In defense of Mafia: The Old Country (Review)

With the arrival of 2K and Hangar 13’s Mafia: The Old Country, opinions about the game flooded social media, as some fans raised concerns about where the iconic long-running franchise is heading with future titles. 

While the game hasn’t received the same criticism as Mafia III, which received negative reviews due to its storyline, day one bugs, and repetitive gameplay, several concerns were raised regarding Mafia: The Old Country.

First, the game’s $50 pricetag didn’t sit well with many due to its short 12-15 hour campaign. Many players said that they couldn’t justify the price-to-hours-played ratio.

Several others expected an open world game with side missions and a lot of content, similar to Mafia III. However, what they got instead was a story-driven linear game with minimal side content.

Some reported crashes and performance issues. It’s worth noting that the game crashed twice during our experience on PC.

Hangar 13 did an exceptional job of recreating Italy’s Sicily during the 1900s. While the world is visually stunning for its color palette and lighting, there hasn’t been much to explore, but that’s ok. Why?

Not every game has to be a 100-hour open-world game.

In defense of Mafia: The Old Country (Review)

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In what Mafia: The Old Country lacks, such as gameplay and exploration, it makes up for with a gripping storyline, excellent voice acting, well-written characters, and stunning graphics.

The choice of cast and voice actors really elevated the title, which follows the story of a mine boy called Enzo, who ventures into the world of the Italian mafia after stumbling upon the Don Torrisi familia, as he makes his way up the ladder.

While the gameplay doesn’t break the mold, it was still enjoyable, especially the stealthy parts. In some areas, players can finish a level undetected if they wish to do so.

Moreover, riding cars and horses across Sicily feels great, especially using the faster vehicles you unlock down the line.

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On the contrary, gunplay needs improvement, especially in the crosshair department. With some weapons, the crosshair opens up too much while aiming, making it a frustrating experience at times.

In a world full of open world fatigue and AAA games creeping into the $80 pricetag, Mafia: The Old Country and other titles like our GOTY, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, are a breath of fresh air in 2025.

Whether the price tag is worth it depends on you as a gamer and what you expect for $50. You can always pick it up later on sale or for a possible Game Pass and PlayStation Plus release.

Verdict