The people of Empire Bay
The Characters of Mafia II
Meet Vito, Joe, Henry and the people whose friendships, rivalries and family loyalties define Mafia II.
The people of Empire Bay
Mafia II is driven by relationships. Every job, favor and betrayal connects Vito Scaletta to people who want something from him.
The game’s characters are rarely divided into simple heroes and villains. Friendship can be sincere and still dangerous. Loyalty can protect someone in one chapter and destroy them in the next.
Vito Scaletta
Vito is the protagonist of Mafia II. Born in Sicily, he moves to Empire Bay with his family as a child and grows up in poverty.
He is practical, reserved and determined to avoid the difficult life experienced by his father. His pursuit of money and respect leads him into organized crime, first as a way to help his family and later as a path toward personal security.
Vito is capable and disciplined, but he repeatedly underestimates how little control he has over the criminal world around him.
Joe Barbaro
Joe is Vito’s oldest friend and closest partner. Outgoing, impulsive and ambitious, he embraces the excitement of criminal life more openly than Vito.
Joe provides Vito with his first connections after the war. His humor and confidence make him one of the game’s most memorable characters, but his temper and appetite for risk frequently create trouble.
His loyalty to Vito is genuine, even when his decisions put both men in danger.
Henry Tomasino
Henry is an experienced associate first connected to the Clemente family. He is calmer and more professional than Joe, often acting as the practical third member of the group.
After the fall of the Clemente organization, Henry seeks new opportunities. His later dealings become central to the conflict that drives Mafia II toward its conclusion.
Leo Galante
Leo Galante is a senior adviser associated with the Vinci family. Vito meets him while serving his prison sentence.
Leo recognizes Vito’s potential, protects him and teaches him the discipline expected in organized crime. He becomes an important mentor whose influence continues after Vito leaves prison.
Unlike many figures in Empire Bay, Leo understands that restraint and negotiation can be more powerful than uncontrolled violence.
The Falcone family
Carlo Falcone leads an ambitious organization seeking greater control over Empire Bay. He presents himself as modern and forward-looking, but his decisions intensify the city’s criminal conflicts.
Eddie Scarpa is one of Falcone’s senior men and becomes an important contact for Vito and Joe. His friendliness and nightlife conceal his role in a violent organization.
The Clemente family
Alberto Clemente leads one of the city’s established criminal families. His organization gives Vito and Joe early opportunities but does not always reward their work fairly.
The family’s treatment of its associates helps push the pair toward new alliances.
The Vinci family
Frank Vinci is the oldest and most traditional of Empire Bay’s major bosses. His organization values order and stability and is suspicious of actions that could bring unnecessary attention.
Leo Galante serves as one of Vinci’s most trusted advisers.
Vito’s family
Maria Scaletta, Vito’s mother, wants her son to live honestly and remain connected to his faith and family.
Francesca Scaletta, Vito’s sister, represents the ordinary family life he believes he is protecting. The consequences of Vito’s choices eventually damage their relationship.
Antonio Scaletta, Vito’s late father, remains important to the story through the debt and unanswered questions he leaves behind.
Other important figures
Mafia II is driven by relationships. Every job, favor and betrayal connects Vito Scaletta to people who want something from him.
The game’s characters are rarely divided into simple heroes and villains. Friendship can be sincere and still dangerous. Loyalty can protect someone in one chapter and destroy them in the next.
Vito Scaletta
Vito is the protagonist of Mafia II. Born in Sicily, he moves to Empire Bay with his family as a child and grows up in poverty.
He is practical, reserved and determined to avoid the difficult life experienced by his father. His pursuit of money and respect leads him into organized crime, first as a way to help his family and later as a path toward personal security.
Vito is capable and disciplined, but he repeatedly underestimates how little control he has over the criminal world around him.
Joe Barbaro
Joe is Vito’s oldest friend and closest partner. Outgoing, impulsive and ambitious, he embraces the excitement of criminal life more openly than Vito.
Joe provides Vito with his first connections after the war. His humor and confidence make him one of the game’s most memorable characters, but his temper and appetite for risk frequently create trouble.
His loyalty to Vito is genuine, even when his decisions put both men in danger.
Henry Tomasino
Henry is an experienced associate first connected to the Clemente family. He is calmer and more professional than Joe, often acting as the practical third member of the group.
After the fall of the Clemente organization, Henry seeks new opportunities. His later dealings become central to the conflict that drives Mafia II toward its conclusion.
Leo Galante
Leo Galante is a senior adviser associated with the Vinci family. Vito meets him while serving his prison sentence.
Leo recognizes Vito’s potential, protects him and teaches him the discipline expected in organized crime. He becomes an important mentor whose influence continues after Vito leaves prison.
Unlike many figures in Empire Bay, Leo understands that restraint and negotiation can be more powerful than uncontrolled violence.
The Falcone family
Carlo Falcone leads an ambitious organization seeking greater control over Empire Bay. He presents himself as modern and forward-looking, but his decisions intensify the city’s criminal conflicts.
Eddie Scarpa is one of Falcone’s senior men and becomes an important contact for Vito and Joe. His friendliness and nightlife conceal his role in a violent organization.
The Clemente family
Alberto Clemente leads one of the city’s established criminal families. His organization gives Vito and Joe early opportunities but does not always reward their work fairly.
The family’s treatment of its associates helps push the pair toward new alliances.
The Vinci family
Frank Vinci is the oldest and most traditional of Empire Bay’s major bosses. His organization values order and stability and is suspicious of actions that could bring unnecessary attention.
Leo Galante serves as one of Vinci’s most trusted advisers.
Vito’s family
Maria Scaletta, Vito’s mother, wants her son to live honestly and remain connected to his faith and family.
Francesca Scaletta, Vito’s sister, represents the ordinary family life he believes he is protecting. The consequences of Vito’s choices eventually damage their relationship.
Antonio Scaletta, Vito’s late father, remains important to the story through the debt and unanswered questions he leaves behind.
Other important figures
- Derek Pappalardo: A waterfront union official with connections to Vito’s family history.
- Steve Coyne: Derek’s violent associate at the docks.
- Mike Bruski: Owner of a scrapyard and an early source of work.
- Giuseppe Palminteri: A skilled supplier who helps Vito obtain tools and weapons.
- Marty Santorelli: A young associate who looks up to Joe.
- Brian O’Neill: An Irish gang leader whose conflict with Vito continues inside prison.