The Mafia series has long struggled with its open-world concept. In its debut, Mafia 1’s Lost Heaven was more akin to a minimalist, surreal take on the contemporary GTA 3. Moving on, Mafia 2’s ambition outpaced its delivery, as side activities in Empire Bay were cut out for later DLC, resulting in an unexpectedly barren map.
Quick Insights
Mafia 3 aimed to fill New Bordeaux with various side activities, but repetitive missions made it fall short of its goals. The series’ latest entry, Mafia: The Old Country, shifts from open exploration to a focus on the main storyline. While this direction seems promising, it struggles with delivering an engaging tale within its concise 13-hour narrative, much shorter than its predecessor’s 40-hour saga.
- Genre: Local youth joins Sicilian mafia in 1904 with predictably tumultuous results.
- Release Date: August 7, 2025
- Price Tag: $50 / £45
- Developed by: Hangar 13
- Published by: 2K
- Tested on: RTX 4080, AMD Ryzen 3700x, 32GB RAM
- Multiplayer: Not available
- Steam Deck Compatibility: Not supported
Predictable Storyline
The game’s protagonist, Enzo Favara, a down-and-out Sicilian labourer, finds himself under Don Torrisi’s service after a catastrophic mining accident. The plot introduces a host of familiar characters, including the Don’s charming daughter, Isabella; his ambitious nephew, Cesare; and the astute lieutenant, Luca. The storyline, however, follows a predictable trajectory, with every character arc unfolding as one might expect from the outset. Despite decent dialogue and strong performances, the game lacks narrative surprises.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay mechanics of Mafia: The Old Country present a mixed bag. While the game attempts a focused approach, it doesn’t particularly refine its core systems. Players traverse through simplistic stealth segments, adequate driving or horseback riding, and frustratingly repetitive combat scenarios.
In particular, the stealth mode stands out as the most convenient, owing to unintelligent adversaries and numerous distractions. Driving segments, while not terribly difficult, may provoke nostalgic anxiety in long-time fans due to their rigged nature. Combat, reminiscent of dated cover shooters, lacks precision and consistency, detracting from the overall experience.
The Knife Fight Frequency
Knife fights, rooted in Sicilian tradition, morph into predictable quick-time events. While initially engaging, they recur excessively, diminishing their novelty. The outcomes of these encounters become anticipated rituals rather than surprising events.
Despite visually appealing graphics, technical performance is subpar. Frequent stutters and prolonged load times mar the experience, even on high-end setups.
Conclusion
Mafia: The Old Country ultimately misses the mark, failing to evolve the series’ foundation. The title delivers a standard mob tale with unremarkable gameplay, making it the weakest chapter in the Mafia saga. Nonetheless, the scenic beauty of Sicily offers a rare visual delight amidst its narrative shortcomings.