Customer Reviews

The Godfather: The Game

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Though most of the game concept was lifted from GTA, it still manages to come up with some original flavor into it, thanks to the unforgettable characters that made The Godfather a classic. Amazingly, the game isn't just a drive around and do missions. It actually leaves you free to walk around and do things that will affect your business as a "made-man" with the Corleone family. Yes, you have to do the missions to keep the story moving but at the same time, you can ignore the missions and just go about doing other things to increase your "business" and contribute to the Corleone family. Take for example what I did in the game. I did about 50% of the missions and I decided to just clean-up Little Italy (where the Corleone family is based) from the Tattaglias; taking over these businesses, their warehouses.

One interesting mode in the game is the "Mob War" mode. This happens when you hit a crime family too much, they eventually declare a mob war with the Corleone family. Only to win a mob war is to either bomb one of their properties or pay an FBI agent to come down hard on the rival family. It's good fun really, and quite different. I usually bomb a place and then head to my apartment and let things calm down a bit. These fresh concepts make this game quite unique in its way.

Speaking of families, you need to wrestle control of NY from all the other rival families. The biggest rival that you'll be pitted against is the Barzini family who owns Manhattan. By the way, the game recreates an almost perfect replica of New York, even the streets are accurate. I know because I'm from NYC. One trick I did to test the accuracy was fifth avenue and madison ave. Fifth avenue is just across Madision ave, which is correct in the game. Canal St. and Mott St. are real streets in NY, with Canal St. being Chinatown today.

Going back to what I am doing now with the game, I've basically knocked out Tattaglia from NY. Only thing left is go to and overrun his family compound. One important tip if you're planning to buy this game. The moment you get about $16,000 in the game, buy yourself the most expensive shoes, suits, hat, and glasses. These accessories give Bonus Respect points on your character. Very important if you want to get that extra boost of respect points to get to the top.

So is this game worth it? Yes definitely. If you are into mobster-themed games, look no further. This is almost almost real-life. By the way, prepare to die a lot in this game. This game is not easy. Be patient and keep buying those safehouses all over NY. This is where you can save your progress and start off in case you get "ICED".

This is a great game. Violent as all get out but hey, that's life in the family. Definitely NOT for kids though.

The graphics of the game are very good. The characters look fairly close to the actual actors (with the very notable exception of Michael Corleone) and even the stock characters, while not much in the line of variation, look decent as well. Voice work is excellent and original actors in most cases again with the exception of Michael. Controls are extremely easy to master and the story line draws you in immediately.

You don't have to be a fan of the movie or to have even seen it to follow the game but it certainly helps because you will gain further appreciation for the devotion of the developers. It's obvious that they were huge fans of the film and many of the best remembered scenes show up in the game (the infamous horse head scene, the hospital scene, Sonny getting gunned down at the toll booth, etc.)which really makes the game feel more genuine.

The game is non-linear and you have a huge area to wander around in, taking over businesses and just causing trouble in general. There are specific tasks assigned and hits to carry out but you can really approach the game in any way you choose...be a top negotiator or just gun everyone down within a 2 mile radius. There are film reels scattered about which unlock film clips but they aren't really part of the game, just extras to pick up if you want. The film clips are either actual clips from the movie or from the game itself, some of which contain hints for objectives. You can interact with everyone in the game but only those with the Godfather Puppeteer above their head are the ones with the real value. This makes a big difference in the gameplay as well so you don't waste time searching for the character you need.

I have determined however, that I am one wicked driver. I've plowed down more pedestrians and signposts than I care to admit not to mention the countless cars I've crashed. Hey, I'm the Don so get out of my way.

The only negatives I can think of for the game are as follows:
1) Graphics can be a bit glitchy at times and while the game loads very quickly sometimes it takes the background graphics a while to catch up. Not a huge issue though.
2) Virtually no variation in the rival family compounds. I can live with the bad guys and general public all looking the same but I think they could have at least made some of the compounds look a little different. Some are even identical to the Corleone compound. The stores are all about the same as well. Again, not a huge issue.
3) The font used in the game is so tiny that unless you are literally right on top of the screen you can barely read it. Using a scrolling feature and larger type would have made it more user-friendly. Of course, maybe I'm just going blind or something.
4) A lot of driving around. Drive here, now drive over there. Oops you got gunned down, drive over there again. Maybe if I didn't smash into everything in my path at top speed, it wouldn't be such a pain. Maybe I AM going blind. The Don of NY has apparently turned into Miss Daisy and is in need of a chauffeur.

Well, that about wraps it up. Great game. Definitely a must-have for any fans of the film but non-fans will enjoy it as well. Very violent and even some f-bombs being dropped here and there so certainly not for kids. Rent to try it out because it is a bit pricey but you'll get hooked so you'll end up buying.

