Very cool game.
It starts out with you as a little kid who watches your dad get whacked. Then it fast-forwards nine years to you starting out as a small-time thug for the Don. Quick comments I will post more later. Only 5 hours into it.
- the process of taking over all businesses and rackets is kind of tedious. There is not enough variety. All buildings of one type (hotel, bakery, etc...) are the same inside. Threaten the owner, beat the crap out of the other family's guys who are protecting the business, trash the store, and then threaten the owner again to extort him. This unlocks the door to the back room where you sometimes find a racket which you do the same thing to (whack guys and threaten the owner)
- You can buy different clothes for the guy and make him look however you want which is pretty cool
- The missions are kind of cool so far. Whacking guys, protecting your guys, making hits, rescuing the girl (haven't done many since I am trying to take over Little Italy right now)
- You can hijack trucks, rob banks, steal cars all when you want to (these are not missions just free-play)
- You earn better skills as you progress (fighting/weapons/speed)
- You have a pretty good status screen that keeps track of all the businesses and which family controls them so you can mark them on a map and not waste time looking for them.
- You can bribe the cops.
- Some stores agree to pay you without any fight.
- They will pay you more the more you beat them first.
- The cars are not very cool
- You have safe houses just like GTA
Overall it definitely has GTA influence. Not nearly as cool, but a good solid game. It may get better as I progress. I am not very far up the family ladder yet. Worth the $$$ IMO
