The Godfather: The Game is a 2006 video game based on the 1972 film of the same name. The game is not the first Godfather game to be released. Another Godfather game was released in 1991, when U.S. Gold produced five stage DOS-based game on 6 floppy disks. ^[1]

The game is notable in that it features the return of several original actors from the original film to lend their voice. The participating actors are James Caan as Sonny Corleone, Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen, John Martino as Paulie Gatto, and Abe Vigoda as Salvatore Tessio, with the most notable absences being Marlon Brando because of his ill health and his later death, the audio producers found that the quality of the recordings were not good enough and hired an imitator (although at one point in the game, players can hear the one piece of audio that Brando recorded), John Cazale due to his death in 1978, and Al Pacino, who instead worked on Scarface: The World is Yours. In addition, Mark Winegardner, author of the novel The Godfather Returns, provided story editing and insight into the fictional world of the Godfather.

Electronic Arts announced in 2005 that players would create mobsters of their own, customizing their character's physical features, build and clothing in a very in-depth program known as "MobFace". Also, the game would not be the traditional mission-style type but a sandbox game, in a huge free-roam 1940s style New York City, and have non-linear gameplay (similar to games in the Grand Theft Auto franchise). Electronic Arts has also created the "Black Hand" control system as a means of pressuring and extorting business owners. Using the analog sticks on the game controller, players have a wide range of available methods to achieve their goals. These methods include punching, kicking, headbutting, strangling, etc. EA has released a separate version for the Nintendo Wii titled The Godfather: Blackhand Edition, which includes an enhanced "Black Hand" control system that makes use of the Wii's motion control capabilities. There is also a PlayStation 3 version (titled The Godfather: The Don's Edition) that includes the "Corleone Expansion Pack" (adding new gameplay and missions) and added Shipyard and Rail yard transportation hubs for the player to "explore and exploit".^[2] The company has revealed plans for follow-up games.^[3]

Plot and overview

1936 the game starts with a cutscene that shows a death scene on the father of the main character (who, for the sake of reference, is called "Aldo" here, according to the default set name) and blowing up of his bakery by the Barzinis, the Corleones' rivals in New York City. In the aftermath, Don Vito Corleone comforts the child, telling him that when he is old enough and the time is right he will have vengence. The story then fastforwards with the 1945 wedding scene in the opening of the film, wherein Aldo's mother asks Don Corleone to look after her son, who has been hanging with the wrong crowd. Luca Brasi is sent to recruit Aldo and teach him the ways of the Mafia. From this point forward, Aldo is taken under the Corleone Family's wing and works his way up in the organization.

Essentially, there are two stories in the game that intertwine, the first involving the major events of the film (with the character making central contributions) and a personal story arc. In the former, Aldo witnesses Luca Brasi's murder, plants the gun for Michael Corleone to kill Sollozzo and the police captain McCluskey, helps Rocco put the horse head in Woltz's bed, guards Don Vito Corleone at the hospital, witnesses the death of Sonny, kills significant Corleone rivals during the baptism, and appears at the meeting of the five families. In the latter storyline, Aldo befriends and later kills Corleone associate "Monk" Malone, because he turns out to be a traitor, romances his sister Frances "Frankie" Malone and takes revenge for her death, and kills Don Barzini in revenge for killing his father, as well as assisting in the murder of the heads of the other three Families.

After the story missions have been completed, the character becomes an underboss. After he takes out the rival families' compounds he becomes the Don of the family. Alongside the story missions, the player continues to participate in the business of taking over control of New York from the rival families. This includes extorting businesses and buying out rackets, seizing control of warehouses, performing contract hits, and fighting mob wars when the vendetta level between the Corleones and a rival family gets high enough. Completion of a series of prerequisites to reach 100% enables Aldo to become Don of New York in 1955.

Gameplay

Gameplay consists of undertaking and completing eighteen story missions while in the meantime performing various tasks such as taking over rival family holdings and carrying out contract hits. The missions are linear and follow the storyline of the first film, starting out with the player's recruitment by Luca Brasi after Connie Corleone's wedding and ending with the baptism of Michael Corleone's godchild during which the player plays an instrumental role in carrying out the killings of the rival family members. Similarly, the player also must contend with attacks from rival family members that increase in aggressiveness with the player's vendetta level, which is raised as the player attacks rival gang members and their businesses.

Players can increase their character's experience points, represented in the game by a "Respect" level. This level is increased as the player finishes missions or side quests or after interacting with certain non playable character. Increasing respect levels allow the player to increase attributes such as health and speed, while skills include fighting, shooting and street smarts.

