Mafia II - The Empire Bay

Lore & Background

The Empire Bay campaign unfolds across a metropolis stitched together from the bones of New York, Chicago, and San Francisco—a grimy, glittering sprawl that breathes with post-war ambition. Vito Scaletta returns from the hell of World War II to find his family drowning in debt and his old friend Joe Barbaro already elbow-deep in the underworld. Together, they claw their way through the treacherous ranks of the Falcone and Vinci crime families, pulling off jobs that range from slick heists to cold-blooded hits. The city isn't just a backdrop; it's a living, rotting character. The gilded towers of Midtown cast long shadows over the cramped, garlic-scented alleys of Little Italy, while the industrial docks reek of oil and desperation. Each district tells a story of prosperity bought with blood, and every street corner whispers of the syndicate's iron grip.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell in sheets over Empire Bay as Vito Scaletta stepped off the train, the taste of cheap whiskey still on his tongue. He'd left the war behind, but the city welcomed him with the stench of gasoline and decay. Joe was waiting in a battered sedan, grinning like a wolf. 'You're back,' he said, handing Vito a cigarette. 'Time to get to work.' They drove past the neon glow of the Empire Arms Hotel, past the shadow of the cathedral, and into the heart of a world where loyalty was a currency and betrayal was the only interest. Vito knew then that the real war had only just begun. But he didn't know yet that the worst battles wouldn't be fought with guns—they'd be fought in the quiet moments between drinks, when a friend's smile turns into a knife in the back.

Reader's Guide

The campaign of Mafia II unspools across 15 chapters, starting with Vito's grimy return to Empire Bay and his reunion with the reckless, grinning Joe Barbaro. To pay off his father's debts, Vito dives into petty crime—stealing cars, running moonshine through back alleys, and pulling off a jewelry store heist that goes sideways in a hail of gunfire. As he climbs the Falcone family ladder, the jobs grow bloodier: a double-cross at a dockside deal, a brutal interrogation in a meat locker, and a hit on a rival capo that leaves Vito's hands shaking. The story tightens like a noose when Vito's father is murdered and a trusted ally, Henry Tomasino, reveals a betrayal that forces Vito to choose between blood and ambition. The climax erupts in a violent showdown with the Vinci family, ending with a gut-punch choice that seals Vito's fate and sets the stage for the sequel. This isn't a sandbox—it's a tightly wound crime drama where every bullet and every whispered secret matters.

Did You Know?

• The campaign's narrative was inspired by classic mafia films like The Godfather and Goodfellas.
• Empire Bay's design incorporates elements from multiple real cities, including New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
• The game's soundtrack features licensed period music from the 1940s and 1950s, including tracks by artists like Louis Prima and The Andrews Sisters.
• Vito Scaletta's voice actor, Rick Pasqualone, also voiced characters in other Mafia series entries.