Introduction to Mafia
Mafia II, an open-world action-adventure game, was developed by 2K Czech and released by 2K Games in 2010. Set against the backdrop of a post-World War II city, Empire Bay, the game follows the life of Vito Scaletta, a young man who becomes embroiled in the criminal underworld. With its detailed setting and narrative depth, Mafia II offers players a richly immersive experience. Available on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, the game was initially met with mixed reviews but enjoyed commercial success. This success led to the development of a sequel and, eventually, a remastered version of the game in 2020 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Game Premise and Setting
Mafia II is set in the fictional city of Empire Bay, a sprawling urban environment inspired by New York City. The game spans from 1945 to 1951, capturing the post-war era’s atmosphere and the rise of organized crime. Players navigate this world from a third-person perspective, exploring the city on foot or in various vehicles. The open-world design offers significant freedom, but the game’s core focus remains on its narrative and mission structure.
The game’s freedom comes with constraints; players must be mindful of the Wanted system, which prompts police chases when crimes are committed. Despite this open-world element, Mafia II encourages players to focus on story missions, as these missions define the city’s state and the progression of the plot. The storyline is linear, with limited player choices impacting the outcome, a feature that has drawn criticism for its repetitiveness and lack of meaningful player agency.
Key Characters in Mafia II
The narrative of Mafia II is driven by its complex characters, each contributing to the game’s rich story:
- Vito Scaletta: The protagonist, Vito Scaletta, returns from World War II only to find himself disillusioned with civilian life. Seeking purpose, he becomes involved with the Falcone crime family. His journey through the criminal underworld forms the backbone of the game.
- Joe Barbaro: Vito’s best friend and a member of the Clemente crime family, Joe introduces Vito to the world of organized crime. Joe’s character adds depth to Vito’s story, providing a personal connection to the criminal world.
- Carlo Falcone: The Don of the Falcone crime family, Carlo Falcone starts as a mentor figure but soon reveals his true nature as the antagonist of the game. His complex relationship with Vito drives much of the conflict in the story.
Evolution of the Mafia Series
The Mafia series, though beloved, has not achieved the mainstream success of franchises like Grand Theft Auto. Published by 2K Games, the series has had its share of ups and downs. It includes:
- Mafia (2002): The original game introduced players to the world of organized crime in the 1930s, setting the stage for the series.
- Mafia II (2010): The sequel expanded on the original’s formula, introducing a new setting and a more modern narrative.
- Mafia III (2016): Set in the 1960s, Mafia III continued the series with a new protagonist and a different narrative focus.
- Mafia: Definitive Edition (2020): A full remake of the original game, bringing updated graphics and gameplay to modern audiences.
- Mafia II: Definitive Edition (2020): A remastered version of Mafia II, enhancing the graphics and gameplay for newer consoles.
Cheat Codes and Exploits in Mafia II
Unlike its predecessor, Mafia II does not feature traditional cheat codes. By 2010, cheat codes were becoming less common, reflecting a shift in the gaming industry. However, players can still use various exploits and tricks to gain advantages in the game.
Money Exploits
One of the most sought-after resources in Mafia II is money. Players can use the following exploit to quickly amass wealth:
- Visit Bruski’s Scrapyard: Go to Bruski’s Scrapyard, where you will find a car next to the car crusher.
- Crush the Car: Break into the car and use the car crusher to destroy it. This action will grant you $400.
- Exit and Re-enter: Drive out of the scrapyard through the north exit. Continue driving until you pass under a bridge, then turn around and return to the scrapyard.
- Repeat the Process: The car will respawn. Crush it again for more money. Repeating this process allows you to accumulate a significant amount of money quickly.
This method can be repeated as many times as needed, making it an effective way to build up your in-game wealth.
City Points Exploit
For players aiming to achieve the “Millionaire” achievement, city points are crucial. Use the following exploit to earn city points quickly:
- Drive to Sand Island: Find the store labeled “Luncheonette Natural Food & Vitamins.”
- Break Through the Window: Drive through the store’s window to trigger a glitch that causes Vito to fall through the map.
- Let the Game Run: Leave the game running for about four hours. During this time, you will continuously earn city points due to the glitch.