A central part of the game is gaining control of local businesses, illegal rackets, warehouses, compounds, and transportation hubs. Each family has a controlling interest in the game's locales of Little Italy, Brooklyn, Midtown, Hell's Kitchen, and New Jersey. The player accomplishes this by threatening business/racket owners. Racket owners can also be bought out. Each business controlled generates income for the Corleone family and the player's character. Pay outs vary depending on the effectiveness of the player's tactics and is made easier with higher "Street Smart" levels. Later releases of the game allow players to take over businesses by doing favors for business owners.

The player's ultimate goal is making his way through the ranks and progressing up the ladder through various titles within the family from Outsider all the way to "Don of New York."

Families

In the game there are five mafia families that have been adapted from the The Godfather. Each family is distinguished by its members wearing specific color coats as well as a shield bearing the family's first initial in its color with the exception of the Corleones, whose shield bears a rampant lion.

Nicknamed The Five Families, these consist of:

• The Barzini Family - The Barzini family hails from Midtown, the richest community in New York City, making them the richest and most powerful family in New York City. Their family color is green. The Barzinis are headed by the main antagonist, Don Emilio Barzini, who rules with an iron fist, who ordered the murder of the main character's father, and is rumored to be in control of another New York Family. The Barzinis' consigliere is Domenica Mazza, and their underboss is Emillio Barzini Jr. Their three caporegimes are Pietro Testa, Giovanni Armanno and Big Bobby Toro.

• The Corleone Family - The once-powerful crime Family is based in central Manhattan, in Little Italy, and are troubled by increasingly daring raids by the Tattaglias based in Brooklyn. Little Italy has streets of moderately poor local shops run by well-established Families. Their family color is black. In the game the player meets many members of the Corleone Family, including Vito Corleone, Sonny Corleone, Tom Hagen, Michael Corleone, Fredo Corleone, Salvatore Tessio, Pete Clemenza, Paulie Gatto, Rocco Lampone, Al Neri, Willie Cicci, Jaggy Jovino, Jimmy DeNunzio, Luca Brasi, and Marty "Monk" Malone.

• The Cuneo Family - The Cuneo family hails from Hell's Kitchen. The Cuneo family is not very rich, owning few rackets and businesses. Their family color is red. Don Carmine Cuneo heads the Cuneo Family. They are ruthless killers, always appearing in large groups largely due to the environment of Hell's Kitchen, which is run down and filled with poor communities. According to certain Corleone associates, Cuneos' are trustworthy unless you mess with their business. The Cuneos' consigliere is Luciano Fabbri, and their Underboss is Marco Cuneo. Their three caporegimes are Ronnie Tosca, Michael Costa, and Mario DeBellis.

• The Stracci Family - The Stracci family is based in New Jersey. Don Victor Stracci heads the Stracci Family. During daytime the neighborhood looks quite peaceful, with fancy houses and well-groomed parks, but at night, it becomes much more dangerous. The Straccis are the most cruel and vicious family. Their family color is blue. The Straccis' consigliere is Jack Fontana, and their Underboss is Salvatore Stracci. Stracci caporegimes include Oscar Zavarelle and Leon Grossi.

• The Tattaglia Family - The Tattaglia family dominates Brooklyn, owning almost every business and racket on the Brooklyn waterfront. The Tattaglia family has a serious rivalry with the Corleone family because of their business expansion into Little Italy, the Corleone's turf. Their family color is tan. Don Philip Tattaglia heads the Tattaglia Family, and his son Bruno is next in line to become Don of the Tattaglia Family. Bruno has an alliance with Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo. The Tattaglias' consigliere is Freddie Nobile, and their Underbosses are Bruno and Johnny Tattaglia. The Tattaglias' caporegimes are Tony Bianchi, Luigi Fusco and Donnie Marinelli. Under Bianchi are Soldiers Mikey Saleri and Squeegie McNeese. Under Marinelli are Soldiers Luigi Bonetti and Rocky Della Barca.

