The Godfather II

About The Godfather II

The Godfather II is a crime-themed open-world shooter released in 2009 by EA Redwood Shores. Set in 1958, it follows Michael Corleone’s expansion of the Corleone family empire across New York and into new cities. You manage crime rings, hire crew, and oversee operations via the "Don's View" strategy interface. The game blends strategic empire-building with on-foot and vehicle combat, using the BlackHand melee system for brutal close-quarters fights. It runs on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Think of it as a mobster simulator where you balance micromanagement with chaotic shootouts and car chases. The story centers on political turmoil in Cuba and Michael’s efforts to secure power after Aldo Trapani’s death.

Gameplay

You switch between strategic planning and action. In Don's View, you track rival movements, build crime syndicates, and assign missions to crew members with specialized skills like demolition or first aid. Combat uses the BlackHand system, letting you perform combo strikes, chokeholds, and executions. You control Michael or his lieutenants, mixing shooting, driving, and melee combat in open-world missions. The multiplayer mode lets you transfer in-game progress to 16-player battles over territories. Missions range from extortion to assassination, often requiring stealth or brute force. The game’s open world is divided into zones you can expand control over, balancing resource management with direct action. Controls are tactile but can feel sluggish in later play sessions.

What Players Think

The game holds a 67.4/100 average on IGDB with 94 ratings, skewed by older reviews. Community moods lean mixed: some praise the strategic depth of Don's View and the BlackHand combat, while others criticize repetitive missions and dated visuals. Average playtime clocks in at 25, 30 hours for 100% completion. Achievements include completing all side missions and dominating multiplayer. Critics in 2009 noted it improved on the first game’s formula but fell short of open-world classics. User reviews highlight the "addictive empire-building" but also gripe about "slow pacing in later chapters." The multiplayer mode remains a niche highlight for competitive players.

PlayPile's Take

The Godfather II works best for fans of strategy-shooter hybrids. It’s not a standout by modern standards but offers a unique blend of management and combat. At its current price (often under $10), it’s worth trying for the novelty of Don’s View and BlackHand mechanics. The story is serviceable but forgettable. Avoid if you crave deep character arcs or fast-paced action. Completionists will appreciate the 30+ hour grind, but the game feels dated in 2024. Stick to it if you enjoy managing systems more than getting lost in open worlds.

Storyline

In 1958, three years after the events of the first game, elderly mobster Hyman Roth calls a meeting with the Corleone, Granados, Mangano, and Almeida families in Havana to discuss their future Cuban business prospects under the cooperative government of Fulgencio Batista. Roth announces his intentions to have his businesses divided between the four families once he retires. However, the guests become caught in the ongoing Cuban Revolution, and Corleone underboss Aldo Trapani is killed during the chaos. Don Michael Corleone, his brother Fredo, and Trapani's second-in-command, Dominic , manage to escape aboard a private plane, and Michael appoints Dominic as his new underboss, placing him in charge of the family's businesses in New York City.