There's something about the gangster genre that seems to really lend itself to the open-world videogame.  The Grand Theft Auto series has cemented the style in the modern world, but it was Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven that introduced the classic early 20th Century style to the genre.  This was not an entirely successful game, riddled with bugs and odd design decisions; but, years on, its atmosphere remains barely paralleled.

Mafia 2 takes place a decade or so after the original title, and the city is heavy in its late-40s stylisation.  Early footage and screenshots look extremely promising, though the story seems oddly familiar, with players stepping into the role of Vito Scaletta, the son of Sicilian immigrants, as he returns from the war to find himself increasingly drawn into a life of organised crime.  Mario Puzo must be spinning in his grave - or at least demanding royalties from the other side.

Mafia 2 promises one of those 'living, breathing cities', and, if its feature list to be believed, it could go further to realising this goal than anything before.  NPCs go about their daily lives despite you, with people waiting for buses, sitting about reading newspapers, or - if they're in a particularly bad place in life - searching through dustbins.  2K are particularly hyping the level of possible interaction with the world, with books you can read, radios you can listen to, taps you can turn on and so forth.

With Rockstar's current monopoly over the sandbox gangster genre, 2K Czech have a lot to live up to; but with 2K Games' complete control over this sequel, and the reputation they have for their quality games, the Grand Theft Auto series could see itself pipped at its own game.  We'll find out, 2K tell us, later this year.