Mafia: The Old Country – Diving into the Sicilian Underworld

Mafia: The Old Country Key Art

Mafia: The Old Country, the latest entry in the Mafia series, takes a bold step back in time to the early 1900s, delving into the blood-soaked roots of organized crime in Sicily. Released on August 8, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, this prequel represents the fourth main entry in the franchise, promising an intense, cinematic experience that reimagines the origins of the Mafia.

Setting the Scene: A Return to the Roots

Developed by Hangar 13, The Old Country ditches the open-world approach of Mafia III and returns to a narrative-focused, linear experience, much like the original Mafia. The story unfolds in San Celeste, a fictional Sicilian town also featured in Mafia II, now reimagined in rich detail and historical authenticity.

The game doesn’t offer a sprawling open map filled with endless distractions. Instead, it delivers a tightly curated world where every location, character, and mission serves the overarching story. As reported by GamesRadar+, this decision enhances immersion and ensures every moment counts.

A Story of Loyalty, Betrayal, and Sacrifice

Players control Enzo Favara, a young Sicilian man who escapes brutal forced labor in sulphur mines, only to fall into the deadly embrace of the criminal underworld. Enzo becomes entangled with the Torrisi family, bitter rivals of the violent Spadaro clan.

The narrative weaves together familiar yet compelling mob tropes:

Luca – the kindly mentor with a past
Cesare – the impulsive nephew who always brings trouble
Don Bernardo Torrisi – the ruthless patriarch
Tino – the sharp-tongued consigliere
Isabella – the Don’s daughter and Enzo’s forbidden love

Voice acting in the Sicilian language adds a rich cultural layer to the immersive storytelling, drawing players deep into the emotional and violent heart of the early Mafia world.

Gameplay Mechanics: Combat, Stealth, and Travel

Mafia: The Old Country blends third-person action with stealth mechanics, delivering gritty, grounded combat true to its historical setting.

Key Features:

Period-authentic weapons like revolvers, rifles, and shotguns
Knife duels for up-close, high-stakes encounters
Stealth kills, hiding bodies, and ambushing foes
Travel via horseback and early 1900s cars

Combat emphasizes precision and timing rather than arcade-style chaos. Stealth provides a legitimate alternative, especially when facing heavily guarded enemy compounds.

The balance between action and quiet tension mirrors the power dynamics of early Mafia life—where survival required both brute force and careful calculation.

Reception and Critical Acclaim

Since its release, Mafia: The Old Country has been met with mostly positive reviews, earning:

76/100 on Metacritic (PC version)
71% recommendation score on OpenCritic

Highlights:

Visuals & Cinematics: Critics praised the authentic representation of 1900s Sicily, citing detailed architecture, costumes, and lighting as standout elements.
Narrative Strength: The story, characters, and pacing were widely commended, with particular praise for Johnny Santiago's performance as Don Torrisi.
Voice Acting: The inclusion of Sicilian voiceovers added a unique flavor to the narrative.

Criticisms:

Some reviews cited the gameplay mechanics as dated, with mission structures feeling occasionally repetitive or linear. Others felt the combat lacked depth, especially when compared to modern action games. Still, most agree the narrative and immersion make up for the game's mechanical limitations.

Final Thoughts: A Worthy Return

Mafia: The Old Country may not reinvent the wheel, but it delivers a powerful return to form for the franchise. By grounding the story in historical Sicily and focusing on a deeply personal narrative, Hangar 13 has rekindled the emotional, story-rich roots that made the series beloved in the first place.

For players looking for a thoughtful, cinematic mobster experience, this game is a compelling journey through loyalty, love, and lethal ambition.

📌 Image Credit: Key art courtesy of Nacon and Hangar 13. Source