The genre that GTA III built is getting over crowded. Regrettably, most of it is white noise, or cannon fodder, if you will.
The only standout in recent memory worth mentioning is Saints Row, a strong showing for the Xbox 360.
The obvious question remains: Has EA given us an offer we can't refuse? In short, yes, it has. The Godfather brings enough new to the table to not come off as an exact clone of the GTA series.
The game exhibits strong mechanics that are slightly flawed. With so much to trudge through in the open-word action adventure genre, this is quite acceptable.
The Godfather was released at the end of March for the PS2, PC and Xbox. I played the Xbox version, but wanted to wait for the Xbox 360 version. I am quite glad I did, and am surprised that it is not a strait port.
Other than the obvious addition of Achievement Points, (which are smartly designed to extend the game without milking it) The Godfather sports new missions, warehouses, drug rackets, and 25 new execution styles (even more bloody fun).
This adds hours of actual game play for those who love their open-word mayhem. A few other additions and enhancements were made, too.
Xbox Live functionality also comes by way of a rap sheet and online leaderboards.
In The Godfather, you play an active role in most of the major plot points of the classic 1972 film. The game stays true to the movie in most respects, though omissions, sub-plots, and characters were cut.
EA was able to bring in Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Abe Vigoda to provide the authentic voice for their characters in the film. It is a real shame that Al Pacino did not lend his voice, or likeness, to the game. Michael Corleone is severely hampered in the game because of this.
The game starts out with you, as a boy, seeing your father being gunned down. Fast-forward 10 years and we see your mother asking Don Corleone, at the wedding from the beginning of the movie, to help you out.
Luca Brasi gives you a short tutorial on hand-to-hand and gun combat, and you are then open to do what you please. The source material, with strong narrative, makes the game so rewarding to play.
Being an active part of the major parts of the film, rather than a passive bystander, is a very seductive draw.
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