- Monitor Your Progress: After four hours, you should accumulate around 1,000,000 city points. You don’t need to be actively playing, but the game must remain running for the entire duration.
This method, while unorthodox, provides a faster route to achieving the “Millionaire” status compared to normal gameplay.
Playboy Magazine Locations
Mafia II features collectible Playboy magazines scattered throughout the game. Collecting these magazines is essential for completionists. Here’s a comprehensive guide to their locations:
- Chapter 2:
- Inside Joe’s apartment, on the coffee table (#1).
- In Bruski’s Scrapyard, on a shelf in the three-car garage (#3).
- Chapter 3:
- On the left of Derek’s Office exterior (#18).
- In Maria Agnello’s apartment building entrance (#4).
- Chapter 4:
- Next to a box of books on the floor after exiting the bookstore (#9).
- Under the stairs after the previous magazine (#2).
- Chapter 5:
- In 233 Misery Lane, between two doors (#11).
- In The Distillery office (#10).
- Chapter 6:
- In the prison yard, behind the bleachers (#13).
- Across the basketball court, between a shed and a fence (#14).
- Chapter 7:
- On the top floor of Joe’s apartment building (#50).
- On the second-floor landing of the Scaletta Apartment building (#17).
- Chapter 8:
- On the kitchen table after Vito wakes up (#46).
- In a shack on top of a drum in the foundry (#19).
- Chapter 9:
- At The Maltese Falcon, at the end of the bar (#41).
- Down a tunnel on the left after Vito is drowned in sewage (#23).
- Chapter 10:
- On a desk in the room marked “Daily Room” (#25).
- Near the control panel of the window washer’s lift on the roof (#26).
- Chapter 11:
- On the windowsill in Galante Mansion (#47).
- In a wicker basket in the bathroom (#29).
- Chapter 12:
- In the corner behind a bin at Sea Gift Fishing Co. (#31).
- On the floor at the top of the staircase after the “cops” cutscene (#33).
- Chapter 13:
- On the balcony seat of a booth in The Red Dragon (#34).
- On a crate in an empty room downstairs from the Buddha statue (#36).
- Chapter 14:
- Behind a wall to the southeast of the building (#44).
- On a pallet to the left after climbing over scaffolding (#37).
- Chapter 15:
- Down the stairs in the first room you enter (#45).
- Behind a corner in the telescope room (#39).
FAQs About Mafia II Cheats
Why Aren’t There Any Mafia II Cheat Codes?
By the time Mafia II was released in 2010, cheat codes were becoming less common. The gaming industry had started moving away from cheat codes, with many games focusing on other forms of gameplay enhancement. The original Mafia game, released in 2002, included cheat codes, but Mafia II did not follow this tradition. The trend continued with Mafia III, which also lacked cheat codes, reflecting a broader shift in gaming design.
Can I Mod Mafia II Instead?
For PC players, modding provides an alternative to cheat codes. Although the modding community for Mafia II is not as active as for other games, there are still various mods available on platforms like Nexus Mods. These mods can enhance the gameplay experience, introduce new features, or modify existing ones. However, modding does not replace the traditional cheat codes and may require some technical knowledge to implement.
Are There Cheats for Mafia II: Definitive Edition?
Mafia II: Definitive Edition is a remastered version of the original game, bringing updated graphics and gameplay improvements. Despite these enhancements, it retains the same features and limitations as the original game, including the lack of cheat codes. Players looking for cheats or exploits will need to rely on the same methods used in the original version.
Conclusion
Mafia II offers a captivating glimpse into the post-war criminal world of Empire Bay. While traditional cheat codes are absent, players can still exploit glitches and use in-game methods to enhance their experience. Whether accumulating wealth through money exploits, achieving city points quickly, or locating collectible Playboy magazines, players have various strategies at their disposal.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, cheat codes have become less common, but creativity and resourcefulness remain key for players looking to maximize their enjoyment of Mafia II. The game’s rich narrative and immersive setting provide a compelling backdrop for these exploits, ensuring that Empire Bay remains an engaging and dynamic world to explore.
Whether you’re a veteran of the series or new to the world of organized crime, understanding these cheats and exploits can enhance your experience in Mafia II. Enjoy your journey through Empire Bay, and may your criminal endeavors be successful!