Introduction

The year is 1958, and things are going stunningly well for the Italian-run underworld in the United States. The Corleone family, which burst onto the scene only a couple of decades earlier, is in especially good shape. Their illicit financial empire stretches across the entire country, from Las Vegas to Miami to New York, with direct connections back in the old country. But business can be even better, and that's why Hyman Roth has called a meeting of the United States' major crime families in Havana, Cuba on New Years Eve. This is where our story begins.

However, it isn't where the story ends, for learned students of history know precisely what happens the very next day. January 1st of 1959 ushers in the Cuban Revolution and with it a communist takeover of the once American-friendly nation. Out goes one dictator -- Fulgencio Batista -- and in comes another, in the form of the infamous Fidel Castro. With pro-Americanism thrown to the wayside upon the ousting of Batista, the Mafioso looking to take advantage of lax Cuban regulations to make lots of money out of the United States have a big problem on their hands. It's time to get out of Cuba, and return to the States.

And while you'll certainly return to Cuba during the course of The Godfather II, it's conducting your operations within Miami and New York that truly lie at the heart of the game. While The Godfather II is a much more robust and engaging experience than the original Godfather game, the premise remains largely the same. It's up to you to expand the strength of the Corleone empire by creating a family of your own. Your character, Dominic, will start from the ground up, building his (or your) empire patiently. Extort businesses, carefully launder your money, pay off crooked cops and do favors for random people to receive favors in return.

The life of a boss is tough, indeed, and that's where IGN Guides comes in. Our Basics section will give you a complete, thorough rundown of everything you need to know to sustain and grow your family and criminal empire. Our Walkthrough will guide you, step-by-step, through each and every section of the game, so that you're never unsure of how to proceed with the main quest. The Businesses section gives you information on each and every business in the game, in all three geographic locations. Our section of the guide called The Books primarily covers all of the game's coveted safes and difficult execution styles, while The Don's Connections will give you information on corrupt officials and other people you can bribe, favors you can earn, and more.

In this Godfather II strategy guide, you'll find:

• BASICS // The fine art of being a Mafioso, fully explained.
• WALKTHROUGH // A step-by-step chronicle of Dominic's rise in the underworld.
• THE BOOKS // A complete list of safes, as well as all execution styles.
• BUSINESSES // Information on each and every extortable business in the game.
• THE DON'S CONNECTIONS // Corrupt officials, favors, and more.

Guide by: Colin Moriarty