Mafia III releases on 7th October globally, but don't expect to find a review on Push Square – or any site worth your time for that matter. 2K Games informed us recently that code would go out on launch day, and Polygon has since confirmed that to be the case for other outlets around the world. In other words: you probably won't find any meaningful coverage of the sandbox crime sim prior to release.
While it's sometimes worrying when publishers withhold review code, it's perhaps worth mentioning that it's not always bad news. Bethesda opted to do this with DOOM, for example, and that's arguably one of the best games released this year. We also didn't get access to Destiny: Rise of Iron until launch day, and that's proved to be another sturdy expansion.
We'll be sure to bring you some impressions as soon as we've spent some time with the title, which we'll follow up with a full review as soon as possible. If you're on the fence regarding the title, then we'd recommend just waiting – the game will still be readily available after our review runs, so unless you absolutely have to own it day one, then just sit tight and wait for our verdict.
[source polygon.com]
Comments 33
Good, people should trust their gut and not rely on what others say.
Dissapointing as I'm still undecided, the lack of playable demo EGX also seemed strange
My most anticpated game of 2016? Yes. Day one purchase? No. I will be fine with waiting a week or month for reviews, patches, and results of patches.
My big issues are technical. News of new games having poor frame rates can be found the day of release. Other technical issues are reported within a week or less after release.
I.E We have a MAJOR patch Day 1 and we don't want outlets to grade an unfinished product.
So when is PushSquare going to offer betting on game release dates and such? Seems like you could make a killing
Interested in this, but going to wait for reviews. Not for scores, for gameplay details. Want to be sure there's enough content and it's not just a pretty face.
Still a day one buy for me. Even if it's not great, it's still my type of game and I'm sure I'll enjoy it regardless of critical opinion
It's to avoid spoilers i should think. Mafia 3 = HYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEE!!!
I'm really looking forward to this, but to me it is always a little bit worrying when they don't allow review scores prior to release. I don't have to buy the game day 1 obviously, and I won't, but it is still a small worry!
I pre ordered P.E.S 2017 only because it cost 37 quid and I knew it was a game I would enjoy .
I am not a pre order kinder person with Mafia 3 I will wait to see a review 1st nothing changes here.
Least anticipated game of the year for me
Funny how so many high profile YouTubers already have the game, innit?
I'll await, I'm playing SMTApocalypse on 3ds and this game take time!
@viciousarcanum Really? I always like reading reviews before buying a game.
@get2sammyb @ShogunRok what do you think of this type of practice? I'm sure it must get on your nerves.
I am happy to patiently await trusted reviews. Interested to know if it's worth putting on the Xmas list.
Despite the other examples given, like Destiny's DLC, I still don't see any valid reason for withholding review code unless you're not confident in your own product.
@FaultyDroid It can be a good way to stop spoilers getting out before release. But if lots of big youtubers have a copy and review sites don't then that excuse doesn't wash. So I would agree, the publisher likely has little faith in the product so it's worth being cautious.
@LieutenantFatman
Considering a review code can be as restricted as they want in terms of content, it does make you wonder. Especially since a Youtuber may not play the game as intended & just run around causing chaos, exposing potential bugs etc.
@FaultyDroid There's been a lot of controversy with youtubers taking large sums of money to essentially advertise games. Stipulations that they are not allow to say anything that could be considered negative. Not saying that's what has happened here, but.. you know. It happens.
@LieutenantFatman
Oh I 100% agree.. Wasn't there something with EA and IGN a couple of years ago? I can't imagine any scenario where some randomer with a popular video channel is given a pre-release copy of a high-profile title and is allowed to say whatever they want about it, good or bad. I'd imagine they're just told to demo the game, not give an opinion or final score. Either way, even without commentary those watching will be able to see for themselves if the game is what they expect of a 'finished' release.
I'll get it mid December for approximately £20. I'll know more about it by then.
meh, still getting it day one. I need something to keep my busy till Skyrim takes over all me free time.
@viciousarcanum
I'm gonna do exactly that, trust my gut and cancel my preorder. I don't care about the actual reviews, but the not making review copies available prior to launch gives me pause.
@themcnoisy Not a lot we can do really. It's frustrating, but it's the publishers' game — they don't have to work with us at all if they don't want to.
DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!
9 times out of 10 this is not a good sign.
@themcnoisy Definitely annoying like @get2sammyb says but not much we can do. We just have to hope that the swathes of people watching these videos actually realise that these early let's plays are little more than external advertisements.
Doom was embargoed and it was solid, maybe they just don't want someone over at polygon claiming it's racist to Italian-americans or something idiotic.
Considering i can't get mafia 2 to run properly on a decent pc so i could finish it up before getting this one....i'm perfectly happy sitting this one out until it goes on sale and gets a few month's worth of patches and fixes under it's belt. The commercials aren't doing it any favors either, it looks horribly outdated by current gen standards.
@get2sammyb I think you guys are pretty safe wih publishers as long as you don't pull a kotaku.
@ShogunRok Review code only goes out on launch day to the objective reviewers.....
@Splat agree with the skyrim remaster....stoked we got an updated version.
@Napples Honestly the one thing this game has going for it is its gorgeous visuals, beyond that seems like just another mafiosa out for revenge murder spree story....been there done that
I hate when publishers do this. I'm certain this will be a great game. But I'd still like to know well in advance. Helps the hype train.
so they want you to pre-order the game without knowing if it's any good.....
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