Imagine a really nice cut of beef; the type that makes a steak of legend. We’re talking the type that sells for about three arms and a leg. When it comes to intellectual properties, that’s The Godfather. It’s ripe for adaptation with thrilling moments, deep characters, and a thought-provoking plot. Unfortunately, EA decided to grind this beef into a hamburger. Godfather II is generic and artistically void, but it’s downright enjoyable. It’s not anything close to its potential, but it still succeeds in its own right. This is the most mouthwateringly awesome hamburger you will ever taste. 

Players take the role of Dominic as they rise in the ranks from a one man family to one worthy of a Corleone. Along the way, Dominic will be involved with events from the cinematic classic. These moments feel forced, but they are a far cry from the inevitable mess when the game decides to write its own plot. Even still, the story is a disaster. The events that transpire outside the movie are uninspired and laughable. 

The real Michael Corleone’s (Al Pachino) absence affects the game negatively. For anyone who holds the movie on a pedestal (most of the target audience for the game), it doesn’t feel like The Godfather. Some of the rest of the cast’s involvement is a great addition (like Robert Duval), but I wish Pachino would have allowed for his likeness to be used.