I'll probably spoil the whole review by saying that the game is good. It has interesting tasks, it is beautiful, you can still feel the spirit of that time at the edge of your nostrils, and the game has a great start. Yes, I don’t even consider the war level to be bad.
And yet, as a continuation of the first part, this is a failure. The game should be evaluated without looking back, because it’s sad to see how a personal, beautiful, book story from the first part turns into a story like GTA, where we are a weak-willed sm... creature that carries out orders for everyone with an “okay” face. Except this isn't GTA. Among all the characters we get to meet, the only ones that will be particularly memorable are the cheerful drunk Joe, who really went out with a bang, and the arms salesman, who appeared only once.
I understand why some people adore the game. Such a bright beginning leaves such an impression that many do not notice how at one moment the game slows down greatly. An attentive person will literally notice the tape and glue between different pieces of the game in the second half. There is less and less motivation, side quests are cut out, cute staged scenes disappear, and the ending sneaks up so imperceptibly that it feels like the developers were told at the last moment “that’s it, it’s your last day, do the ending!”
The game is good. Almost all the shortcomings, except for the lack of will of the main character, can be attributed to pressing deadlines and cut content. If you haven't played part 1, I recommend it. For you, the game may be 4 out of 5. I, who am familiar with the first part and noticed all the missing pieces in the hastily put together second half of the game, give it 3 out of 5. Only because of the great love in the Mafia, not only as a series of games, but also as to the topic in general.