Mafia: The Old Country Review – Sharp Combat, Weak Story, Stunning World

The Mafia Series Returns to Its Sicilian Origins

Mafia: The Old Country takes the long-running franchise back to where it all began — the heart of 1900s Sicily. Developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K, this latest entry reimagines the roots of organized crime through the eyes of Enzo Favara, a desperate young man trying to earn his place in the Torrisi crime family.

Released in August 2025, the game has had over a month to settle in with players — and the reception has been decidedly mixed. While many praise its atmosphere, visuals, and performances, others find the storytelling and pacing a step backward for the series.

A Gritty Look at the Birth of the Mafia

Set against the harsh backdrop of early 20th-century Sicily, Mafia: The Old Country dives deep into a world ruled by loyalty, betrayal, and bloodshed. Enzo’s journey — from a laborer seeking freedom to a man bound by the Mafia’s code — is the emotional core of the narrative.

The game’s tone feels closer to the original Mafia than any entry since, offering grounded drama and heavy moral choices. Its cinematic direction and authentic set design make the experience feel like a historical epic, complete with period-accurate clothing, architecture, and weaponry.

Yet, despite its strong foundation, the story falters in originality. Players frequently describe it as predictable, echoing familiar Mafia tropes. References to past entries add nostalgia but rarely surprise. It’s a story you can see coming from miles away — competent, emotional at times, but never truly gripping.

Combat That Feels Brutal and Satisfying

If the story stumbles, the combat is where Mafia: The Old Country regains its footing. The blend of close-quarters knife duels and classic third-person gunfights captures the raw brutality of the era.

Players can choose between stealthy assassinations, quick stiletto takedowns, or intense firefights using period-authentic firearms like the lupara shotgun and early revolvers. Every fight feels weighty and personal, even if the mechanics can be rough around the edges.

That said, repetition quickly sets in. Knife fights appear in almost every chapter, and while they’re stylish at first, they start to drag the pacing down. Some missions force linear stealth sequences that feel more restrictive than engaging. It’s cinematic, yes — but sometimes at the cost of fun.

A Sicily Worth Exploring

Where Mafia: The Old Country truly excels is in its world-building. Hangar 13’s recreation of Sicily’s diverse landscapes — from crumbling ruins and underground crypts to bustling towns and open countryside — is nothing short of breathtaking.

The attention to environmental detail is remarkable. Whether riding horseback through vineyards or navigating narrow cobblestone alleys in an early motorcar, the game captures a tangible sense of time and place. The lighting, architecture, and weather effects contribute to one of the most immersive settings the series has ever produced.

Players universally praise the visual fidelity and atmosphere, with many calling it the most beautiful Mafia game to date. Even critics who disliked the story agree that the world design is exceptional.

Sound Design and Voice Acting

The sound work in Mafia: The Old Country stands among the best in modern narrative games. Every element — from the somber orchestral score to the distinct regional accents — adds authenticity.

Voice performances bring real gravitas to the characters, particularly Enzo, Don Torrisi, and supporting cast members Luca and Isabella. The music transitions seamlessly between tension and melancholy, amplifying emotional moments without overdoing it.

In short: the game sounds as good as it looks.

Performance and Technical Notes

Built on Unreal Engine 5, Mafia: The Old Country pushes impressive visuals but comes at a heavy performance cost. Players report frequent FPS drops, especially in open areas and during cinematics. Early patches have improved optimization, though stutters and occasional crashes remain.

Mafia: The Old Country System Requirements

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti / AMD RX 5600 XT
• Storage: 70 GB SSD

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
• RAM: 32 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 / AMD RX 7900 XT
• Storage: 70 GB SSD

The game runs best on high-end systems or next-gen consoles like PlayStation 5, while PS4 players may encounter longer load times and occasional frame dips.

Mixed Reception from Players

Over a month after launch, Mafia: The Old Country holds Mixed recent reviews and Mostly Positive overall on Steam.

What Players Liked:

• Gorgeous visuals and authentic atmosphere
• Powerful soundtrack and top-tier voice acting
• Engaging combat and cinematic presentation

What Players Criticized:

• Predictable, cliché-heavy story
• Overused knife duels and repetitive missions
• Noticeable performance issues
• Short playtime for the price ($49.99 USD)

Some of the exact feedbacks of players:

“It’s not a bad game — just a decent one. You play it once, enjoy the world, then move on.”

8/10, VERY good story, amazing graphics & I actually like the gun play etc. It has a few issues & bug, which I am sure they will fix. Other than that, really enjoyed it. Certainly, better than the Mafia 3 for me.

Story was good, but too short. I was able to complete the game w/ 60% of achievements in less than a day. Even with my 19 hours "played" alot of that was in pause mode doing chores around the house. This game is not worth $50.

+ Graphic are nice
+ Story was ok.
- The game feels utterly empty,
- Gunplay is boring.
- Choice of weapons is very limited.
- No Idea why they even let you buy cars and horses.
- Some mechanics are introduced and never used again.
- Zero replayability.

Final Thoughts

Mafia: The Old Country is a game of contradictions — visually stunning but narratively safe, emotionally rich but mechanically uneven. It’s a return to the series’ storytelling roots, but one that sometimes feels trapped by its own nostalgia.

For long-time fans, it’s a welcome trip back to the world of honor, blood, and betrayal that made Mafia iconic. For newcomers, it’s a beautiful yet flawed introduction to the saga.

Verdict: 7.5/10 – Sharp combat and breathtaking visuals carry this otherwise familiar crime drama.