The Godfather puts you in the shoes of a young mobster who climbs the ranks of the Corleon family set during the first two movies in the series. The storyline is nice in that you are responsible for a lot of what happens "off screen" during the films. The storyline isn't so good at drawing you into the game world. If you don't know the characters from the film, then you won't care who is who and why they do what they do.
For example, in the game a character dies that is supposed to give your character anger and motivation, but your involvement with this person isn't really fleshed out, so you don't care. Only later in the game does that death mean anything when it affects your relationship with a character that is more important to your storyline. Actually, this type of thing happens a few times.
Gameplay is essentially just like the Grand Theft Auto series in that there are missions to complete, side missions, things to collect, cars to steal, etc. It also controls the same way. In fact, it's a clone of the GTA series in almost every way except for the setting.
This is a fun game, but the big problem is that the side missions are way too repetitive and nothing drives you to play them. If you like to bully shopkeepers and get into random gunfights with rival mobs, then there is a lot of gameplay here. However, if you just run through the main storyline missions, the game can be beaten really quickly.
Variety in the missions isn't the only problem. You'll quickly notice that there are a total of 6 vehicle types in the game. Only 4 of which you'll have constant opportunities to drive without getting into a gang war. You'll also notice that there isn't a lot of variety in people or locations.
The weapons are a nice mix, but once you upgrade one or two to level 3 by buying upgrades you won't have use for them all. Some will still be useful for specific kills, but you won't use them in regular fights when you can get one shot kills with better weapons.
Another thing that is way out of whack is the purchase price for buying these upgrades. A good machine gun doesn't cost $500,000 today let alone in this setting. I understand the developers wanted to keep a player from having the best stuff right away, but how about giving out these upgrades for progressing in the game rather than making them something you have to buy?
Which leads me to something cool they did add which is the ability to upgrade your character's skills. Just like in any RPG, as you perform tasks, kill rivals, take over stores, etc. you'll get experience and eventually go up a level. When you do you get a skill point to assign to one of six catagories.
You'll need skills too because the AI cheats. The AI will always know where you are once you've been detected. Keep in mind that they have the same weapons that you carry, so expect to have your health drained very quickly if you aren't paying attention. Also, there are times when you'll be getting chased while driving somewhere and this is where the AI cheating is painful to watch. Hit the rear view button and you'll see what I mean.
Overall, the game is fun, but short. This is recommended for fans of The Godfather and the GTA series. If you're not a fan of either, skip it.
6 out of 10.
The Godfather - X-Box version reviewed
Everyone from the original cast came back to do their roles except Pacino.
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
Ever play the game Mafia?
Yes, and if you liked Mafia, you'll like The Godfather.
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
Yeah, I remember that being about the hardest part.That car race was friggin difficult.Damn I loved that game, I'll have to dig up my save files and finish it someday.Yes, and if you liked Mafia, you'll like The Godfather.
What I hated was that it had its own pre-determined save points, so you could get 25-30 minutes into something, then die 1 minute from a save point, and have to start all over. That and the driving so much were a bit tedious.
It's not me, it's someone else.
What I hated was that it had its own pre-determined save points, so you could get 25-30 minutes into something, then die 1 minute from a save point, and have to start all over. That and the driving so much were a bit tedious.
Save spots in this one too, but you "activate" them all over town. It's only an issue early on.
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
I read all about that race part all around the internet before I picked up the game. I was expecting the worst but beat it on the first try. I usually kinda suck at racing stuff so it must have been a fluke.Yeah, I remember that being about the hardest part.That car race was friggin difficult.Damn I loved that game, I'll have to dig up my save files and finish it someday.
What I hated was that it had its own pre-determined save points, so you could get 25-30 minutes into something, then die 1 minute from a save point, and have to start all over. That and the driving so much were a bit tedious.