Mafia II Gameplay Part 5: Countering Attacks and Exploring Open-World Games

In part five of our Mafia II gameplay series, we'll be focusing on countering attacks in the prison chapter and exploring how open-world games have evolved over time.

Countering Attacks in the Prison Chapter

When facing off against Brian O'Neill, it's crucial to counter his attacks as soon as possible. If you fail to do so, your response will be ineffective, making it essential to stay on your toes. You'll notice that Brian does more damage than other opponents and is highly skilled in counters. To take him down, you'll need to knock him out first, after which the second prisoner will take his place while the third runs off.

After this intense battle, you'll be brought back to solitary confinement, where you'll receive a letter. You'll then need to clean three urinals - the same one twice - and later take a shower. The next day, you'll be called upon to clean the urinals in the shower once more. Near the end of this fight, you'll also learn how to perform a finishing move, which allows you to grab an opponent and knock them down.

Visitors and Challenges

After the combat, Vito will be summoned to see his sister Francesca, who has arrived as a visitor. Meanwhile, one of the prisoners in the laundry room is eager to take on you in a fight. A week later, you'll be late for work but another prisoner will whisk you away to handle a challenge from Galante.

The combat against Wu's chosen fighter is relatively straightforward and relies on your ability to counter-punch. By holding down the dodge button and then swinging a punch after the opponent attacks, you can land a successful counter-punch. Repeat this process three times to complete the training session with Pepe.

The Evolution of Open-World Games

Games like Prototype and Just Cause 2 revolutionized open-world games by introducing faster-paced exploration and more varied gameplay mechanics. This shift helped players feel less lost in massive worlds, making it easier to stay engaged. Side quests played a significant role in keeping players interested, providing a break from the main storyline.

Titles such as World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and Fallout 3 built upon this foundation by incorporating side quests into their gameplay. Although limitations still existed, these games laid the groundwork for modern open-world experiences.

The Red Dead Revolver series is another great example of how developers have explored the concept of large maps, exploration, and involvement with non-playable characters (NPCs). The original Red Dead Redemption took this concept even further by introducing a vast open world that allowed players to roam freely while enjoying improved graphics and gameplay mechanics.

Mafia 2 gameplay part 5