 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mafia II
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
- Price: $49.99–$59.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Gripping, violent, GTA-type mob story for mature players.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Mafia II is most definitely not for kids, tweens, or teens. It is full of intense, realistic violence -- most of which is performed by you -- as well as immoral behavior, sex, drinking, drugs, and profanity. Characters you kill will spray blood, shout in agony, and fall to the ground in a realistic fashion. The game is centered on performing illegal tasks to make your way up in a criminal family -- this includes extortion, theft, dealing drugs, robbery, and murder. Plus, the foul language, sexual imagery (and a subservient portrayal of women), and drinking and driving all contributes to the apt "Mature" rating. Parents should also be aware that the game does feature real, photographic nudity -- the centerfolds are not just computer animation.
What's it about?
Step into the dark and dangerous world of organized crime in the 1940s and 1950s with MAFIA II, the sequel to the award-winning and best-selling game that delivered intense shootouts and white-knuckle car chases. This follow-up “sandbox”-style adventure is even more ambitious, as you’re immersed in a living, breathing city, populated by memorable characters. Even the storyline has a more epic feel. You play as Vito, a poor Italian-American who joins the mob with his childhood friend, Joe, to find wealth and respect as a “made man.” This third-person, single-player shooter starts with you taking on low-level jobs, such as intimidation and petty theft, but as you work your way up in the family you can expect many more challenging tasks -- and tough decisions that can alter the storyline. As with Mafia, you can take on missions in the order you choose.
Is it any good?
Mafia II can be a very good game, but strictly for mature gamers who recognize this as interactive fiction. Older gamers who are looking for a gripping Grand Theft Auto-style mob story won’t be disappointed with this ambitious, gratifying, and stylized shooter. Mafia II is a big game: The fictitious Empire Bay (based on New York City and San Francisco) boasts 10 square miles of virtual landscape to explore, all rendered in high-definition. Mid-20th century architecture, cars, fashion, music, and advertising are all authentically reproduced. Equally as impressive is the lack of load times and nearly two hours of in-game cinematics (with characters that, while sometimes over the top, are well-acted). You can also go out on your own and walk or drive around this bustling city. Downloadable add-on missions extend the gameplay further. Despite its controversial subject, Mafia II is a thoughtfully-designed and well-"executed" adventure. Note: All three versions of the game are the same, except for downloadable mission packs.
Online interaction: There is no multiplayer component but gamers can download new episodes online, such as "The Betrayal of Jimmy," free add-on content for PS3 gamers.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether gamers want sequels. Is this sequel merely trying to keep the Grand Theft Auto-style genre alive -- and counting on the controversy to help sales -- or is this meant to be harmless fun for mature gamers who want to vicariously step into the shoes of the mob. This game is sort of an interactive version of The Sopranos or The Godfather -- does the interactiveness make it more violent than the movies or TV shows.
The game is incredibly violent and bloody, but after experiencing the over-the-top violence of games like Grand Theft Auto, are we becoming desensitized to it?
Families can also discuss the portrayal of women in the game. Females are depicted as prostitutes, strippers, or nude models; any female characters are subservient to the men in the game. How does this affect your playing experience?
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Kid, 12 years old
January 4, 2011
AGE
very good game
lots of language (this game is in the record books for the f-bombs). f**k is used 200 times. all the following are used more than 5 times... p**y c**k s**t and other many swears. anyone can be shot with blood spray though if a civillian or police officer is shot you will be wanted. lots of drug refrences and use along with a lot of alchol use and smoking. images of REAL people can be colleted and you see them nude. there are sexual refrences including a charater having s*x (it's not seen) and the s***p place witch is one of the most rudest parts of the game. cut scenes are sometimes more violent than gameplay including a cut scene where a man burries a dead body, a man being stabbed in the neck with blood running down his neck, a man being slashed by knives and a man being shot by a shot gun and these are just off the top of my head. if a kid wants to play this make sure they do not pick up any magazines and if they can skip the cut scenes. overall the game is quite good and fun to play.
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Kid, 9 years old
January 17, 2011
AGE
its a great game I like how you can drive old cars. great game
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AGE
So not for kids!!
Very violent and inappropriate game!! Players can shoot innocent civilians, rob stores, shoot cops, steal cars, pay prostitutes to comit sexual acts with you, look at pictures of old Playboy magazines involving fulled nude women using drugs. Players also kill black gang members and get into fist fights with people. Players use various weapons to kill people.
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AGE
This is one of my favorite games I have! But it is also the most mature game I have. If you have scene a gangster movie, you know what this will be like. It doesn't hold back with nearly constant expletives being thrown out (language). The main character is about Vito who comes back from the war. Joe, his best friend, gets him into the business of organized gangs. All he wants is to get rich (bad role model) through any means necesary (violent). In one cut scene, he gets a job in a strip club, and Joe can be a bit of a lady's man (sexual).
But, its not all bad. It handles just like any other shooter, does not have online capabilities, and is the most true-to-life example of mobsters.
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Kid, 11 years old
November 16, 2011
AGE
Review for Mafia I not Mafia II
Look, Rockstar Games has come out with another M rated, violent video game. But trust me when I say this one isn't that bad. If you get your kid to skip all the cutscenes (where they swear) it will be ok. Besides - Why do we think and we are convinced that hearing bad language will let kids or adults go around swearing all the time? Maybe hearing bad language shows an example of people showing their expression, fear or feelings. And now we shall talk about violence: In this game, you will have guns, the ability to run over people, a ability to shoot, punch and all that. Wow, people complain about THIS? People, I don't know if you've noticed, but you can turn OFF the violence! There is a setting in which it says: Blood and turn that all the way down. There is no blood then. Ugh, lets talk about language: Okay, you know, tones of kids hear swearing on TV, and real life? So what if someone says a bad word? Your kid will forget about it in less than 2 days. Skipping a cutscene would be the best choice. I didn't really pay attention to the story, but it is as fun as heck to drive all these old-fashioned cars! To sum it all up, this game should not be compared to GTA at all, as every game is different. Kids at the age of 10 have experienced more bad stuff than 50% in this game. You can steal cars, but why not have some fun once in a while? So 10+ is my choice.
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AGE
NOT FOR KIDS UNDER 17
I love the game but the violence and the language and the nudity is not for KIDS it should be played by MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY
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Kid, 12 years old
January 7, 2011
AGE
Bloody, awful story, and boring
Mafia 2 is a very violent and much worse than any other M rated game I have played. You play as a world war 2 vet who wants to prove himself to the Mafia. The violence is very like GTA. You can kill police and random people walking on the streets. Pools of blood come out of the body after you kill them. Tons of awful language to. The N word is heard a lot. Sexual content in the game to.
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AGE
it is good
It is a good game but be carefull if you are buying it for a child i would hate to see this become the next GTA 4
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AGE
ugh....
i played the demo in the demo you start out in your house.then i walked to the coffe table it said press x to pick up.when i did it was a play boy magizine it showed a butt naked girl totally exposed.(nippl* and vigin*)
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AGE
Best game ever!
Great action, lots of violence, if you cant handle it, return it for elmos adventures or some kiddy game for the wii. it deserves the M rating for all of the reasons on the box, but a fantastic game!
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | 2K Games |
| Release date: | August 24, 2010 |
| Price: | $49.99–$59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | M for Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol |
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