Classic difficulty makes health stations ridiculously important, and careful gameplay is absolutely necessary, just like in the original. You'll die a lot, but there are a few cool additions to this game - the new cover system (sometimes) helps you out, and the firing mechanics have been updated slightly. The melee combat is much easier this time around and the cars run more smoothly than before. Oh, and there are checkpoints.
In another way, this game is even more difficult than before. So here are 10 quick tips to get you started.
# 1: Collect additional weapons and ammo from the armory
After your mission briefing, you will often visit Vinnie's workshop. There is an armory door in his room where you can equip a pistol, heavy weapon, ammo, or anything else. In classic mode, you need all the ammo you can get. It also helps to have a shotgun or rifle before shooting begins - larger pistols make life a lot easier.
# 2: use the speed limiter to avoid speeding
is pretty hardcore when it comes to the rules of the road. If you speed up, you will be intercepted by the cops. If they are flashing their lights on 1 star, stop and pay - don't bother to let off steam and get into a shootout. To avoid being picked up so often, simply activate the speed limiter.
This feature, when activated, allows you to stay within the current speed limit. Your car will hit maximum speed and not go faster - this is incredibly useful, don't forget to turn it off when chasing someone.
# 3: Caught by the cops? Look for a long road and reach maximum speed
If you accidentally cause an accident, you could have more than a ticket. When you are at 2 stars or higher it is time to run as they will stop or shoot you. The best way to escape is to find the longest straight line and hit straight ahead.
Cars in mafia are quite slow in general, but if you find a long road, they can hit top speed and easily overtake cops. You can also find markers on the map indicating where to hide to instantly escape.
# 4: In shootouts, detonate enemies quickly to stun them
Your standard pistols only kill if you land a headshot, and most pistols aren't very accurate. To kill enemies at close range, or even at long range, make sure to keep shooting. Each hit briefly stuns an enemy, making sure they don't pull you back as you unload at them. It's really only needed for pistols, but it's so important. Do not shoot once! Keep shooting before they can recover.
# 5: Heavy weapons (shotguns and rifles) stun enemies longer
The beauty of the bolt-action rifle is that a single shot leaves an enemy completely exposed and stunned for a long time. A bullet to the chest won't kill instantly, but it will cause them to double in pain, giving you time to jump a second shot. The shotgun is great for another offensive tactic - charging!
# 6: Charge into a fight and enemies will run away - and miss by firing wildly
If there is only one enemy left and you have a shotgun, the AI will force the villain to retreat. By getting in close, you can knock enemies out of cover just by getting in close and forcing them to run. The shotgun isn't precise, but it's a great scare tool. Enemies that shoot blindly are surprisingly inaccurate. You can stand in front of enemies shooting blind and they might never hit you.
This trick also works for knives. Sometimes it's best to just charge - wait for them to charge up and try to kill the knife. Sometimes it's safer than trying to get a picture in your head.
# 7: Do a thorough search in each area - Health stations are scattered all over the place
Health posts are ridiculously important. Like in the original game, Health Stations are the only way to heal between encounters. And on Classic, you'll die fast. If you're in cover, you can still take damage if you're not careful. Between shootings, always check the toilets, hallways and side rooms of health posts. They are everywhere and the levels are often designed in a non-linear fashion. Check everywhere!
# 8: You always recover a small amount of health - Hide and recharge if you are close to death
includes modern saving grace. You will always recover a small chunk of health - around 10%. This is enough to save you if you are driving a car and run into a minor accident, or if you get shot once with a pistol. Don't even stay in cover! Get out of there. Find a large blanket and wait.
# 9: Duck & Shoot - Sticking to the blanket isn't always helpful!
The original didn't have cover mechanics, and sometimes you'll want to ignore them as well. You can still dodge - just stay low and line up your shots, moving out of cover with your normal movement keys. Staying in the shelter can make you more vulnerable and exposed than staying away. Enemies are also happy with molotov cocktails and throw one if you're still standing for too long. Be prepared to retire!
# 10: Unless you want the trophy, reduce the difficulty in the big race
Classic difficulty is the best way to experience the original. It's tough but not unbeatable - until you play one of the first missions where you are forced to run. This infamous mission is somehow even more difficult than before. If you get it wrong even once, you lose the race. You might as well give up.
That's why you can change the difficulty at any time. This race sucks. Just decrease the difficulty to complete it, then increase it for later levels.
