Introduction
Mafia: The Old Country is a very immersive action-adventure game that takes place in Sicily in the early 1900s. Hangar 13 made it and it came out in 2025. It is a prequel to the popular *Mafia* series. Through the eyes of Enzo Favara, a young man sold into hard labor and then forced to fight to fit in with deadly crime families, the game takes players into the harsh, dangerous world of the Sicilian underworld.
This blog talks about what makes *Mafia: The Old Country* worth your time, including its interesting story and setting, gameplay, characters, and pros and cons. This review tells you what to expect, whether you have been a fan of Mafia for a long time or are new to the series.
The setting and story take place in Sicily in the early 1900s.
Enzo Favara, the main character, works in a dark sulfur mine where conditions are terrible. Enzo escapes after his friend dies and he gets into a deadly fight with a rival. He is then protected by Don Bernardo Torrisi, the head of a powerful Sicilian crime family.
This is the beginning of his rise through the Torrisi family. The game shows how beautiful and harsh Sicily can be with its dusty village streets, rolling vineyards, and crumbling ruins. The setting is full of history and violence. The story looks at loyalty, betrayal, family honor, and love.
Mafia: The Old Country* is mostly linear, unlike most modern open-world games. This means that you follow Enzo’s story, which is very tightly woven and has clear goals. The story is more about personal drama and power struggles than about freedom. This old-fashioned way of telling stories fits the tone perfectly and keeps the story interesting.
Style of Play: Classic, Focused, and Movie-like
The game is mostly third-person action with missions that move the story forward. This game goes back to a classic style, unlike some recent Mafia games that had big open worlds. You move through detailed settings and fight with guns, motorcycles, and knives.
In combat, you use period weapons like pistols, sawed-off shotguns, and stiletto knives to fight up close and shoot from a distance. Depending on the mission, you may have to choose between stealth, direct confrontation, or a mix of the two.
Driving is an important part of missions, and it shows what Sicily was like before cars were common. Horses are a common way to get around, which gives this game a unique old-world feel that other crime games do not have.
There are different kinds of missions. You will protect your assets, sneak into enemy territory, chase down rivals, and get away from ambushes. The pace stays even between action, story, and exploration.
People and Their Relationships
Enzo is more than just a quiet hero. He grows as the game goes on, making friends with important characters like Don Bernardo Torrisi and his family. His love for Don Torrisi’s daughter makes the story more emotional and deep.
The characters seem real because the voice acting is great and the dialogue is subtle. You meet friends, enemies, and allies whose loyalties are unclear, which makes the family and criminal ties even more complicated.
The relationships shape the story and often make it hard to choose between loyalty and trust. Even though it has some typical Mafia elements, the game makes them real and emotional.
Sounds and sights: a real Sicilian vibe
The game’s graphics show Sicily in the early 20th century in great detail. The towns, countryside, and interiors all feel real and lived in. Lighting can change the mood, from bright sunlight in the middle of the day to soft lamplight in quiet taverns.
Character models are carefully made, with clothes and facial features that show the time and the person’s personality.
Sound design is very realistic. There are sounds of engines, clopping hooves, church bells in the distance, and busy markets that make the environment come alive.
The music mixes orchestral and traditional Sicilian songs. The music adds to the tension during shootouts and the calm during story moments.
The combination of sound and visuals creates a vivid, believable world for players.
What Mafia: The Old Country Does Well
– **Story-First Design:** The focused story gives you a gripping, personal experience with strong themes of family and honor.
– **Setting the Mood:** Beautiful, historically inspired visuals make for a realistic Sicilian setting.
– **Different Ways to Play:** The mix of stealth, combat, driving, and exploring keeps the game interesting.
– **Strong Characters:** The plot is better because the characters have deep relationships and the dialogue is well-acted.
– Classic Mafia Feel: Goes back to its roots with a linear design, a close-knit story, and a cinematic style.
These things bring back the feel that fans loved about the first Mafia games.
Things that could be better
– Short Length: A lot of players think the game is too short; it only takes about 12 to 15 hours to finish the main story.
– Not enough side content: Compared to modern open-world games, there are not many side missions or places to explore.
– Some Technical Issues: Bugs and performance drops happen from time to time, which makes the experience less enjoyable.
– Limited Freedom: The linear design means fewer options and less replayability.
These problems do not ruin the game, but players who want a big or very replayable experience should keep them in mind.
How it Compares to Other Mafia Games
The Old Country goes back to the classic formula of tight linear storytelling like *Mafia I* and *II*. This is different from *Mafia III*, which had an open world and a modern setting.
The older games put more emphasis on period style, detailed characters, and story weight. *The Old Country* takes this to heart with a rougher, less polished world set in Sicily in the early 1900s.
Fans of the original Mafia games will like this return to a more scripted, theatrical experience instead of the more open worlds that are sometimes less focused.
Final Decision: A Good Prequel
Mafia: The Old Country does not change the series in any big ways, but it is a good, well-made prequel that explains Mafia’s Sicilian roots.
The story, atmosphere, and gameplay all work together to give you the feel of a classic Mafia game. It hits the mark for players who like action with a story, strong character moments, and a historical touch.
Some people might want more content or freedom, but the story and setting are so real that they make the experience unforgettable.
This game is worth checking out if you want to know more about the Mafia’s history or if you just love gangland dramas that are based on real people and places.
