Matter Of Perspective: Mafia II

Depictions of the Mafia have been present in films and games for decades, with the likes of The Godfather being cited as one of the best mafia-related films ever made. Game wise there have been various depictions from appearances in the GTA series to the prequel of the subject of this article, Mafia.

Mafia II asks and answers the question of what drives a person to crime, with that journey being taken by protagonist Vito. He is a person from a poor family living in the Little Italy area of Empire Bay, who gets involved with crime in an effort to support his family. This leads to him being arrested and sent to fight for the army in Italy during World War II, where he sees firsthand the power of a Mafia don.

Returning to Empire Bay, Vito discovers his family are in trouble with a loan shark so he tries to find some work that will pay quickly. His lifelong friend Joe helps in this endeavour, which leads to Vito being introduced to members of the Mafia and doing jobs that eventually net him the $2000 he needs to free his family, though he is made to sacrifice his own freedom when the police charge him for one of the crimes.

Up until this point it is perhaps understandable as to why Vito does these things. He sees himself as the man of the house with his responsibility being to provide for his family. Although his methods are criminal and disagreeable the reasoning is something everyone can relate to, and that is to keep loved ones safe, secure and happy. He was a desperate man in a desperate situation.

It’s the stint in prison where that motivation changes from looking after his family to becoming a man with wealth and power, after being taken under the wing of a high up Mafia member by the name of Leo Galante. This leads Vito to become involved with Mafia businesses and score settling over the years he is inside, and on release sets him up to be a part of a Mafia family.

It’s here where the story gets complicated as different families wage war against each other, leading to Vito switching allegiances a few times and making enemies in various camps. This isn’t always Vito’s fault because a friend one day can be a member of the enemy family the next so keeping track of loyalties is hard enough in this world.

However there is always one person that stands by Vito, who does everything in his power to make sure his friend is okay, and that is Joe. Joe has been Vito’s friend since childhood and has been his partner in crime, being the one to help build his reputation so the Mafia took notice of them both. Joe isn’t an innocent angel, doing what it takes so he can succeed, from robbing to killing, but his notion of loyalty is respectable. He does anything he can for his friend as he becomes overshadowed.

Though Joe has worked for Mafia members while Vito was in the army and in prison, he still maintains a low rank at the same level as Vito. Yet when Vito starts to become successful Joe doesn’t lash out or become jealous like is seen in so many other stories, but learns and follows in Vito’s footsteps to rise through the ranks.

Eventually both are ‘made’ and become official big shots of the Mafia, but find themselves part of different families that go to war. Though they are split for a lot of the time during this situation Joe remains loyal to his friend, turning his back on his own gang to help Vito. Joe literally risks his life for Vito and pulls the trigger against his fellow family members to save him.

However due to Vito’s actions throughout the story this leads to an ending for Joe that was not his fault. Vito has people who want him dead and strikes a deal to kill a Mafia don in exchange for his life. He commits the deed, Joe helps him escape and then is escorted to a car. Joe thinks he is safe but instead he disappears around a corner never to be seen again, all because of Vito and his misguided quest for easy money.

Vito himself is left a broken man at least in mind. He has all the money he wanted, the power and the reputation but he doesn’t have his mother, who died, his sister who disowned him, or his lifelong friend who paid for Vito’s mistakes. Vito is hurt but he will move on and continue rising through the ranks because, despite those losses, he still needs that power and affirmation that he is a crucial part of the world.