In Defense of Mafia: The Old Country (Review)

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Digital Phablet – Upon the release of 2K and Hangar 13’s Mafia: The Old Country, social media was flooded with opinions about the game. Some fans expressed concerns regarding the future direction of this long-standing franchise.

While Mafia: The Old Country hasn’t faced the same level of criticism as Mafia III— which was panned for its storyline, launch bugs, and repetitive gameplay—several issues have been brought up.

First, the game’s $50 price tag was contentious for many, given its relatively short campaign length of about 12-15 hours. Several players felt the value didn’t match the price based on hours of gameplay.

Others anticipated an open-world experience with side missions and extensive content, similar to Mafia III. Instead, what they received was a story-focused, linear adventure with limited side activities.

Some users encountered crashes and performance glitches; during our testing on PC, the game crashed twice. However, Hangar 13 did a remarkable job recreating Sicily in Italy during the early 1900s. Although the visuals are impressive, with vibrant colors and compelling lighting, the exploration options are minimal—but that’s perfectly fine. Why? Because not every game needs to be a 100-hour open-world epic.

In Defense of Mafia: The Old Country (Review)

In terms of gameplay and exploration, Mafia: The Old Country may fall short, but it compensates with an engaging story, top-notch voice acting, memorable characters, and stunning graphics.

The casting and voice talent greatly enhanced the game, which narrates the story of Enzo—a young man working in a mine—who ventures into the realm of the Italian mafia after discovering the Don Torrisi family and climbing his way up the ranks.

While the core gameplay doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it remains enjoyable, particularly during stealth segments. Players have the option to complete levels undetected if they prefer.

Driving cars and horses across Sicily also feels fantastic, especially with the faster vehicles they gradually unlock.

However, gunplay requires some refinement, particularly the crosshair mechanics. With certain weapons, the crosshair widens excessively during aiming, which can be frustrating at times.

In an era of open-world fatigue and AAA titles often priced at $80, Mafia: The Old Country and titles like our Game of the Year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, offer a refreshing change in 2025.

Whether the $50 price tag is justified depends on individual expectations. The game can often be purchased later during sales or included in services like Game Pass or PlayStation Plus.

Verdict

The final judgment weighs heavily on personal preference—some will find the compelling narrative and craftsmanship worth the investment, despite the gameplay limitations.