Mafia III
It’s 1968 and the rules have changed. After years in Vietnam, Lincoln Clay knows this truth: Family isn’t who you’re born with, it’s who you die for.
What it feels like
The tone is harsh and unflinching about violence, betrayal, and the brutality of the mob underworld.
What it's about
Lincoln's entire narrative arc is built explicitly around avenging his betrayed surrogate family against those responsible, making revenge the definitional core. Organized crime, mob families, and the criminal underworld are the primary setting and context for all narrative and gameplay. Set in 1968, the game grounds itself in a recognizable near-historical period with authentic period music and culture.
How it plays
Shooting and firearms combat are central to moment-to-moment gameplay in an action-focused open-world experience. Stealth-based infiltration and silent takedowns are viable core approaches to mission objectives alongside direct combat. Building and managing relationships with underbosses, assigning territories, and maintaining faction loyalty drive progression.
How it looks and sounds
The camera follows Lincoln from behind/shoulder perspective throughout gameplay and exploration. Period-appropriate licensed 1960s music is a significant feature curating the atmosphere and tone.
How it's structured
Set in 1968 New Bordeaux (inspired by New Orleans), the game features a large continuous explorable crime-city that is central to mission structure and player agency. A bounded, authored story arc of Lincoln's ascent and revenge has a definite narrative beginning and end. While open-world, the story follows a linear spine of revenge targets, punctuated by explorable city and optional side missions.
Kindred games
Shares Open World, Crime & Underworld, Third-Person, Gunplay.
Both lean into Open World, Crime & Underworld, Third-Person, Campaign.
Shares Open World, Gunplay, Third-Person, Crime & Underworld.
Both lean into Open World, Gunplay, Third-Person, Crime & Underworld.
Shares Open World, Crime & Underworld, Third-Person, Gunplay.
Both lean into Open World, Crime & Underworld, Third-Person, Gunplay.
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