Yes Finally the gaming world has made a good game from a movie
This compares to the gameplay of the Grand Theft Auto games
You basically reenact the entire movie going through all of the classic moments
From the horse head in the bed to Micheal coming out of the bathroom and blasting away
You play as your own character in the game not Micheal you build up your rank in the family such as Capo , Underboss, then eventually to the Don of NY
Some missions are timed like in the GTA series but they are not impossible to beat
This game also kind of compares to the freedom fighters game when you are in action shooting at other mobsters
You also can take opposite family businesss in this game shooting your way in the restarunt of barber shop then you need to shake down or beat down the peron running the shop
Also in this game you can bribe police or people gaurding spots you wish to get into you give them some cash they turn there back on the situation

This game is a must for a Godfather fan and if you like ganster games of the GTA games you will love this game this is highly recomended

I was unsure if I should get this game when I asked the guy and he told me its GTA but Iam sure glad I bought it it is well worth $40

Go out and get it what r u waiting for?

First of all, when this game says "Rated M for Mature... 17 and up" they mean it. People getting shot in the face, people talking like sailors, etc.

The fact that Sonny, Fredo, Tom Hagan, and the Don all look like and sound like James Cann, John Cazale, Robert Duval, and Brando just adds to the amazingness of the game. The fact that Micheal does NOT look or sound like Pacino is almost jarring after the appearance of the other actors. I guess Pacino is too cool to be in a video game. It's especailly distracting as it kinda wrecks the possibilities of GF II or III games.

Well, everything else I would say has been said by others.

Oh! I almost forgot! Luca Brasi is in the game and played by Lenny Montana!!!! He is your mentor and teaches you how to play!

I bought this game the first day it came out and haven stopped playing it, only to eat, sleep a little, shower, and to of course write this review. This is a great game and is to me addicting. It is like Grand Theft Auto games too. And the music in the game gets old too.
This game is a great game for anyone who can take some gore and violence.

There is always a risk when turning a movie into a game. Most of the time they just don't come out right. So of course, when The Godfather was announced as being a big videogame, fans of the film and even the novel, became nervous. This is not like adapting Spider-Man into a game. The Godfather is often cited as one of the greatst films ever made, so it's important to give special care to such a license. The creators of this game did know what they were doing when adapting the movie into a game. As an adaptation, it's pretty good. As an overall game, it's bogged down in some areas that--considering how long we had to wait--shouldn't be such a big problem anyway. Nonetheless, The Godfather is still a good game.

The Godfather doesn't put you in the role of any of the film's major cast. Rather your just someone working for the mob. An original character. This, surprisingly adds to the game rather than take away. And as a member of the mob you'll be intimidating store clerks, performing the Don's every need, bribing cops and taking on rival mobs. The game borrows a lot from GTA in terms of gameplay. You can steal cars and gun down (or run over) pedestrians. There's even a number of badges to show just how badly the cops want you. The difference here is you can bribe the cops to look the other way, which isn't so bad.

You'll also have a chance to take part in classic moments from the movie. For example you'll have to plant the pistol for Michael Corleone, re-enact the famous horsehead scene and others among those. These scenes stay pretty close to the movie, and they even keep the same feel.

Another thing that helps The Godfather's Gameplay is the arsenal of weapons you have. You can carry as many weapons at a time as you want, and each one can be upgraded. You'll be able to take on anyone you feel. That shouldn't suggest that The Godfather is an easy game (or that it will become such later on). You'll often find yourself as a one man army, and taking on several mobsters at once is not an easy task. You'll die more than a few times. So don't think that because you're a powerhouse you're invincible. There are times when the game glitches out in the gameplay department. Like when a mobster is facing in the opposite direction yet he's still somehow pumping you full of lead. Little glitches like that get annoying.

The way The Godfather looks and sounds is pretty cool. There are some framerate issues in the graphics, and they're frequent. But that doesn't separate from the fact that The Godfather is a beautiful game. The music comes straight from the film, so it works out nicely as well. It would've been nice to hear some original music (but keeping to the theme) but to complain about the music would be complaining about too much of a good thing.

The Godfather is an overall good adaptation of the film. It stays close to the film, without overstepping too many boundaries. It feels too much like Grand Theft Auto at times, but it isn't much to worry about. For what it's worth, The Godfather is an overall fun game.

