Mafia: The Old Country Review (PS5) – Take-Two Interactive and Hanger 13‘s Mafia franchise has been dormant since the release of Mafia III in 2016. In that time, we caught word of a cancelled superhero project, but since then, Hanger 13 has opted to return to their roots, not just in terms of Mafia as a franchise, but how that series typically functions.
Whether returning to their roots in terms of gameplay functionality and narrative approach was correct or not, is a whole other question entirely, so let’s dive into that.
Mafia: The Old Country Review (PS5) – Sometimes The Old Ways Are Best
Take Us Home
While Mafia: The Old Country is the fourth entry in the franchise, it is a prequel that takes place in the fictional town of San Celeste in Sicily in the 1900’s, beginning 1904. Already, this sets the stage for something quite different than what we’re use to, as the series usually takes place in the USA, however, San Celeste did feature in Mafia II.
Sicily is very much the heart of this game, and despite a cast of interesting if somewhat predictable characters, it is the location itself that stands out, in no small part due to graphical quality in the environmental design. Sicily makes for a beautiful backdrop, and a sense of place is keenly felt throughout its rather lean runtime of 10-13 hours.
Even though the game offers little chance during its short campaign to breakaway from the critical path, I took every opportunity I could to really take in the surroundings and enjoy the view. Hanger 13 did a stellar job of creating such a beautiful location, with a limited map size, which in fact, actually played to its strengths.
Whether down by the docks, horseback riding through the forest, walking the vineyards, or escaping the sulfur mines, the environment just pops. There’s a distinct clarity to many of the textures and assets that is just downright impressive; I challenge anyone to find more realistic looking fruit in a video game. It is in this impressive eye for detail that really brings the fictional San Celeste to life.
The character models are equally up to the task. All of which look detailed, with defining features and mannerisms, which is in no small part thanks to excellent talent who brought these characters to life. Shoutout to the fashion choices for Enzo, which is probably where I spent most of my in-game currency. A made man has to look the part after all.
Old School
Mafia: The Old Country is a narrative focused, action-adventure game. The mechanics do feel a bit limited than what we might be use to in 2025. However, I am of the opinion that not every game needs every mechanic, and if it plays well with its core components, then it has succeeded, and I feel this is the case with Mafia: The Old Country.
Driving around feels better than it ever has in any Mafia game before it. It feels especially good with the higher end vehicles that will become available to you later in the game. Although, it never feels clunky, and you can even increase the settings to make driving feel more like a simulation of that era, which is a really neat touch.
Horseback riding is similar in that it feels equally as smooth. At times you will get the choice to drive or ride your horse, and you would think that would be an easy choice, but I enjoyed how it felt to control both, so I alternated when I had the opportunity.
The core gameplay is of course; the combat. Oftentimes, you will be taking part in what is essentially a cover based shooter, with a gallery of mafiosos to gun down, with a small choice of weaponry ranging from shotguns, to rifles, to pistols, and it all feels good. Decent perhaps, but more than good enough.
Sometimes I do wish the shotgun packed more of a punch, but this is a minor complaint, as it all feels responsive and smooth. A far bigger crime would be the action feeling a touch repetitive, but Mafia: The Old Country is simply too short for that to ever be a legitimate problem.
Beyond that, there is also a stealth portion to this game, and I am truly a sucker for stealth in any game. I love conveniently placed scaffolding around the side of a building, moving between readable cover, and predictable NPC routes so I can routinely dispatch of them.
During the story you will have more than a few cinematic knife duels with various opponents, which, while are very dramatic and fun to take part in. There are just a few too many, making them feel more forced than earned, which can sometimes make them feel out of place.
It is mostly in how the game is played that it feels like it is from a different era. Mafia: The Old Country, with its smaller scope, and more focused application, is really quite refreshing, and I would love to see more studios take a similar approach. These mechanics lack depth, but they’re executed well enough to serve the broader purpose, that is the game’s narrative.
An Offer You Can’t Refuse
Mafia: The Old Country has all the makings of your typical Italian crime drama. It has passion, betrayal, romance, and violence. If you’ve seen enough epic crime films, then you know what you’re in for. The story isn’t exactly unpredictable, save for a moment or two, but it certainly hooked me in, and had me care about this cast of characters.
You will play as Enzo Favara, as he makes his way out of the Sicilian sulfur mines and into Don Bernardo Torrisi’s crime family. There really isn’t a weak point when it comes to the cast, where all of which are very well written, acted, and thus realized, but it is hard not to say Don Bernardo Torrisi himself doesn’t steal most scenes he is in.
The campaign is a mere 15 chapters long, and you will fly through them, and while you can explore the land before you at times, it never really feels like there’s an opportunity to breakaway from the main story.
My other issue is that while there’s a superb sense of time and place, they don’t really capture the feeling of time advancing, beyond outright telling you before a chapter, and hair growth for the main character. I wanted just a little more in that regard.
Mafia: The Old Ways is highly cinematic, and there are some real standouts with some truly swashbuckling set pieces. The chapter that really comes to mind is chapter 10, Le Festa, which features a high stakes chase sequence, that wouldn’t be out of place in an Uncharted game. It’s very cinematic and incredibly fun, which is more or less how I would describe this game as a whole.
There is very little in terms of replay value, and anything in the way of a post game beyond rounding up some collectibles, but that isn’t really the point of Mafia: The Old Country. It’s focused on delivering a cinematic narrative, that you can enjoy over a weekend and move on, and it was exactly what I wanted it to be.
It really feels like a game from another time, a simpler one perhaps. It doesn’t want to keep you forever, and that alone is certainly refreshing. Hanger 13 is offering to tell you a classic, albeit predictable, but thoroughly enjoyable mob story, with engaging characters, basking in its beautiful setting, and given its price point, I think it’s an offer you can’t refuse.
Mafia: The Old Country s available right now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Review code kindly provided by publisher.