The Godfather

"I'll go ahead and tell you right now... I prefer to be on top."

When people think of the Godfather movies, they think of some of the best movies ever made (well giving a nod to the third one of course.) Now we have an opportunity to experience some of the movie and yet an entirely different story all together. The Godfather The Game, is in many ways like the Grand Theft Auto games, but what I discovered with this one, is that unlike the GTA's I actually enjoyed every moment of this game. It may lack of the more tuned game play elements of its counterpart and hoard a lot of similar character, environment, and car models, but this doesn't hinder the games magnificence. The Godfather, would be nothing short of satisfied. Capice?

Gameplay

The game play is phenomenal with tons of things to do you're never left bored. Extorting businesses for cash, and obtaining them from rival families to extend your family's control is a big part of the game. Other then that, you can take up job offerings, such as hit contracts on enemies of the Corleone family. Bribing corrupt FBI agents and police officers help with certain factors of game play, as do bombing rival families headquarter compounds. I love the many different ways you can kill people in this game too. Such as tossing people into a fire, throwing them off roof tops, or simply just choking them to death. Scoring with prostitutes and taking over rackets, blowing up safes, robbing banks. It's all part of the game's grandeur. There are also bonus reel clips from the movie that can be found and obtained, these can be hard but are worth it. Respect points, and moving up through the ranks in the family are the step ladder of success. Plus there's a cool customization menu where you can dress and edit your character to your liking. My only complaint is the game had to end.

9/10

Story

The Story of the Godfather the Game, like I mentioned before takes part with the movie and yet some other totally different things. You play as a character default named Aldo, bent out for revenge from the death of his father. He joins the Corleone's moving up through the ranks performing all kinds of tasks for the family. Love, death, deception, betrayal is all abundant in here. You're only choice is too hang on for the ride, and do your Don's bidding. Besides, who doesn't like to go out and whack people?

10/10

Graphics and Sound

The graphics are very nice, character models are nicely designed, vehicles (although limited in selection) look great, and the cities and buildings all look as you would expect them too. It has a very sassy 1940's feel. The sound is great, you have all the familiar background tunes from the movies, and the environment sound effects are great too. Character voice actor's sound amazing and the language found in the game is very Italian and flavorful. I just love some of the unintentional quotes the games NPC's give you. Such as extorting a business man for cash in front of a rival family, then they say “My loyalty belongs to the Corleone's” all the while the rival family is looking on. It's all too funny.

8/10

Playtime/Re-Playability

This game is roughly 40 hours worth. Of course that's just regular play. That doesn't include getting everything such as the hidden reels. If one were to obtain everything without a guide, it would probably take around 50 hours, some things are just too well hidden. Hopefully you'll do well to explore the areas you come to well enough. As for replay value, this game is nothing but replay value. Chocked to the brim and over flowing with substance. I'd imagine you skipping a chance to play a new game just to play this one over again.

8/10

Final Verdict

Rent or buy? This is not a game you rent, this is a game you go out and purchase. So go out and pay the price for it, it doesn't disappoint. Just be sure to have a supply of food and drink by your side, because once you pick up the game and turn it on, it's hard to stop playing other then to get some much needed sleep.

8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/06/06