It has been stated by 2K Czech that the game's cutscenes are created by the game engine, in real-time, rather than pre-rendered cutscenes. New controls include a cover system that allows the player to hide behind objects (such as generators, walls and large crates) to shoot enemies, rather than just using a crouch while behind an object. The checkpoint system has been completely overhauled. A map is included as in the original Mafia game. Interacting with objects in the environment involves two action buttons- a standard action and a 'violent' action (for example, when stealing a car, the player may choose to either pick its lock or break the window glass), used in context-sensitive situations. New WWII-era weapons like the MP 40, the M3 submachine gun, the MG 42 and the Beretta Model 38 also appear in the game.

Many firearms from the previous return, such as the Thompson submachine gun and Colt 1911, as well as a pump-action shotgun (though it was changed from a Winchester Model 12 to a Remington 870). The game is set in the 1940-50s era of Empire Bay, a fictional city based on New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit There are 30-40 vehicles in the game (45 with DLC) as well as licensed music from the era. A Mac OS X version was released in December 2011. Originally announced in August 2007 at the Leipzig Games Convention, it was released on Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in August 2010. It is developed by 2K Czech, previously known as Illusion Softworks, and is published by 2K Games. Mafia II is a third-person action-adventure video game, the sequel to Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven.

Mafia 2 stairway to heaven