Definitive Edition not available in the original game

Mafia: Definitive Edition came out almost 4 years ago today and with its recent addition to Xbox Game Pass, more people are getting to experience it now than ever before. The remake of the 2002 classic has been praised by many for its many upgrades, from the quality of life changes to the major visual changes.

A screenshot from the game of a mafia character in combat.
The third main game in the series didn’t receive as much praise as the first two. | Image credit: Hedgehog on YouTube

One of the most notable upgrades is the game’s expanded viewing distance, allowing players to fully appreciate the grandeur of 1930s cities, something that was sorely lacking in the original due to technical limitations at the time.

Mafia: Definitive Edition Is a remake worth watching?

In the original MafiaPlayers were limited by a draw distance of only a few hundred meters, which the hardware at the time could handle. This made it impossible to see the grander vistas of Lost Heaven, as you would compared to the visual capabilities of games today.

According to the Mafia Interview with developer on the occasion of the 20th anniversary. This limitation affected the overall feeling and immersion that the developers were aiming for.

The original Mafia had many technical limitations. For example, the viewing distance was only a few hundred meters, which meant you never got a grand view of the city.

Mafia: Definitive Edition fixes this by increasing the draw distance, giving players a wide, scenic view that better captures the aesthetic of a bustling 1930s city. This upgrade is one of many ways the remake makes the game feel new, and the success of this upgrade is evident in the game’s success on Game Pass.

With Mafia: Definitive Edition, we had the great opportunity to improve upon the vision of the first game. Suddenly, we could create picturesque vistas and better express the atmosphere of the cities of the 1930s.

The remake has vastly improved the overall graphical quality, particularly in character and vehicle models. The original was clearly limited by the technology of its time, so the upgrade was very welcome.

Players can now enjoy the detailed environments and breathtaking views of the city and feel the atmosphere of the 1930s of the game. The visual transformation of the city makes the game feel much more alive compared to the original.

The remake changes more than just the graphics, though

A still from Mafia: Definitive Edition.
The remake is an improvement in every aspect of the game. | Image credit: Hangar 13/2K Games

Mafia: Definitive Edition also completely reworks many gameplay mechanics, from the cover system to ballistics and driving physics. The cover system and shooting feel were a bit lacking in the original. But that has been addressed in the remake, bringing the game’s combat up to modern standards.

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The world of Lost Heaven has also received a much-needed facelift. In the original game, the vastness of the city felt somewhat barren due to the technical limitations of the time. The remake has significantly increased the level of incidental detail in alleys, side streets and interiors.

It also features an improved story. For example, Sarah is a character from the original game who was initially sidelined and had little involvement in the story. In the Definitive Editionher role has expanded, making her interactions with Tommy more meaningful.

There are a lot of changes like this that really make the remake stand out. Its success on Game Pass is a much-needed win for Xbox given recent events. And for those with access to Xbox Game Pass, this definitive version of Mafia offers the perfect opportunity to replay the game or discover it for the first time.

Have you had a chance to play? Mafia: Definitive Edition? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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