A Return to the Old Country: The ‘Mafia’ Series Finds Its Roots in Sicily

The highly-anticipated prequel, Mafia: The Old Country, has finally arrived, transporting players to the sun-drenched, rugged landscapes of early 20th-century Sicily. Developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K Games, this latest installment promised to take the series back to its narrative-driven, linear roots, eschewing the expansive but often criticized open-world structure of its predecessor, Mafia III. After its release on August 8, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the game has been met with a mix of praise for its immersive world and storytelling, and criticism for its more simplistic gameplay mechanics. This review will delve into what makes Mafia: The Old Country a memorable, if not flawless, return to form for the beloved franchise.

The Grandeur of Sicily and a Compelling Narrative

One of the most striking aspects of Mafia: The Old Country is its world-building. The game’s depiction of Sicily is nothing short of breathtaking. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the developers have created a lush, atmospheric, and highly detailed environment that feels alive. The use of technologies like Nanite and Lumen gives the cobblestone streets, rustic architecture, and rolling hills a level of visual fidelity that is truly next-gen. This attention to detail isn’t just cosmetic; it serves to ground the narrative and immerse the player in the historical setting. You can almost feel the heat of the Sicilian sun and smell the citrus groves, making the world a character in itself.

The story follows Enzo Favara, a young man navigating the brutal underworld of the burgeoning Cosa Nostra. The narrative is a tightly-woven, cinematic experience that feels like a classic mob movie. The writing is strong, and the voice acting, particularly the nuanced performances enabled by Epic’s MetaHuman technology, brings the characters to life with remarkable authenticity. While some critics argue that the plot hits familiar beats—the loyal best friend, the powerful Don, the forbidden love—it executes these tropes with such skill and heart that they feel less like clichés and more like an homage to the genre. The story is a core strength of the game, providing a gripping and emotional journey that keeps players invested from beginning to end.

Gameplay: A Step Back or a Focused Approach?

In a conscious effort to move away from the “open-world bloat,” Mafia: The Old Country adopts a more linear, mission-based structure. This focus allows the story to be told without distraction, maintaining a brisk and engaging pace. However, this design choice has also been the subject of some debate. While the gameplay is serviceable, it’s not particularly innovative. The third-person cover shooting, while functional, lacks the depth and complexity of modern action games. Similarly, the touted knife combat, which is featured in boss encounters, is often criticized for being too simplistic and easy to parry through. Stealth segments, while integrated into the gameplay, can feel a bit too scripted, leading to frustrating instant-fail scenarios.

Driving mechanics, a staple of the series, are also present. The cars, meticulously recreated from the early 1900s, handle in a simplified manner that makes them easy to control but perhaps less realistic than some players might desire. The world itself, while visually stunning, lacks the interactivity and side content of more traditional open-world games. There are no side quests and little to do outside of the main story missions and collecting historical artifacts. For players who value a streamlined, cinematic experience, this focused design is a breath of fresh air. For those who prefer robust gameplay systems and a world full of activities, the experience may feel a bit shallow.

Technical Performance and Final Thoughts

On a technical level, Mafia: The Old Country generally performs well, though some players have reported occasional performance fluctuations and stutters, particularly during transitions between gameplay and cutscenes. The game supports modern upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS, as well as frame generation, which helps to deliver a smooth experience on a wide range of hardware. The production value is top-notch, from the musical score to the detailed character models, creating a high-quality experience that feels polished and complete.

In conclusion, Mafia: The Old Country is a game that knows what it wants to be: a concise, story-driven, and atmospheric gangster epic. It successfully returns the series to its roots, prioritizing a compelling narrative and stunning world over sprawling open-world content and complex gameplay mechanics. It may not be the most inventive action game on the market, but its rich storytelling and immersive setting make it one of the most memorable. For fans of the original Mafia and Mafia II, and for anyone who loves a good cinematic gangster tale, this is a title that is well worth playing.