When you think Mafia, you most likely think of a very specific stereotype. Namely a wiseguy with slick hair, an even slicker suit and some sort of Sicilian heritage. That’s your typical Mafia goon. But Mafia 3 is ditching that kind of protagonist, for some new blood.
Specifically one Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam war veteran who finds himself going back to the front in New Orleans as he tackles organised crime in an effort to establish his own criminal empire.
Set in 1968, Mafia 3 stars Clay as a half-black, half-white lead character in a story that will focus on how the everyday racism of that time impacted on that orphan. Having no real blood family of his own, Clay found brothers and sisters during his a tour of Vietnam.
That family grew when he joined the “Black Mob” on his return to the states, but all was lost when the Italian Mafia arrived in town and wiped Clay and his adopted blood out. Barely surviving, Clay naturally wants some revenge. Here’s the first reveal trailer for Mafia 3:
If there’s one thing that Mafia games have always gotten right, it’s story. Mafia 2 focused on the World War 2 era exploits of Vito Scaletta, but I’m liking this new direction. Clay looks like a great anti-hero, and fighting the mob feels refreshing. Mafia 3 will also allow Clay to raise lieutenants in his army, high-ranking right hands who’ll help you take control of the city.
Vito Scaletta also returns, and you’ll have access to his small army of goons. The key hook here however, is that your three lieutenants can bestow special abilities on you, based on your treatment of them. If you don’t think your number two is doing a good job, you can also ensure that they sleep with the fishes.
It’s going to be interesting watching this game develop, as the 1960s were a massive period of change. Which is hopefully we’ll see more of in a genre that has become a bit tired of the usual organised crime clichés.
Last Updated: August 5, 2015
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 5, 2015 at 14:35
I hope the change in era also means the car handling improves a crap load. Mafia 2’s was… not good. And you had to spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 5, 2015 at 14:35
I hope the change in era also means the car handling improves a crap load. Mafia 2’s was… not good. And you had to spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 5, 2015 at 14:35
I hope the change in era also means the car handling improves a crap load. Mafia 2’s was… not good. And you had to spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 5, 2015 at 14:35
I hope the change in era also means the car handling improves a crap load. Mafia 2’s was… not good. And you had to spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
Pariah
August 5, 2015 at 14:39
Wait, so you want to see less organised crime cliches in a game based on organised crime? Set in the 60’s. The period with almost as many cliches as the 90s. O_o
Pariah
August 5, 2015 at 14:39
Wait, so you want to see less organised crime cliches in a game based on organised crime? Set in the 60’s. The period with almost as many cliches as the 90s. O_o
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 5, 2015 at 14:42
“the usual organised crime cliches”
Pariah
August 5, 2015 at 14:44
So he wants different cliches. Wait, I’ve got it! Since gangsters say “sleep with the fishes” – how about you get to own a ship. And there’s an underwater base. YES
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 5, 2015 at 14:54
Oh you.
Pariah
August 5, 2015 at 14:44
So he wants different cliches. Wait, I’ve got it! Since gangsters say “sleep with the fishes” – how about you get to own a ship. And there’s an underwater base. YES
Pariah
August 5, 2015 at 14:44
So he wants different cliches. Wait, I’ve got it! Since gangsters say “sleep with the fishes” – how about you get to own a ship. And there’s an underwater base. YES
Pariah
August 5, 2015 at 14:44
So he wants different cliches. Wait, I’ve got it! Since gangsters say “sleep with the fishes” – how about you get to own a ship. And there’s an underwater base. YES
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 5, 2015 at 14:42
“the usual organised crime cliches”
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 5, 2015 at 14:42
“the usual organised crime cliches”
Pariah
August 5, 2015 at 14:39
Wait, so you want to see less organised crime cliches in a game based on organised crime? Set in the 60’s. The period with almost as many cliches as the 90s. O_o
Pariah
August 5, 2015 at 14:39
Wait, so you want to see less organised crime cliches in a game based on organised crime? Set in the 60’s. The period with almost as many cliches as the 90s. O_o
Geoffrey Tim
August 5, 2015 at 14:45
A game that actually plays on racial tensions, starring a black dude in 60;s America? I AM SO INTRIGUED.
Geoffrey Tim
August 5, 2015 at 14:45
A game that actually plays on racial tensions, starring a black dude in 60;s America? I AM SO INTRIGUED.
Geoffrey Tim
August 5, 2015 at 14:45
A game that actually plays on racial tensions, starring a black dude in 60;s America? I AM SO INTRIGUED.
Geoffrey Tim
August 5, 2015 at 14:45
A game that actually plays on racial tensions, starring a black dude in 60;s America? I AM SO INTRIGUED.
The Sten
August 5, 2015 at 14:49
A mixed race gangster?
PAPA WAG VIR JOU
The Sten
August 5, 2015 at 14:49
A mixed race gangster?
PAPA WAG VIR JOU
The Sten
August 5, 2015 at 14:49
A mixed race gangster?
PAPA WAG VIR JOU
Jonah Cash
August 5, 2015 at 14:52
Great trailer. That has me interested… Who am I kidding, I loved 2 so much I would buy 3 just because of that love!
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 5, 2015 at 15:02
I wonder how many packs of Texan Plain he had to smoke to sound like that.
Brady miaau
August 5, 2015 at 15:58
Dunno, my uncle smoked two packs a day for over 30 years, never got close to sounding like that.
Jonah Cash
August 5, 2015 at 14:52
Great trailer. That has me interested… Who am I kidding, I loved 2 so much I would buy 3 just because of that love!
Jonah Cash
August 5, 2015 at 14:52
Great trailer. That has me interested… Who am I kidding, I loved 2 so much I would buy 3 just because of that love!
Jonah Cash
August 5, 2015 at 14:52
Great trailer. That has me interested… Who am I kidding, I loved 2 so much I would buy 3 just because of that love!
Generic ZA
August 5, 2015 at 14:58
Looks good and I enjoyed the previous 2, but I’m gonna need me a mafia style laundry to be able to buy all the games I want to between now and the end of the year. ;P
Brady miaau
August 5, 2015 at 15:53
Like one episode of the Blacklist. Liz comes looking for Red and he sitting in the Garage of a “Soccer” Mom as she makes money there. Just random and nothing to do with the plot, but very funnily staged.
Lardus-Resident Perve
August 5, 2015 at 15:07
Who else remembers that great game Gangsters Organised Crime?
Dutch Matrix
August 5, 2015 at 15:47
I does!
WitWolfy
August 5, 2015 at 15:32
Looks purdy.. Maybe I’ll be able to play snadbox games again once this releases.
WitWolfy
August 5, 2015 at 15:32
Looks purdy.. Maybe I’ll be able to play snadbox games again once this releases.
Viking Of Science
August 5, 2015 at 15:50
Dat shiny skin textures, tho…. :