The Good
+Beautiful Game
+Stays close to the movie
+Even though it has an original character, he fits right in
+There's plenty to do
+Free roaming Grand Theft Auto feel
+Great use of the license

The Bad
-There are some glitches
-Framerate issues
-It feels like another attempt to off Grand Theft Auto

Movie tie-ins are usually a rather tiresome affair. They sell bundles of units and are more often than not a large pile of mediocrity. The Godfather game is different. Obviously it's been made on the back of the unparalleled success of Francis Ford Coppolla's gangster masterpiece. And it will sell for this reason as well. However, The Godfather game has it's own place in the epic narrative.

It would have been easy for EA to put the player in the shoes of Michael Corleone - the main protagonist in the movies. Indeed, it may have been due to the failure in securing a license to use Al Pacino's voice and likeness that forced EA's hand in creating a fresh perspective on the famous storyline. What we're left with is a new take featuring your good self; a narrative that sees you seamlessly weave in and out of events loyal to the film. For example, when Luca Brasi is stabbed through the hand and garrotted - at the start of the first movie - you look in on the event through a window, you're spotted and the scene turns into a revenge mission. It's expertly executed as you feel a part of a story that is genuine and loyal to film.

The violence has been superbly recreated also. The realistic nature of the firearms in The Godfather makes for interesting gameplay. As you might be used to the rather `cartoonish' gunplay of Saint's Row and GTA, The Godfather might at first seem unforgiving. And it is. But it's realistic - take one bullet from close range and you're sleeping with the fishes... it's as simple as that. Conversely your own guns carry the same clout, so shootouts often become intense and challenging affairs, if a little frustrating. Where as in GTA's gun fighting success is dependent on how quickly you can change targets and get your shots off, The Godfather sees you picking your shots and timing runs between cover. It's obvious that EA's development focussed heavily on the walking and shooting parts of the game, as this is where most of the appeal lies.

Driving however is a different affair altogether. Given the nature of The Godfather EA were limited on what is and isn't possible for the driving sections. The physics of the cars mean they are frustrating to play with. Most of the vehicles are slow and the faster cars seem unnaturally quick. The handbrake turns that work so well in GTA are irritatingly difficult to pull off, especially when being chased by the coppers. Cars bounce off kerbs but smash right through lampposts practically unaffected. Other vehicles, however, are seemingly made of concrete.

Also, getting from one way point to another can be at times be tedious - GTA gets round this by the superbly scripted radio stations, but The Godfather doesn't have such ingenuity - you're instead treated to a violin-based soundtrack that is depressing once the novelty has done a runner. The valid excuse is that most of this isn't EA's fault - this is more or less what it was like to drive a car in 'them days'. There was no radio; the cars were lame, classic, but moved like pair of concrete boots. Where the violence is so real, so must the rest of the game be if only for consistency.

As you would expect much of what you do is directed by the storyline. However there have been provisions for those who are more impulsive. Outside of the missions there are businesses to extort and rackets to take over. Doing as such will build your weekly wage, which you can then in turn spend on clobber and sorting your hair out. You have a respect bar that increases with each completed mission, but coolly this isn't the only way to gain kudos amongst fellow gangsters. Buying a nice wise guy suit brings in the plaudits and boosts the respect meter as much as whacking a guy. Each time your character levels up you get a point to allocate to his attributes. It's a bit of a weak RPG element, but worth thinking about when acquiring garments.

Extorting businesses is tricky, but worth the effort. You'll usually have to take out two or three 'bad guys' before being able to get to the owner. When you do the situation requires thought. Essentially you need to scare the businessman into paying, and you do so by finding his or her 'limit'. So while some owners will agree to 'protection' as soon as you ask, others will have to be battered to the brink of death. Pretty sick, but then the life of a gangster isn't for fairies. Be warned though, going over the top or killing the proprietor will render the business inactive for a while and you'll get nothing but a bruised set of knuckles. It's a fantastic sidetrack to the main game that has to be taken seriously if you want to hire muscle and buy more powerful weapons for later missions.

And so you've got two sections of the same game that sit paradoxically to each other. The superbly well balanced combat game play that forces you to be thoughtful and timely. And the very dodgy vehicle part that frustrates and bores more than anything else. It's difficult to review a sandbox game without making a comparison to GTA, although it's slightly unfair to do so with The Godfather given the rules imposed by the subject matter. At it's very best it delivers a gritty realism, but by the same realistic token, it can be at times terribly dull.

It is difficult to dislike The Godfather as EA have been so faithful to everything we loved about the films - but this is the undoing of the game also. It would have been forgivable to exaggerate the gameplay in places in order to make it more entertaining. But The Godfather is a game for the purists and in order to please it has to feel genuine, The Godfather certainly is.

The Godafther:The Game is probably one of EA's best games ever released. This is also one of EA's only games that are worth something more than a decent rental.

