"Jimmy's Vendetta" is a DLC for Mafia II where the developers apparently thought: "Let's make a character who doesn't brood, suffer, or ponder life like Vito Scaletta. Let's just have him shoot everyone and tear up the streets in fast cars." And that approach worked.
The story here is simple. The main character is Jimmy - a real tough guy with a voice to match. He didn't come to Empire Bay to reflect on the fate of the mob; he came to get things done, fast and brutal. He was framed, thrown in jail, and then released. Now he's back on the streets with one goal: make everyone pay. Loudly, if possible.
Jimmy is the total opposite of Vito Scaletta. While Vito was a kid from the neighborhood who joined the mob out of desperation, Jimmy is a professional fixer. Think of him as a Punisher-lite. Cold stare (though you might miss it under his sunglasses), and a short conversation style: either you stay out of his way, or... you stay out of his way.
The gameplay will be familiar to anyone who played the original Mafia II. Everything's here: melee brawls, shootouts, pistols, shotguns. Driving stylish cars around Empire Bay is still a highlight - only now you'll be speeding and smashing harder than ever, because most missions are pure action: shoot, drive, repeat.
The DLC feels more like a marathon of missions, one after another, with hardly any breaks for reflection. No heartfelt talks, no cozy hangouts with friends. Just straight-up crime and nonstop action.
Gunfights and driving are front and center - and that's not a bad thing. Especially if all you want is to blow off steam, shoot up some enemies, or pull off a flashy drift in a classic sedan.
"Jimmy's Vendetta" is a solid addition to Mafia II. It doesn't try to deliver deep drama or a layered story, but it works perfectly as a bit of gaming stress relief. Roaming Empire Bay, gunning down enemies left and right, with just a touch of madness - it's genuinely fun. Sure, it's not a masterpiece. No, it's not as atmospheric as Vito's original tale. But it's enjoyable to play. Especially if you feel like unleashing your own personal vendetta on the city's streets.
7 out of 10.
