The Godfather: The Game
By Aaron Lazenby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Gory game may satisfy movie's fans -- adults only.
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What you will—and won't—find in this game.
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Based on 6 parent reviews
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this looks pretty awesome
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What’s It About?
Players control a young hood whose mother asks Don Vito Corleone to find a place for him in his more established -- and somehow more respectable -- crime family. Players work their way up in the syndicate's structure by extorting businesses controlled by rival families, performing contract killing, and generally hustling on the street. When Vito Corleone faces a life-or-death crisis, players make a name for themselves in the organization and begin their fight to become crime king of New York.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of the movies may have fun with the Godfather-based material: Familiar faces and scenes pop up, and dialogue is often straight from the movie. Players chat with hotheaded Sonny Corleone or drive the hapless Fredo around town. They hide the gun for Michael to retrieve and visit Hollywood to deposit a bloody -- uh, present -- in the bed of an uncooperative producer.
But there aren't enough of these moments. Mostly players operate around the Godfather story, not getting involved in its unfolding. Missing that connection, The Godfather: The Game seems to exploit the most brutal aspects of the films without expanding its narrative. What we're left with is a well-executed and fun-enough Grand Theft Auto knock-off (with all the associated liabilities) dressed up in a snappy pinstriped suit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the Academy Award-winning film and cast (Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall both lend their voices to the game) influence the perception of the game. Is the violence and vulgarity legitimized by The Godfather name? Can movie-based video games ever be something more than an extended marketing vehicle for their source material?
Game Details
- Platform: PlayStation 2
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release date: July 6, 2006
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating: M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Last updated: November 4, 2015
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