Stones Unturned, Faster, Baby! and Sign of the Times. Some of Lincoln's choices throughout the story can affect the game's eventual ending, allowing for different story paths.

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2) Some fantastic music choices

The game's soundtrack is quite the treat to one's ears (Image via 2K/Steam)

The 1960s were an extraordinary era for pop culture, and the music of that time is no exception. The soundtrack of Mafia 3 captures this perfectly, featuring era-appropriate songs and tunes. These tracks play throughout the game’s three radio stations — WBYU, WNBX, and WVCE — and as ambient music.

The game’s radio stations boast tunes from iconic artists like the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and Aretha Franklin. The music effectively encapsulates the vibe of the game's setting, immersing players in the era.

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3) Era-appropriate vehicles

Driving era-appropriate vehicles is incredibly immersive (Image via 2K/Steam)

Mafia 2 offers a wide range of controllable vehicles, including cars, trucks, utility vehicles, boats, and more. It employs a vehicle delivery system similar to Watch Dogs 2. There is no option to store vehicles in a garage or safe house.

However, these vehicles on offer are era-appropriate and can be challenging to handle. Many cars feature immense turning circles and slow acceleration. Nonetheless, driving an open-top vehicle with 60s music playing can make these challenges more enjoyable.

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4) A unique underboss system

The choices made in the underboss system can affect the game's ending (Image via 2K/Steam)

As Lincoln advances in the game, he gains increasing influence and can allocate his territories among trusted allies. Throughout his journey, he encounters up to three allies whom he entrusts with control over different areas.

The choices made here are crucial; neglecting an underboss can be seen as disrespectful, potentially causing a rift between them and Lincoln. Conversely, efficiently distributing territory can result in balanced control over the city and passive benefits from the underbosses.

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5) Performance enhancements and bug fixes

The game has been improved in terms of performance and bug fixes since its initial launch (Image via 2K/Steam)

Upon its release, Mafia 3 was riddled with numerous bugs and significant performance issues. Some were game-breaking, while others were simply irritating. These problems greatly impacted the game's initial reception.

While some bugs are still present in the game, the performance has improved significantly, especially with the recent Definitive Edition rebranding. This makes replaying the game a much better experience than before.

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Read more gaming articles below:

• 5 things we can expect in Mafia: The Old Country
• Mafia The Old Country debuts trailer at TGA, confirms protagonist and setting