Mafia: The Old Country – 3 Things We Love, 3 Things We’re Skeptical About

The long-awaited addition to the Mafia series is nearly here, scheduled for August 8^th, with the release of Mafia: The Old Country. Since the debut of Mafia 3, the original studio at 2K has merged into Hanger 13 to develop a prequel set in Sicily. The team aspires for The Old Country to mirror some of the success and appeal that was seen in Mafia 1 and Mafia 2. However, based on a recent nine-minute gameplay video, there seem to be a few kinks that need smoothing out before its release. Here are three aspects we’re excited to witness in action, as well as three concerns regarding the upcoming mobster game from 2K and Hanger 13.

Things We Like

Linear Focus

Our latest article discussed the negative impact that overly expansive game worlds have had on certain titles. Notably, Mafia 3 found itself among these games, for valid reasons. The game was plagued with tedious tasks and repetitive missions which left players feeling unengaged, overshadowing the intriguing atmosphere and story that it had to offer. It’s rare for developers to actively address player feedback, but given the poor sales of Mafia 3 and the vocal discontent from gamers, there was no other option than to trim the excess – a necessary move to improve the gameplay experience.

The Hanger 13 development team has confirmed through the Mafia website Q&A that The Old Country won’t be completely confined in its exploration. Instead, it will feature open yet compact areas with a clear main storyline but also some side paths to discover. Although we haven’t fully understood the game’s explorability, the developers describing its linear structure reminds us of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which is an exciting prospect.

Authentic Realism

Indiana Jones serves as a fitting comparison for something about Hanger 13’s new game that we find captivating – its authenticity. Just like Indiana Jones transports us back to the period drama era, Hanger 13 is incorporating historically accurate vehicles from early 20th-century Europe into their adventure, although it remains uncertain if any real-life licensed vehicles will be featured. One vehicle we know by name is the “Garzia Tumulto,” which while fictional, bears a strong resemblance to an early 1900s Darracq. Upon closer inspection of all Darracq models, it’s evident that the “Garzia Tumulto” is almost an exact copy with some minor modifications to the rear carriage. This level of detail also applies to the Sicilian architecture within the game.

In the nine-minute gameplay trailer, we’re treated to a peek at some intricately designed settings. What truly captivates me, though, are the countless unique items adorning the indoor spaces. Familial portraits embellish kitchens and rustic structures, while handcrafted teacups and an assortment of antiques fill the wooden shelves. Fans of Hitman will find themselves drawn in by the meticulous attention to detail, a trait reminiscent of the original games. We can’t help but get excited at the prospect of delving deeper into Hanger 13’s interpretation of Sicily when the game is finally released.

Story and Characters

In a similar vein, it’s clear that the game’s authenticity extends to its storyline as well. I’m intrigued about how many references to the iconic film, Goodfellas, we might encounter given the mob-themed context of the game. It wouldn’t be surprising if a character requested cannoli at some point. Since the narrative closely mirrors classic mob stories, there could be elements that seem familiar or better told elsewhere. However, with Enzo’s personal journey being highlighted, there’s immense potential for remarkable character development and emotional depth. After all, crime-focused stories are frequently used in cinema and media due to their ability to create unexpected plot twists, betrayals, complex relationships, and moral dilemmas that resonate with audiences. Here’s to hoping 2K can live up to the high standards set by this well-regarded genre of storytelling.

Things We’re Concerned About

Enemy AI

As a gamer, I was initially blown away by the potential of this game with its captivating storyline and immersive setting. However, as soon as the gameplay started, it felt like something was amiss. The enemy AI seems to be lacking depth, to put it mildly. Enemies appear to lack basic tactical awareness, similar to stormtroopers in Star Wars, completely oblivious to shots being fired at them from point-blank range or the disadvantage of an open field. This is reminiscent of the poor AI encountered in games like Mafia 3 and Mafia Definitive. Hanger 13 hasn’t yet earned my trust in this regard, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a surprise.

The icing on the cake is the unfinished animations that are quite noticeable in the nine-minute gameplay footage. For instance, when enemies are grenaded, they leap forward in an awkward, almost comical manner. This is the footage the publisher isn’t shy about showcasing. On a positive note, Enzo’s reloading animations look smooth, but enemies often skip frames or linger too long during idle moments. I remain hopeful that the team will add more animation frames to NPCs and improve enemy AI awareness before the game’s release.

Gunplay

It seems to me that the gun sounds in this new Mafia Definitive edition aren’t as powerful as they were before. In the trailer, Enzo selects a hunting shotgun before starting his infiltration mission, and while the recoil feels realistic, the impact of the noise is missing. The sound seems dulled or muffled somehow. The pistol has more of an audible presence with its chamber click, but other guns seem overly sanitized.

I also find the red blood splashes on the screen every time Enzo gets hit to be distracting. I understand why they’re there, but they block my view and shift the color palette, which negatively affects my gaming experience.

Lastly, there are concerns about the AI of the enemies. While it’s good that they take cover sometimes, they also pop out and follow Enzo in the open at random moments, acting like unrealistic targets instead of intelligent adversaries. I hope the game will be challenging without being overly easy, like shooting at inflated health target dummies. On a positive note, enemies do hide behind cover occasionally, but they need to behave more realistically when they come out into the open.

Stealth

As a stealthy gamer, I’m all about the art of silence and subtlety in my gaming experience. In the world I’m currently immersed in, they’re really emphasizing the importance of stealth above other gameplay aspects. My go-to tool for sneaky situations is an old faithful set of knives – from silently picking locks to taking down enemies up close or using them as distractions. There are even moments where you can use coins to distract opponents, just like in Hitman.

However, it’s not just about the tools and mechanics that make a good stealth game for me. The AI intelligence and level design play a crucial role. I still remember the disappointing stealth sequences from Mafia 3, where there were no smart enemies to avoid, making it unsatisfying. In the recent 9-minute gameplay footage, I couldn’t help but notice some similar issues – like walking up to a man and stabbing him face-to-face without any reaction. Granted, it was dark, but I can’t shake off the feeling that this NPC wouldn’t have reacted differently even in daylight conditions. It leaves me questioning whether the enemy AI will be able to provide the challenge I crave for a satisfying stealth experience.

From what we’ve glimpsed so far, Mafia: The Old Country seems to be an improvement over Hanger 13’s recent games, but I’m holding back on a final verdict until more levels and missions are revealed. Mafia The Old Country is set to launch on August 8^th, and it appears significantly enhanced compared to Mafia 3. The game stands out particularly in its world design and the more concentrated narrative, which serves as a prequel to the entire trilogy. Fingers crossed that Enzo’s adventure is as enjoyable as it is cinematically gripping.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

2025-07-17 21:14