Hangar 13 proved its respect for the series’ legacy with Mafia Definitive Edition in 2020. This time, it’s not just polishing a legacy; it’s taking on the ambitious task of telling its cornerstone: the origin story of the Sicilian Mafia. This time, it’s the early 1900s. Long before the spectacular rise of organized crime in America, we’re on an island ruled by poverty, injustice, and feudalism. This choice instantly distinguishes the game from other entries in the series and elevates its narrative potential. Unlike the American Mafia, often romanticized by popular culture, The Old Country gets to the heart of the matter.

We’re going to Sicily with Mafia The Old Country

Sicily, where the game takes place, is a land often caricatured by video games, its potential squandered. However, to overcome this heavy burden, the development team made a clever move, collaborating with Stormind Games, the Italian studio known for titles like Remothered. The fruits of this partnership are evident in every frame of the game.

Mafia: The Old Country may offer the most authentic and soulful portrayal of Sicily I’ve ever seen in a game. This isn’t just a visual achievement. From the stone houses under the scorching sun to the paths shaded by olive trees, from the claustrophobic tunnels of the sulfur mines to the imposing silhouette of Mount Etna, every detail has been meticulously crafted to capture the spirit of the era. The visuals, the dialect, and the music—these three elements elevate the game’s atmosphere. I highly recommend playing the game with the original Sicilian voiceover. Every word from the characters’ lips carries the weight and reality of the story onto your shoulders. It’s not just playing a game; it’s like stepping into a film from that era.

The Path of Fate: The Strength and Weakness of the Linear Narrative

Fans of the series may have had some expectations, especially after the expansive open world of Mafia III. Hangar 13 pushes these expectations aside and makes a radical decision. Mafia The Old Country is an almost entirely linear experience. It progresses from mission to mission, scene to scene, prioritizing cinematic narrative above all else.

Is this a drawback? It depends on your intentions. If you’re expecting an open world where you can roam freely through the Sicilian countryside and discover the secrets of small towns, you’ll be disappointed. The fact that this world the developers have created is closed to exploration has left me with a certain regret. However, on the other side of the coin, this linear design gives the storytelling an incredible focus and pace. The game never leaves you stranded; it never lets the fate of our hero, Enzo Favara, derail. This is actually a thematic choice: Enzo is a prisoner of his circumstances, and as the player, we accompany him on this inevitable journey. This isn’t a playground; it’s a line of fate.

Gameplay Mechanics

Missions offer a blend of stealth and combat. In most scenarios, you have the option of silently picking off enemies one by one or taking up arms and wreaking havoc. Stealth works through a simple mini-game triggered by sneaking behind an enemy: you neutralize them by pressing the right button at the right time. Crates are plentiful throughout the area to hide corpses. However, one odd detail I noticed here seems like a small blemish on the game’s polish: each crate holds a maximum of three corpses and magically empties each time. This small inconsequence detracts from the overall meticulousness of the game.

When stealth fails, the smell of gunpowder permeates the air. An arsenal of period-appropriate pistols, shotguns, and long-barreled weapons awaits you. The cover-based combat mechanics are solid and satisfying. While the enemy AI can be a bit blunt during stealth, it’s surprisingly proactive once combat begins, advancing on you, attempting to flank you, and forcing you out of cover.

Unfortunately, the game’s biggest mechanical disappointment is the lack of transition from stealth to melee combat. If an enemy you’re sneaking up on spots you at the last minute, you can’t engage in a hand-to-hand fight. You have to switch weapons immediately. This lack of clarity feels particularly lacking in capturing the spirit of mafia clashes, which should be quick, brutal, and chaotic.

However, the game attempts to compensate for this shortcoming with cinematic knife duels. In these one-on-one encounters with key characters, the camera is fixed like in a fighting game, resulting in well-choreographed, tense moments. These duels, in which you attempt to break your opponent’s resistance with parries, counterattacks, and evasions, constitute some of the game’s most memorable moments.

The Story of Enzo Favara

All these mechanics serve a single purpose: to tell the tragic story of Enzo Favara. A young orphan working practically as a slave in the sulfur mines, Enzo rebels against his fate after the tragic death of his friend, escapes, and crosses paths with the local Don Bernardo Torrisi. Starting at the bottom of the ladder in this new “family,” he begins his climb through the ranks with courage and loyalty.

The story draws on genre clichés: the bloody rise and inevitable downfall of a talented young man. Don’t expect any major surprises or plot twists. However, The Old Country’s success lies not in what it tells, but in how it tells it. The story is presented with exceptional craftsmanship, especially in the cinematic cutscenes. The facial animations, voice-overs, and direction keep you glued to your seat. The characters, while some are stereotypical, are so well-written and animated that they linger in your mind even after nearly 12 hours of gameplay.

How is the technical performance?

Developed with Unreal Engine 5, the game delivers stunning performance, particularly in environmental detail and lighting. As a benefit of its linear structure, technical issues and stuttering are minimal. While the PC version lacks ray tracing, all modern technologies like DLSS, FSR, and XeSS are present. The modest VRAM usage, even at 4K resolution at maximum settings, is proof of the game’s well-optimized gameplay. We achieved 80 FPS and above on Epic settings at 4K resolution with DLSS quality mode and frame rendering enabled on an RTX 4070 Ti graphics card.

And finally, the music. The magnificent soundtrack complements the game’s spirit, allowing you to feel the atmosphere in your bones. From traditional Sicilian melodies to escalating orchestral pieces, every note carries the emotional weight of the story being told.

Review

Mafia: The Old Country isn’t for everyone. Those seeking the freedom of an open world and the variety of side quests might be disappointed. However, for those seeking a cinematic and powerful narrative experience, fully committed to the story, it’s one of the most unforgettable productions of recent years. The game’s linear structure, which might be considered its biggest “flaw,” is actually its greatest thematic strength.

Hangar 13 doesn’t offer a world to explore, but a destiny to witness. Mafia: The Old Country is like a playable Godfather movie, an interactive Cosa Nostra documentary. Considering the price tag, I highly recommend anyone interested in mafia narratives embark on this bloody and honorable journey. It’s a tribute to the series’ past and a promising start to its future.

Pros

• Atmosphere and Authenticity: One of the most soulful and detailed depictions of Sicily ever seen in a game.
• Exceptional Narrative and Characters: Despite its clichéd backdrop, the story draws you in with its presentation, voice acting, and pacing.
• Cinematic Presentation: The cutscenes and knife duels, in particular, are of a film-like quality.
• Linear Structure Strengthens Storytelling: It provides a focused and fast-paced experience, keeping the player engaged in the story.

Music: A truly magnificent soundtrack complements the game’s atmosphere.

Cons

• No Exploration and Side Activities: The world is largely a mere setting.
• Lackluster Gameplay Mechanics: Some unpolished points, such as the lack of a smooth transition from stealth to melee combat.
• Uninnovative Mission Structure: The gameplay loop can become repetitive after a while.