Electronic Arts today unveiled the first details of The Godfather II videogame, which is a sequel by definition alone. In fact, with its incorporation of real-time strategy (RTS) elements, much of The Godfather II will feel like an entirely new game.
Inspired by the film, The Godfather II game goes beyond the silver-screen story by setting players in the world of organized crime in 1960s Florida, Cuba and New York. After being promoted to Don of New York, players will use the familiar BlackHand gameplay to expand their influence to new cities, build up their families by extorting businesses, monopolizing illegal crime rings and defeating new families.
However, this is where things get interesting. To help players manage their empire, The Godfather II introduces “The Don’s View,” a strategic meta-game that allows players to oversee the entire world as they grow the family business. Using the Don’s View, players will be able to build, defend and expand their crime rings while keeping an eye on the movements and plans of rival families.
Furthering the RTS feel, players will also hire crew, hand out orders and promote their best men. Sounds like “human resource management” to us….
It’s not all RTS gameplay, though. The Godfather II will expand on the gameplay mechanics from the first game (read our review) and expand the BlackHand control scheme, which now features more-visceral melee brutality, a new combo system, pressure tactics and even executions. Players will also fight alongside their hand-picked crew, who have their own skills and expertise (demolitions, arson, engineering, first-aid, etc.).
As The Don, however, players will take part in the action but also need to maintain control of the family, sending some men on missions that the player will never encounter personally.
The Godfather II is expected to ship for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC in February 2009.