Mafia: The Old Country – Why It’s the Most Anticipated Crime Game of 2025

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The Mafia series, starting with its first game, stands out as an excellent counterpoint and match to Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto, particularly since many tried to replicate the success of Grand Theft Auto 3 after its massive launch in 2001. Instead, Illusion Softworks (later known as 2K Czech) chose to stay true to their vision with Mafia in 2002, presenting a different kind of crime story. Drawing inspiration from classic films like Goodfellas, it centered around the character Tommy Angelo in a fictional city during Prohibition era, where he joined the Salieri family and found himself caught up in a conflict with the Morellos.

23 years have passed since Mafia: The Old Country was first announced, and I can hardly contain my excitement as it’s finally set to release on August 8th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC! It’s amazing how similar the anticipation feels to when Grand Theft Auto 6 was initially teased, with its planned launch in May 2026. In many ways, Hangar 13’s title seems like an underdog in comparison. But that’s fitting, considering it’s not trying to replicate the enormous open world of Mafia 3 or overshadow its crime drama predecessor; instead, The Old Country is returning to the series’ roots.

In essence, we’re referring to a time long past. Players will revisit an old haunt – San Celeste from Mafia 2 – however, they’ll experience it in the 1900s as they delve into the backstory of Enzo Favara. Even though he starts off as an indentured worker, his journey echoes that of other series protagonists – presented with a remarkable chance to join the Torrisi family, thereby shaping his own future. Wealth, recognition, and a lavish lifestyle seem within reach, but so does a life steeped in criminality. Keep in mind, if he wishes to be part of the family, Enzo must be prepared to make sacrifices. At first, he appears willing enough.

Similar to the initial game, what truly distinguishes Mafia: The Old Country is its focus on authenticity over filling the game with numerous side activities or transitory content, trading one in-game environment for another. It offers Sicilian voice acting and Italian translation, and its core gameplay rhythm mirrors the era. The mafia had weapons such as sawed-off shotguns, rifles, and pistols at their disposal, but ammunition wasn’t readily available. Therefore, the protagonist, Enzo, will need to rely on stealth and eliminating enemies, although there may be instances where you find yourself in close-quarters knife fights that are quite intense.

Thinking carefully before spending valuable bullets is one aspect, but altering your tactics in certain scenarios is another. However, the knife becoming a crucial element isn’t just a gameplay feature as Joshua Zammit, associate game director, described in a Developer Insights video; it’s deeply rooted in Sicilian culture. We aim to create an immersive gaming experience with a sense of life-or-death intensity. So, when players engage in knife fights or gunfights, they truly feel their lives are at stake.

Beyond the apprehension, there’s an undeniable thrill associated with this intense, up-close fighting style, where a single blow could prove fatal. This heightens the drama and personal risks even more in a series already teeming with them. In fact, the studio went to great lengths to ensure authenticity, even sourcing knives from a small workshop where a father and son still crafted these weapons by hand, preserving their unique regional styles, much like a fingerprint of their knife-making techniques. This distinctive feature truly transports you into the heart of Sicilian mafia culture in Mafia: The Old Country.

Indeed, in line with modern times, players will find themselves navigating vintage roadsters as well as traversing vast landscapes on horseback within the town of San Celeste. Unlike other game titles, San Celeste isn’t teeming with traffic or bustling crowds, instead offering a more rustic atmosphere that encourages exploration into fields and even horseback firefights. The experience is fast-paced and unpredictable, mimicking real life (while we hope the gameplay remains manageable). The diverse locales offer a departure from the urban settings of past games, creating new gameplay possibilities. Moreover, the authenticity adds to the immersion, making you feel like you’re Enzo Favara, experiencing this familiar city with renewed eyes (though the primary motivation is largely bloodshed).

One significant factor contributing to the popularity of “Mafia: The Old Country” is its gameplay design and cost-effectiveness. Unlike “Mafia 3“, it follows a similar strategy as the first two games, emphasizing a narrative-driven campaign with a linear structure. While this doesn’t mean you’re confined to one specific route – offering highly cinematic cutscenes along the way – there’s also room for exploration off the main path, as described by studio president Nick Baynes. He prefers not to label it an “open world” game because it won’t feature endless side quests and activities (which is a welcome change after “Mafia 3“). Instead, Hangar 13 aims for you to immerse yourself in this story within this world to discover what transpires next, without restricting your freedom completely. What a refreshing idea!

Absolutely, let’s discuss the cost as well. In today’s gaming industry, the high-end AAA games are usually priced between $70 and $80. However, in an unusual move, Mafia: The Old Country is listed at just $50. While there is a Deluxe Edition available for $60 that includes extras like cosmetics, a digital art book, and soundtrack, the core game itself remains at $50. Given that

It’s possible that some may interpret this as a sign of doubt or uncertainty. Perhaps the high price tag reflects 2K’s hesitation about whether fans will be willing to invest, especially considering past disappointments with the franchise. Alternatively, it could indicate that 2K is not completely confident in the product’s overall quality.

As a fan eagerly anticipating “Mafia: The Old Country”, I’m ready to give it a chance considering other top-tier releases this year are also priced similarly. If it delivers an engaging story that justifies my investment, then I consider it a success for me. Given the quality of its presentation and the development team’s focus so far, it seems to be heading towards telling such a captivating tale.

Absolutely, it’s important to note that while nothing is set in stone, there have been criticisms about various aspects such as animations, gunplay, combat, stealth, etc. in the upcoming game, “Mafia: The Old Country”. Without a service like Game Pass to boost visibility, some players might hold off on playing it and wait for larger releases instead. However, if the game manages to meet expectations with an engaging narrative, it could not only be one of the standout games this year but also help rejuvenate the series. Only time will tell, but considering the recent trend of $50 games, let’s hope Hangar 13 can deliver and restore the franchise’s former greatness.

It’s acknowledged that there may be issues with aspects like animations, gunplay, combat, stealth in “Mafia: The Old Country”. Without Game Pass-like services to increase its visibility, some players might prefer waiting for bigger releases. However, if it offers a compelling storyline as expected, the game could become not only one of the best games this year but also revitalize the series. We’ll see in time, but given the pattern of $50 games lately, let’s cross our fingers that Hangar 13 can pull off a successful comeback for the franchise.

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.

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2025-07-09 15:41