Supporting characters

• Peter Clemenza: A caporegime in the Corleone Family. Clemenza gives the player many of his missions and will accompany the player in many missions. The player enters his crew once he reaches the rank of Associate. Introduced in mission The Don Is Dead.
• Sgt. Joe Galtosino: A corrupt police sergeant based in Little Italy, known to abuse power. The player murders him when he assaults Rosa by throwing him off of a rooftop. Both the character's personality and the player's motives for his death are somewhat remeniscient of Don Fanucci from The Godfather Part II. Introduced in mission The Enforcer and killed in mission Fireworks.
• Rosa Morelli: Corleone Associate and owner of a flower shop in Little Italy. She was later taken hostage by Jaggy Jovino, but she was saved by the player. Introduced in mission Fireworks.
• McCluskey: Corrupt, bigoted police captain believed to be in line with Sollozzo. The player hides the gun that Michael kills him and Sollozzo with. Introduced in mission Intensive Care and killed in mission Plot For Vengance.
• Frances "Frankie" Malone : Marty "Monk" Malone's sister, main character's love interest. It turns out that she is older than her brother. They eventually become lovers until she is murdered by Bruno Tattaglia in 1950. Introduced in mission The Don Is Dead and killed in mission Now It's Personal.
• Amerigo Bonasera: Funeral home operator, daughter is beaten up by punks. He has his vengeance when the player, Paulie Gatto and Monk Malone beat the punks to a pulp. Introduced in A Grave Situation.
• Emilio Brunetti: Butcher shop owner under the Tattaglias. He is the first person to be extorted by the player. Introduced in The Enforcer.
• The Trojan: Mysterious Corleone special operations go-to guy. He has many missions for the player to carry out. He apparently has a grudge against the Straccis. Introduced in The Horse's Head.
• Marty "Monk" Malone: A wise guy working for Clemenza who becomes good friends with the player. He becomes an FBI informant after his sister Frances is killed and when he is not allowed to rise in the family due to his Irish heritage. In one of the missions, when Monk killed an FBI fed, it turns out that he became an informant against the Corleones. In the end he dies trying to kill the player. Introduced in A Grave Situation and killed in Contract Killing.
• Giacomo "Johnny" Trapani : The player's father who was evidently a high ranking mafioso in the twenties and thirties. He is shot to death at Don Barzini's orders while trying to make sure his son, the young player, is all right. Johnny's death is the catalyst for the player's involvement with the Corleone Family.He is also played as for a small amount of time.Introduced, and killed, in The Introduction
• Aldo Trapani The playable character. This is his default name, but can be changed to anything the player desires. Introduced in The Introduction.
• Jaggy Jovino A Soldier of the Corleone Family who gives the player advice in the game. But in 1955, he betrays the Corleone Family and starts to work for the Barzinis. He is killed by the player in Rosa's flower shop.
• Mikey Saleri: A Soldier to the Tattaglia Family. He is killed by the player for trying to kill Emilio Brunetti.

Other versions

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 version was released on September 19, 2006, which improved on the earlier versions with several new features. Among these were three additional story missions that were in the movie but not included in the initial release of the game, several new "favor" missions, and the addition of a crew option. The latter allows the player to hire additional assistance from the family throughout the game. Higher rankings allow access to higher ranked and more heavily armed recruits. Crewmembers can also shoot out of vehicles. In a similar manner, the police can now be bribed to fight alongside the player in certain situations. Graphics were improved, including weather physics for added realism, and characters' faces reflecting the effects of physical attacks. There are also several new vehicles and level 4 weapons. The enemy A.I has been improved, with rival family members going into a "search and kill" mode if they cannot target the player. Hijacking contraband trucks now requires the player to drive the trucks to specific points to receive an increased payout from $2,000 to $7,000. Additional hit contracts and execution styles are also now available.

In December 2007, Electronic Arts released new downloadable content called the "Corleone Challenges" which are a variety of timed missions and added 20 new achievements. Some of the content is available for free with an autoupdate while the rest must be purchased with Microsoft points.

PSP

A Sony PlayStation Portable version was released, titled The Godfather: Mob Wars. Unlike the console versions, Mob Wars does not feature free-roaming environments. Instead, the game is restricted to a series of story missions involving Aldo Trapani. However, Mob Wars includes a new turn-based strategy mode with the aim of controlling all of New York City by neutralizing the rival families, completed by issuing orders and executing them as real-time missions. The portable version of the game also lacks the entire section of driving, even in the story missions, where the driving segments are replaced with cutscenes. When you complete the game you can not replay missions or mob wars. If you wish to continue playing, you will have to start over.

