Mafia Mobile Debuts, Can It Revive the Genre?

• Mafia Mobile is now available on iOS and Android
• It features a blend of strategy, turn-based combat, and base-building
• But could this crime boss simulator be arriving too late?

There was a time when the organized crime subgenre was a goldmine for mobile developers and publishers. Who could forget the era of Mafia City and its relentless phonk-style ads on YouTube? But has that boom come to an end? IGG appears to think otherwise with the launch of Mafia Mobile for iOS and Android.

As mentioned in my earlier coverage, Mafia Mobile looks like a solid contender in the mobile strategy space. It includes all the key elements—from recruiting heroes and guiding your criminal empire to launching and overseeing businesses, whether legitimate or otherwise.

Mafia Mobile also introduces additional mechanics, such as managing clubs and engaging in RPG-style combat. So it’s not just another social simulation game. And when it comes to visuals and presentation, it holds its own among competing titles.

Sleeping with the fishes

Still, success hinges on whether players are willing to give it a try. Personally, I’m having a hard time mustering much excitement for Mafia Mobile. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the game, but it feels all too familiar.

With so many major releases hitting the market regularly—our weekly roundup of the top five new mobile games is a perfect example—a standout hook or unique selling point is essential. And in my view, Mafia Mobile falls short in that regard, though I’m curious to see what players like you think.

The competition is particularly fierce within the strategy genre. Take a look at our selection of the best strategy games on iOS to see our top picks for aspiring leaders.