It’s hard to believe it’s been a full decade since the Mafia series saw a new entry and even harder to forget that the last one, 2015’s Mafia 3, left many fans disappointed. After the closure of 2K Czech, the original creators of Mafia 1 and 2, the franchise was passed on to a new studio, Hangar 13. Their debut title, Mafia 3, did deliver a gripping and well-written narrative, but it was bogged down by a painfully repetitive mission structure that forced players to grind through the same tasks for hours before reaching the next main story beat. The game’s broken state at launch only made matters worse. For a series as beloved as Mafia, it was a disheartening step down.
Setting & Atmosphere
The biggest surprise is the setting: a prequel taking place in 1905 Sicily. Instead of the bustling urban landscapes of Lost Heaven or Empire Bay, this story unfolds in the rural countryside. The main hub is San Celeste – known from Mafia II’s WWII prologue – now recreated with painstaking attention to detail. From weathered walls to warm Mediterranean lighting, every corner of this world feels authentic.
The vibe here leans far more toward Red Dead Redemption than past Mafia titles: expect long stretches on horseback before you even touch a car, and weaponry limited to the era’s bolt-action rifles and revolvers. The change of scenery gives The Old Country a distinct identity, and I personally loved it. The Sicilian countryside is gorgeous, and wandering through its towns gave me the same awe I felt playing Assassin’s Creed II for the first time.
Linear by Design
Despite its expansive map, The Old Country is not an open-world game. The developers have been clear that this is a story-driven, linear experience. Free exploration exists, but it’s limited, and the world mostly serves as a backdrop for the narrative. You’ll find a few collectibles and scenic views, but the pacing keeps you moving from mission to mission. Even during longer travel sections, there’s an optional “skip drive” button – a nod to the fact that the focus here is firmly on storytelling.
Story & Characters
The narrative is easily among the best in the series, standing proudly alongside Mafia I and Mafia II. Our new protagonist, Enzo Favara, is sold into a sulfur mine at the age of five. The story follows his escape and eventual entanglement with the Torrisi Crime Family. Unlike Tommy, Vito, or Lincoln, Enzo starts as a 17-year-old without a hardened gangster persona. He’s strong-willed but reluctant, drawn into the mafia more by circumstance than ambition.
At its heart, this is a love story – something I didn’t expect but ended up loving. Enzo’s relationship with Isabella, the Don’s daughter, is tender, complicated, and central to the plot. Their romance is beautifully written, with tensions simmering beneath the surface as Enzo rises through the family ranks. The narrative builds slowly in the first half, letting you grow attached to allies and wary of enemies, before exploding into a high-stakes, cinematic second half.
The supporting cast is equally strong. Johnny Santiago’s portrayal of Don Torrisi is magnetic, while Enzo’s friends – Cesare and Luca Trapani (father of Mafia I’s Samuele Trapani) – bring genuine camaraderie to the story. It’s a tale worthy of comparison to some of the best mob films and TV shows, with twists you’ll want to experience spoiler-free.
Gameplay
Mechanically, The Old Country is “good enough” – functional and enjoyable without breaking new ground. It plays similarly to Mafia: Definitive Edition, but with a greater emphasis on stealth. Gunplay feels nearly identical, though the arsenal is era-appropriate: bolt-action rifles, revolvers, and no automatic weapons.
Both horseback riding and driving are smooth and satisfying. Interestingly, early 1900s cars are much faster here than in Definitive Edition – a likely choice for gameplay fun over strict realism.
Visuals & Performance
On Unreal Engine 5, the game is visually stunning. The environments are richly detailed, NPCs bustle in the background, and the lighting captures Sicily’s Mediterranean warmth. Character faces may not rival Death Stranding 2’s lifelike fidelity, but they fit the aesthetic perfectly.
Performance on PS5 Pro was solid. In Performance Mode, the game held 60+ FPS but at the cost of softer visuals due to low base resolution and no upscaling tech like PSSR. Quality Mode looked much sharper and ran between 45–60 FPS, which I ultimately preferred. UE5’s typical hiccups are present: occasional traversal stutter, texture pop-in, and some race-driving slowdowns. Console performance is generally stable, though PC players have reported more serious issues.
Final Verdict
Mafia: The Old Country is a worthy addition to the series – focused, story-rich, and confident in its identity. By leaning into the franchise’s greatest strength, its narrative, and shedding the pressure to be a sprawling open-world game, it finds a new, refined direction. At $50, it’s an easy recommendation for fans of the series or anyone craving a high-quality, cinematic crime drama.