Wii

The Wii version, entitled The Godfather: Blackhand Edition, is the highest rated version of The Godfather on Gamerankings and IGN.^[4]. It features 20 normal missions, ten new hit missions, a new rival family seen only in the new hit missions, rooftop battles, new favors, and other methods such as blackmail and bribery. It was developed alongside the PS3 edition and released March 20, 2007. Improved upon the Xbox 360 edition, it includes brand new controls designed for the Wii Remote. Aiming is now handled by the pointer function of the Wii Remote, and allow more locational damages, though the lock-on option is still in the game. Melee combat is handled using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, such as swinging a baseball bat, or throwing a molotov cocktail. Once the player has taken hold of an NPC, the player may use a wide variety of hand to hand combat techniques. In total, there are 25 unique motion-based execution moves available in the game.

The Wii version also reworked the crew system; unlike the 360 edition, the crew will accompany the player even after loading a saved game where a crew had been hired previously. Furthermore, players also have the ability to call in a four-man hit squad to assist the player in missions; the gauge that is needed to be recharged can be automatically refilled if they did not sustain too much damage before the last save point, allowing player to instantly call upon them. This provides player with an ability to call upon a total of five crew members at any time.

The Blackhand Edition adds a second path that the player may take through the game, that of the operator. The main method of progression is by blackmailing police, the FBI or members of other families, and what the player does or says affects the outcome. While the enforcer's goal is to destroy the other families through brute force, the operator's is to blackmail the police chiefs of the five boroughs by finding enough "dirt" on them during missions. The player then blackmails the chiefs, enabling the bribe gauge to fill to the top for free every time the player talks to the chief, effectively allowing the player to take control of the police in that area. The police fight alongside the player's family members and can also arrest or kill rival family members. The path of the operator also grants the player additional tactical abilities that are not open to the enforcer, such as enhanced and regenerating health, the ability to call in the four-man hit squad twice as often, enhanced crew damages and health, ability to plant car bombs and make instant stealth kills, and reduced price on bribing on the police and FBI.

PS3

The Sony PS3 version, titled The Godfather: The Don's Edition, is very similar to the Wii version (such as 4-man hit squad, operator's path, and battle on rooftops) and improves upon the Xbox 360 edition, save for having some minor graphic enhancements, a larger city with additional locale, lack of the Wii's interactive controlling, and instead, utilization of the SIXAXIS motion sensor controls. While the moves available are less than those available on Wii version, players can use SIXAXIS to shove people around and perform special execution moves. However, unlike Wii, these moves are generally finishing moves and thus not always available.

Additionally, the PS3 edition has two special locales, a freighter and a train yard, that serve as transportation hub, providing a few special scenarios, as well as five new hit missions.

Mobile

This Mobile version centers around a collection of mini games that guide you through the storyline of the first movie. From arranging Luca Brazi's speech, to beating down Carlo, this game lets you relive your favorite parts. The mobile version was dubbed "The Godfather Game".

Reception

Reviews of the game are generally of a favourable nature. However, the director of the film trilogy, Francis Ford Coppola, did not approve of the game's release.^[5] Coppola denounced the game, saying that he felt that the makers were profiteering from his original work. The average results on GameRankings are:

• Blackhand Edition (Wii) - 77%^[6]
• PS2 & Xbox - 77%^[7]

• Xbox 360 - 77.4%^[8]

• The Don's Edition (PS3) - 72%^[9]

• Mob Wars (PSP) - 62%^[10]

On Gamespot, the game is ranked separately in each of four categories. The PS2, Xbox, and PC versions are rated 8.1. It has been criticized for the recycling of graphics of shops and buildings, making it difficult to pinpoint the player's location within the game. Mob Wars received a 6 for poor gameplay. On the Xbox 360 it received 7.9 for its minor improvements. The PS3 and Wii versions are rated 7.6, similar to the Xbox 360 version. IGN gave every iteration of the Godfather a 7.9 with two exceptions. The Sony PSP was given a 6.2 and the Nintendo Wii edition was given an 8.

Sequel

It has been recently mentioned that video game developer Electronic Arts is working on another Godfather video game, based upon the second movie.

Details of EA's Godfather II have emerged in the latest issue of Xbox World 360 magazine. Described as "Scarface meets Total War", the second game is said to be less of a GTA-clone and more of a sandbox game with RPG, RTS and board game elements.

The game takes place across three cities (Miami, Cuba and New York) set circa-1960.

Six 'classes' have been confirmed for the game; bruiser, demolitions expert, arsonist, medic, safe cracker and engineer. Each character is said to have their own background and one of twelve different 'personalities'.

Godfather II is planned for release in February 2009.

References

External links

• Official Site

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