The engine system of The Godfather is the exact same as 007:Everything or Nothing- hold the left trigger to target, the right trigger to fire. The fighting system is the exact same as the Fight Night series- move around the right analog stick to make jabs, such as a quick upward thrust of the right analog stick to make an upper jab. The game is also very similar to Spider-Man 2 and GTA in the mission styles and open-city levels.

There are some things tacked on though, such as the all new extort system. You persuade a shopkeeper and fight with him until he coughs up the money that the Corleone family is demanding. Another new idea for any EA game is some decent driving controls and physics. The game actually makes it fun to drive around, finding different missions and shopkeepers to extort.

The variety of customizations and weapons in this game is amazing. You can tailor your hair many different ways, make your face look however you please, put whatever clothes you want on, and whatever clothing accessory you are looking for. The weapons also include a tommy gun, pistol, shotgun, stub gun, baseball bat, police baton, and dynamite ( also many more ). All of these have differnt firepower or melee techniques. This variety adds to the fun.

The gameplay is also very varied. I have only went through 8 percent of the game, yet I have made multiple extortions, assasinations, time races, have done jobs for people, such as hits, and have been enrolled for a paid hit by a member of the family. There is also a respect aspect, where your goal is to gain more respect by other family members, and a heat system, where more police chase you as you gain more heat by being violent.

There are not too many bad things to say about this game except that it could be a little more polished-graphics, some control techniques, have ammo scattered MUCH more widely ( you will almost never find ammo ), and have less extrotion down time ( more planned missions ).

I personally think that this game is pretty clean. Its M rating is deserved, but not by too much. It is pretty violent ( well, yeah, it's the Godfather ), does have some blood and some very rough language. But there is no gore and ( almost ) no sexual content.

All in all, this is one of the best games I've ever played, even better than Halo 2, I think. After a long streak of really mediocre rents and purchases ( hmm hmm King Kong, Star Wars Battlefront 2 [one of the worst games ever] ), this beautiful game and a job well done. Respect....to the family.

Just purchased this two days ago and was alittle bit skeptical when first playing. I thought the graphics and everything could have been much better, but than after playing more and more I noticed that this game is so awesome. Lots of contracts offered that can allow u to whack the other mobsters for cash, the extortion thing is also kewl. Taking over shops and hotels, ...etc. for your own Corleone family. This game was well worth the buy and wait. The graphics are nice, but for some reason I thought that they would make it as clear as EA's other last game ( 007 from russia with love), which to me had I think the best graphics for ANY game from EA. I think that EA put more time into the game engine ( to play that monopoly style gangster takeover everything deal.....which I'm still impressed with. Great game and a must buy for mobster movie fanz as well as people who wished they could make it big with business and fame, but can't unfortanetely like the majority of us, but it's nice to put this game in and dream u were the next Capone or Dillinger. So what r you waiting for go but this game or get Whacked.

First of all, I must say I'm really impressed with how the events in the game fit perfectly with the movie. Although you don't play with a character from the movie(you create your own mobster), you get to carry out missions like driving Don Vito Corleone to the hospital after he has been shot, helping Michael to kill Sollozo and the dirty cop, follow Sonny's killers and even whack Paulie for being a traitor. I highly recommend watching the first movie of the godfather series so you can truly appreciate the mission mode.

The mission mode I consider to be the best part of the game. It's a shame it's a short part of the game, since when you complete the short mission mode, you've only accomplished 30% of the game, leaving you with alternate objectives that could get repetitive like exorting businesses.

There are also hit contract missions to complete. These are just assasination missions that are also pretty fun, since there are many ways to end a person's life(Execution stlyes) with many different weapons.

As you may have heard, the game's environment is a lot like the Grand Theft Auto series, which let's you do pretty much whatever you wan't to do. There are many places to visit and there are no loading times each time you enter a building. The price to pay for no loading times is that the building interiors cab get very repetitive.

Unlike Grand Theft Auto, there are very limited models of cars in the streets(about 5 only) but that is compensated with a great map of NYC.

One thing I was deeply dissapointed was with the menu interface. It seems like it was done in a rush just to get the game out fast to the market. The menu interface is done in plain black and white and really small fonts. There are options that can be accessed in specific times, like for example visiting the tailor shop. This can only be done inmediately after loading a game(and you can't load a game while you are playing, you have to quit the game, go to the main screen, and then load. This is absurd).

Overall, this is one of the best games I've played for Xbox. It offers a variety of things to do, that require around 20 hours of gameplay to complete 100% of the game. Although I gave the game a score of 5 stars, I would agree with a 4.5 star rating, because certain things could've been better. Anyways, I think the game essentials were more than satisfying. Highly recommended, specially for The Godfather movie fans.