The storyline for Mafia II is a gritty drama and chronicles the rise of Vito Scaletta, the son of Sicilian immigrants. As the game progresses, Vito joins the Falcone Crime Family and becomes a "made man", as does his best friend Joe Barbaro.
The story begins with Vito returning home from World War II. Vito had joined the U.S. Army as a way of avoiding jail time for a botched robbery. Vito reunites with his old friend, Joe Barbaro, and the two quickly embark upon a life of crime. Their criminal ascension starts with Mike Bruski, a car mechanic who needs a certain type of car to chop for parts, and will pay $400 for one that the police are not tailing. Soon enough, Vito, Joe, and Henry Tomasino find themselves battling with, for, against, and around three crime factions: the Falcone, Vinci and Clemente families.
