Mafia II would like to have a word with you.

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The story of Mafia II centers on the life of Vito, an Italian American living in Empire City (i.e. New York City). Vito, as you can guess, adopts the life of a mobster as he gets deeper and deeper into the world of organized crime. I'd tell you specifics but 2K Games is rather keen on keeping the plot spoiler free. Which is for the best, anyhow, as the story is actually quite engaging and features an interesting cast of characters.

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Plot aside; it's the setting of Mafia II that is the real show stealer. Most games take place in modern or recent society, and for good reason. The 1940s and 1950s, while rich in culture in their own right, don't have the same number of options available to a game setting as more recent times. So while the radio stations may be limited and the songs a little less popular to the modern audiences, Mafia II is able to explore a largely neglected period in gaming.

The variety of vintage cars populating the streets serves as a reminder of just how cool the mid-20th century was. Outfitting Vito in a classic trench coat and suit is oddly satisfying and brings to mind classic movies starring Humphrey Bogart. Artists such as Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, and Fats Domino on the radio serve as a constant reminder that this was a completely different era that has been romanticized on numerous occasions.

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Unfortunately it's Mafia II's gameplay that serves as the biggest downfall and keeps it from being a truly elite summer title. Let me be clear up front, gameplay isn't BAD, it just isn't anything special. Take the first chapter for example. Without getting into the plot, the game starts with you in a third-person shooter type environment, utilizing the game's cover system. It's perfectly adequate but it's obvious that Mafia II isn't a third-person shooter, but rather a third-person sandbox game dabbling in the shooter genre. The cover system is rather simplistic and a bit rough around the edges yet perfectly acceptable. It serves its purpose and adds some enjoyable variety to the game, but isn't as refined as what you're used to.

The shooter aspect would be easier to gloss over if the sandbox gameplay was truly wide open and unique. It's unavoidable that when gamers think of a sandbox game that they think of the Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto franchise, and for good reason. The GTA games are known as much for their stories as they are for the variety of things to do when you decide the plot isn't for you. While Mafia II's strength lies in its main plot, there is precious little interesting to do or challenges to uncover when going rogue is your thing. After my tenth or so killing spree downtown it dawned on me that, while fun, it was decidedly less fun than a Grand Theft Auto five star car chase.

That's really how Mafia II shapes up, really. It is fun. The story is interesting, with twists and turns that spice up the journey of Vito's life and the setting is unique and stylish. Yet despite the fun you're having, it's apparent that Mafia II won't be in the running for the sandbox genre's Mount Rushmore. Maybe it's due to being ridiculously spoiled by the journey that was Red Dead Redemption, but Mafia II feels like a solid game that came to the party just a bit too late.