Is Mafia: The Old Country Worth The Hype In 2025

Set in the picturesque Sicilian countryside, Mafia: The Old Country serves up an atmospheric tale of betrayal, vengeance, and familial loyalty. You’ll step into the leather boots of Enzo Favara, a mafioso rising through the ranks of the Sicilian underworld. Does it sound like your typical bullet-ridden power fantasy? Sure. But this entry swaps the sprawling open-world component of its predecessors for a more focused, chapter-based structure.

Translation? Don’t expect to steal limos between missions or paint the town blood-red in a sandbox fashion. It’s more “movie mob drama” than a Sicilian Grand Theft Auto, but not everyone has been clinking glasses to that design choice.

Why Mafia Fans Will Love It

Authenticity drips from every corner of The Old Country. From narrow cobblestone streets bustling with NPCs to the haunting operatic score, everything screams, “This is a Hangar 13 joint!” But what really shines is the dedication to bringing the Sicilian flavor front and center. You’ll infiltrate enemy turf hidden in hillside ruins, negotiate deals in musty wine cellars, and, yes, walk past carts loaded with suspiciously lifelike lemons.

The game thrives in its cinematic moments. Some of the set pieces rival iconic mob films, earning Hangar 13 some much-needed forgiveness for stripping out an open-world environment. And when you roll up to a mission in one of those vintage hot rods, Enzo saying “Va bene” under his breath? Goosebumps.

What Went Wrong

Hangar 13 has leaned hard into the “story first” philosophy this time around. Admirable? Yes. Flawless? Absolutely not. For starters, Mafia: The Old Country clocks in at around 14 hours. That’s borderline scandalous in 2025, the year when AAA RPGs with 300-hour campaigns are the bare minimum. Efficiency is great… unless it feels like you’re speed-running an Oscar-bait script.

The decision to omit an open-world doesn’t just shorten the game’s runtime; it feels restrictive. All the lovingly crafted side alleys lined with sun-bleached laundry feel like a tease when you’re whisked back to linear mission paths after a cutscene.

And then there’s the replay value. Spoiler alert: There isn’t much. Yes, free explore mode exists, but unless you’re vying to uncover all the Easter eggs (lemon-laden crates, I’m looking at you), there’s not a lot to lure you back.

Key Features

A Gritty Chapter Structure

Forget sprawling maps; this installment keeps it tight. You’ll experience the rise and fall of Enzo over 15 sharply focused chapters, each saturated with mafia melodrama. But like a strong shot of fernet, some players might find it overly bittersweet.

Stripped-Down Gameplay

The Old Country offers fewer distractions, concentrating on snappy dialogue and thrilling mission design. Unfortunately, once you’ve completed the final story beat, you might find yourself wondering, “Wait, that’s it?”

Environments to Die For

Hangar 13 ups the technical ante here with jaw-dropping landscapes. Whether you’re gunning down rivals in citrus groves or sneaking through dimly lit villages, the game is a visual feast. Too bad you can’t explore it all at your leisure.

Things You Should Know Before Picking Up the Controller

1. It’s Not Open World. If you’re here expecting the freedom of Mafia II or Mafia III, turn back. This is a lean, cinematic game tightly bound to its script.

2. It’s Dividing Fans. Despite positive reviews praising the story, some players feel the game’s stripped-back approach robs Mafia of its soul. Prepare for wildly differing opinions.

3. Short Playtime. With a runtime of ~14 hours, this crime drama won’t steal too much of your life. If you blitz through missions, you might even wrap it up in closer to 10 hours. Cue angry keyboard warriors voicing outrage.

The Verdict

Mafia: The Old Country is… complicated. On one hand, it’s brimming with character, atmosphere, and pure noir-style swagger. On the other, it feels like Hangar 13 accidentally made a movie and pressed the “game” button toward the end. If you go in expecting a sweeping epic in the style of Mafia II or something with ridiculous freedom like Red Dead Redemption 2, you’re ordering pasta and expecting steak.

But if you’re here for compact, satisfying storytelling with cinematic flair? Pour yourself a glass of Chianti and enjoy. Probably not the crowning jewel of the Mafia series, but definitely not a black sheep either. Mafia fans, tread carefully… but there’s joy to be found here.

Rating

7.5/10