Mafia (2024)
a FREE strategy game by ‘drunkeneye’ & Team for Atari XL/XE
Written for BrewOtaku #004 by Usman A. Khan
Think you’ve got what it takes to run the city’s underworld? Mafia hands you the keys to a fictional 1930 Chicago, where gambling, drug trafficking, and extortion are your tools of the trade.
“GANGLAND STATE OF MIND”
Initially released for the C64 in 1986 by the now defunct ‘Igelsoft’, Mafia shows off its simplistic graphics, enhanced by comic-style multicolour images for key buildings and events. The sound? Well, besides a few FX and jingles, it’s barely noticeable. Easy there, amigo. You’re not here for an audiovisual feast; you’re here to outwit the cops and outgun the competition in a world where your every move counts. Capeesh? New players roll for stats like intelligence, skill, and brutality before hitting the streets of a loose version of Chicago. You start with a small bankroll and no reputation, trying to build your empire through heists, street fights, and back-alley deals. The map includes banks, pubs, loan sharks, and other places you’ll need to navigate to climb the criminal ranks. The game’s RPG mechanics are light but present, affecting success in missions. Combat is a turn-based affair, where your gang and the opposition trade blows until one side is left standing.
You can’t die, but prison time will dock your score. The main objective? Either rack up the highest score by the game’s end or become the ‘Gangland King’ by robbing a cash transport, killing the mayor, and watching your score skyrocket.
Despite some clunky gameplay elements, Mafia holds up as an entertaining dive into the world of organized crime. Mafia was one of the earliest games to focus on crime, marking a bold example of how developers experimented with more mature themes.
Conclusion
For a game rewritten in 2024, Mafia is worth a trip down memory lane. You may spot the one or other improvement over the original. It’s a charming reminder of what early gaming is great for: Fast and easy entertainment. Children, don’t take this game as real life inspiration, it’s bad!
