Mafia: The Old Country takes the series back to its roots. Developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K, this prequel trades the sprawling American cityscapes of past games for the rustic hills and villages of early 1900s Sicily. The change in scenery isn’t just about looks. This one focuses on story, ditching the open-world fluff for a tighter, clearer narrative.
Mafia: The Old Country sets the mood from the start, blending small personal moments with the rivalries and shifting alliances you expect in a Mafia tale. Every chapter moves things along, wrapping it all up in about 12 to 15 hours. If you like games that get to the point and don’t overstay their welcome, this one delivers.
Mafia: The Old Country details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC
Developer(s): Hangar 13
Publisher(s): 2K
Genre: Action-adventure
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Trust in the shadows
Setting the story in early 1900s Sicily changes everything. Forget city skylines. Here it’s rolling vineyards, small villages, and dusty roads past crumbling ruins. You’ll wander through lively markets, rest in quiet church squares, and spot gardens hidden in unexpected corners. That peaceful backdrop makes the clashes and rivalries in the story stand out even more.
The game follows Enzo Favara as he’s drawn into the orbit of Don Bernardo Torissi, head of a family locked in a bitter feud with the rival Spadaro clan. The big crime family feud drives the plot, but it’s the smaller moments that really stick. Spending time with friends like the calm, steady Luca or the unpredictable Cesare gives the story a more human side. Then there’s Enzo’s relationship with Isabella, The Don’s daughter, which adds another reason to care about where his choices lead.
What I liked most was how the pacing gave those quieter moments a chance to land. I actually stopped after a chat between Enzo and Luca to think about what just happened. It wasn’t a big twist or some dramatic reveal. It was just a moment of trust, the kind you hardly see here. In most games like this, bonds tend to form during shootouts, not over quiet conversations.
The writing mixes emotional moments with the harsh side of Mafia life. Loyalty, betrayal, and ambition drive everything here, and the Sicilian backdrop makes them stand out more. The story works whether you’ve been with the series for years or are trying it for the first time. It starts strong, keeps moving, and wraps up without overstaying its welcome.
Every job has its risks
Mafia: The Old Country keeps its gameplay straightforward and purposeful. Each chapter pushes you toward a specific goal, whether that’s setting up an ambush, sneaking past enemies, or fighting your way out when things go bad. Story beats, travel, and action blend well to keep things moving. Stealth gets more attention this time, with some missions focused entirely on it. You can throw objects to draw guards away, move in for quick takedowns, and stash bodies to stay unnoticed. The tools are simple, but they do the job, and the no-detection objectives keep the pressure on.
Gunfights are built around cover-based shooting with a solid variety of weapons. Pistols, shotguns, rifles, and repeaters all feel distinct, and the AI is sharper than before, flanking and forcing you to move. Knife duels appear in key story moments, mixing dodges, parries, and timed strikes. Knives can also carry buffs like stronger melee damage or health recovery after a takedown, adding some strategy to the gameplay. I’ll never forget a hillside shootout with some bandits. I was stuck behind a low wall, waiting for the right chance to move. When I finally broke cover and sprinted in, it ended up being one of my favourite wins in the whole game. It wasn’t flashy, but it felt earned.
This isn’t an open world game, and that works in its favour. The Old Country guides you through a mostly linear story, keeping the focus on strong missions instead of scattering your attention with filler. I enjoyed that approach, as it made every chapter feel purposeful. Outside of combat, you can buy and ride horses, drive period cars, or skip travel entirely to get straight to the action. Collectibles like rosary charms, saint’s cards, and cultural items are scattered throughout missions, with some offering passive buffs. While there’s not much reason to revisit earlier chapters beyond achievements or higher difficulties, the core gameplay stays consistent from start to finish.
Under the Sicilian sun
While playing Mafia: The Old Country, I sometimes stopped just to look around. Vineyards ran along the hills, narrow streets cut through small villages, and old villas showed their age. A gramophone in a courtyard or a grandmother cooking near an open window made the world feel lived in.
The characters look great up close, and the period cars and horses fit perfectly with the setting. There’s even a Sicilian voice option for extra authenticity, though it isn’t lip-synced. Italian is limited to subtitles and menus. The soundtrack mixes classical and scene-fitting tracks, and the voice acting is strong across the board, with Don Torissi’s performance standing out most.
I played on PlayStation 5 and it ran well overall, with quick load times and mostly steady frame rates. There were a few stutters before certain interactions and small things like ghosting in cutscenes or odd shading on faces, but nothing that really got in the way. I liked the look and feel of it from the first chapter and that never changed right through to the credits.
Mafia: The Old Country puts the story front and centre
Mafia: The Old Country knows exactly what it wants to be. It tells its story in a grounded way, set in a world that feels authentic. The straightforward structure keeps things moving, and each chapter stands out with its mix of sneaking, shootouts, or big set-piece moments.
Here’s a snapshot of the pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The story is focused and well-paced. | Occasional stutters and minor visual glitches. |
| Characters are memorable and well-acted. | Limited replay value after finishing the story. |
| The Sicilian setting feels detailed and authentic. | |
| Stealth and combat are simple but satisfying. |
Not everything lands perfectly. The occasional technical hiccup shows up, and once the credits roll, there isn’t much reason to come back beyond replaying chapters or hunting for collectibles. But for me, that didn’t matter. I wanted a well-told Mafia story, and that’s what I got.
Overall assessment of Mafia: The Old Country
Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 4.5/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 2.5/5
Overall rating: 3.8/5 (76%)
What stuck with me most wasn’t some huge fight or over-the-top moment. It was sitting, watching the light fade while the music played softly, before heading off to the next job. That’s when I knew the game had me. If you’re after a Mafia game that values its story, doesn’t waste your time, and knows exactly what it wants to be, The Old Country is an easy recommendation.
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