Godfather-The Video Game for X-Box

Now I don't' usually review Video Games. I actually don't even really play them that often. My buddy Mysterio is the hardcore Video Gamer, he keeps me up to date with the latest going's on in the gamer world. But I do own an X-Box. So I do pick up the top of the line sports video games, and occasional event game to play for a couple of days till it becomes too difficult for a novice like me.

But when I heard that there was a Godfather Video game coming out.....forgive me for saying this....It was an offer that I couldn't refuse.

First off, the game features the voice talents of Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Abe Vigoda. The game advertises that Marlon Brando also lends his voice to the game. But I've heard, which may not be true, that much of the material he recorded before his death was unusable, and they had to hire another actor. But when I listen to the game, damn if it doesn't sound just like Brando. Of course lots of his vocal work in the game are direct quotes from the movie. Maybe they just directly ripped the vocals from the movie.

Which brings me to one of the coolest features of the game. Believe it or not one gets to actually interact in many of the film's classic scenes. Adding even more to the cool factor is that one can design the character they play in the game to look like one's self. So when a player is standing next to mob boss Peter Clemenza, it looks like one is sharing a scene with the actor. Also when a classic scene happens, like the murder of Luca Brasi, the character that one plays in the game is right in the middle of the action, watching from a window outside the bar. At one point in the game the player gets to ride with Fredo as they guard the Ambulance after Don Corelone has been shot, and at another point help guard the Don with Michael at the Hospital, or be the guy that whacks Paulie the driver, with Clemenza telling the player to leave the gun....and take the Cannoli.

Super Cool.

Not to mention hearing the voices of Robert Duvall, Brando and James Caan playing the parts again. I don't know what other people might think, but I'm blown away by the idea that these A-List Actors are lending their voices to a VIDEO GAME. Man, games have come a long way when Academy Award winning actors are doing voices in a game.

The actual design and play in the game is very similar to the lucrative Grand Theft Auto video games. The player is given missions, they accomplish the missions by hijacking cars and driving through the city. But the game also has a fun feature where we extort small business owners, by beating them up, causing havoc in their place of business or threatening them with violence. It's a fun little feature that appeals to people's dark video game side. If that's not enough, there's plenty of weapons, bribes and violent acts the player is capable of and they are doing it in a huge 1940's period New York city that is run by the 5 mafia families.

Like I said earlier, I'm not an expert in video games. I'm sure some people might find problems with the game. But as far as fun, this game gets my highest praise. Not only do we get to relive classic scenes from the film, which also happens to be my all-time favorite movie. But the game play and missions are a blast, not to mention the impressive production and period design of the game.

EA has done an excellent job with the game. Obviously they are the kings of the Video Sports game. It's nice to see that they put the same amount of passion and work into their other games. Thankfully they've paid respect to the classic film by creating an excellent game. Although I've heard that Coppola himself was disappointed with the violent nature of the game.

Ultimately though, it doesn't diminish the legacy of the original film. So there's no harm having the game out there for people to play. In fact the game is super fun, and actually has me wanting to sit down, and watch the movies all over again.

It's so fun, that I find myself day dreaming about playing the game at work, or when I'm in line at the grocery store, pumping gas, or even when I'm online writing reviews.

So forgive me for cutting this review short. I hear Don Corleone calling me, apparently the day has come, and there's a favor he wants to ask of me.