When Hangar 13 announced the Mafia: Definitive Edition remake, it promised an update and expansion to the original story and gameplay as well as the visuals. Now the team has begun to talk about what that entails.
Speaking to USgamer, Hangar 13 Chief Creative Officer Haden Blackman emphasized the way the team is giving players control over their experience. To that end, in addition to typical difficulty options, players will be able to select how present and punitive police are in Lost Heaven. Similarly, the driving mechanics will have two presets: a simulation-esque setting inspired by the original game and a more approachable option.
Mafia: Definitive Edition will additionally borrow the cover-based gunplay from Mafia III. However, the team is tweaking it to make it “a little bit more lethal” for protagonist Tommy Angelo as he lacks the military background of Lincoln Clay. The missions have also been an area of intense focus, with the team aiming to expand on story quests where possible while also providing a wider variety of side missions, after those were heavily criticized in Mafia III.
The expanded options and modernization of the gameplay have been made in an attempt to preserve “the challenge, tone, and the pace of the original” while also appealing to new fans. Another headline update has been to the story, with Hangar 13 promising to flesh out side characters. Blackman said that Tommy’s love interest Sarah will be one such character.
“She doesn’t get very much screen time, but she’s the heart of why Tommy Angelo is doing what he’s doing” in the original, he said. Her role has been expanded for the remake, positioning her as a foil for Tommy’s problems.
Mafia: Definitive Edition will launch on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on Aug. 28.
