Fans of the Mafia series have been waiting for a long time for the next installment, and Mafia: The Old Country is finally on the horizon.
Set in early 20th-century Sicily, the game promises a return to the franchise’s roots with a focus on a narrative-driven experience rather than an open-world sandbox like Grand Theft Auto (GTA).
Unlike GTA, where chaos and breaking the rules are encouraged, Mafia has always been about following the law – or at least pretending to. In Mafia: The Old Country, players will have to obey traffic laws, or risk getting fined.
While GTA allows players to go wild, Mafia makes it a challenge to drive responsibly. In fact, the game will feature old-fashioned cars that are so slow they might feel like they’re going backward, adding a unique touch to the experience.
The game takes place in the early 1900s, the birthplace of the Cosa Nostra crime family. Players will be part of this world, but the focus is on the story, not on roaming a massive open world.
Mafia has always been known for its linear storytelling, and The Old Country will continue this tradition. It will not let you jump across the map or fly around on a murder-bike. Instead, it will offer a more structured, immersive experience.
The Old Country will also feature the slow-paced vehicles and limited resources that give players a sense of being in a different time. The game’s mechanical design encourages players to take their time and plan their actions carefully, rather than rushing through the world.
The developers are aiming for a game that feels lived-in, with systems that challenge players to think about their actions, such as obeying traffic laws and using melee weapons.
The Old Country will be released in 2025 for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X. Fans of the Mafia series are excited to see the return to its roots and to experience a more focused, narrative-driven game.
