Wow what a game. The genius of this game is how it allows you to play.
When you begin the game you are an "outsider" a small time crook so to speak, and you can climb your way up to "Don of New York" (i thought that was Michael but who cares!)
BUT! The game allows you to do whatever you want almost literally.
See, the game starts with a couple of training missions and then let's you roam free.
After extorting the first business following the orders of enforcer Luca Brasi you can then go ahead and proceed to take the whole city! This will take you days no matter how fast you try to go.
Doing so will grant you several experience points, the first 15/20 you achieve quite soon in the game.
By the time you take the whole city you have robbed banks and you got payed your percentages of the weekly count, you can then upgrade your weapons, to the extent of some pretty much over the top powerful hand cannons like the street sweeper!
When you return to little Italy to continue the story you'd be pretty much unstoppable.
Feels like cheating? It isn't ! It's part of the game and the choice is completely yours.
Or mix it , take over some business from the weakest families and then play a bit of the story... I wouldn't recommend going to much ahead with the story without having at least 6 "health" points... those Cuneo and Barzini are pretty deadly!
But again, you can, and if you are careful enough you can make it. That's the beauty of this game . I've must have played it 10 times by now, i play it in a very challenging but entertaining way. I play it trying never to get "iced" never arrested and never starting a Mob War. Oh and without ever bribing a police officer! It's trick it, but if you are clever and patient you can do it! Once again that's the great thing about this game. I could write for hours so i'm gonna stop here.
A great game that after all this time is still immensely engaging.
Review of The Godfather
