Legacy of Shadows: The Old Country Mafia

It’s been nearly a decade since we last saw a new original installment of the Mafia series, one of 2K’s most beloved franchises. Despite having only a few releases, this saga has secured its place among fans as a prime example of crime thrillers centered around the Italian mafia. The new game, Mafia: The Old Country, takes us back to the roots of level design, transporting us to the origins of the criminal empire on the island of Sicily, Italy.

The storyline intricately weaves crime, betrayal, and honor into an epic tale that is both heartwarming and tragic. But does every aspect of the game shine equally bright? Let me share my experience with the game.

A Thriller that Hits All the Right Notes

The setting of Mafia: The Old Country is truly captivating. We are taken to early 20th century Sicily, where we follow the life of Enzo, from his humble beginnings as a sulfur mine worker to his rise within the ranks of the Cosa Nostra, specifically under the Torrisi family. The game meets the expectations of a crime thriller, reminiscent of the best Italian mafia movies. Themes of honor, responsibility, and devotion to family are prominently featured, and the intertwining of religious motifs within the narrative enriches the portrayal of daily life during that era. For instance, Enzo carries a customizable rosary that bestows various benefits.

The cast of characters truly shines. Enzo, reserved yet resolute, is a lovable protagonist whose struggle and ascent are convincingly portrayed. His loyalty to the family transcends mere membership; it involves honoring and respecting the Don. Supporting characters greatly enhance the storyline, including Luca, the second-in-command; Cesare, Enzo’s inseparable friend; Tino, a constant source of frustration; and Isabella, Enzo’s forbidden love.

We naturally opted for the Italian dubbing, specifically the Sicilian dialect. It feels like the only authentic way to experience the story, as the English dubbing felt inadequate, with voice actors attempting to mimic Italian accents, including idioms and curses, without much success.

The game is enriched with an original soundtrack that reimagines traditional Sicilian melodies from the era. These compositions capture the cultural essence of the period, intensifying the dramatic themes in the story and immersing the player in the narrative. The musical accompaniment is undoubtedly a standout feature. It adds an additional layer of depth, enhancing the authenticity of the virtual world presented.

We were also impressed by the game’s script. It offers players the chance to take control of situations, allowing them to refuse certain actions or fail at completing certain objectives. We appreciate this level of agency, as it takes us beyond mere observation and gives us some control over the game world.

All in all, we believe the strongest point of Mafia: The Old Country is the blend of setting, story, and characters. It’s an unmissable crime thriller that stands out in the Italian mafia genre. While few games offer a similar experience, it’s worth mentioning some flaws.

The Dark Side of the Game

One aspect that stands out negatively in Mafia: The Old Country is the perceived production value. At $50 USD, one might expect some shortcomings, and indeed, there’s a lack of polish in several areas. For instance, animations feel stiff and unnatural throughout the game.

Additionally, the gameplay system has its deficiencies. While it offers a decent variety of activities like car races, horse competitions, and knife duels, the two main gameplay mechanics are fairly basic. Firearm combat boils down to seeking cover and shooting enemies in the head, while stealth resembles a mini-game where it feels like enemies are eager to be subdued.

These gameplay systems seem to exist only to advance the narrative, which is the game’s true heart. Generally, mandatory stealth sections can be frustrating when the system is basic, but here, they’re neither lengthy nor intrusive. Despite their simplicity, they serve their purpose within the story, which we consider the game’s highlight.

A Beautiful yet Unreachable World

We want to address this carefully: the game follows a linear structure, much like its predecessors. This means the narrative is the core of the experience, with time jumps or location changes occurring without prior notice. We appreciate this approach, as not all games need to be massive open worlds filled with secondary quests that artificially extend gameplay time. In that sense, we appreciate Mafia III for teaching us what can happen with slow and tedious progression design.

For those curious about the Sicilian region, just like its predecessors, Mafia: The Old Country includes a free exploration mode where you can wander through the beauty of the locale. This feature is accessible from the chapter selection menu and is handy for collecting the artifacts scattered around the map. Thankfully, there’s no need to search every inch of the scenery, as collectibles are marked on the map; you just need to go find them.

Once again, we want to emphasize that this linear design is intentional and, in our opinion, a success for the game. Not every video game needs to be a vast open world filled with monotonous and repetitive activities. However, our curiosity led us to wish to explore beyond the bounds set by the missions because the game world is captivating and visually stunning, much like the Sicilian region itself. We believe it’s the beauty and detail of this virtual environment that invites players to discover every corner.

Love, Honor, and Crime: An Unforgettable Journey in the Old Country

It is crucial to understand what Mafia: The Old Country has to offer: a gripping crime thriller from the outset, a touching love story that resonates with the heart, and a tale of honor as old as time itself.

The standout elements are its cinematic production values, making the experience feel like an enthralling film in which you can become fully immersed. If innovation in gameplay mechanics or groundbreaking mission designs is what you’re after, you might want to look elsewhere.

However, if you’re drawn to a narrative about Italian mobsters with memorable characters and situations filled with deep dramatic impact, then Mafia: The Old Country is the game you’ve been waiting for. Additionally, the price is more than fair. Highly recommended.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The original publication was modified to highlight the existence of exploration mode; this change does not affect the game’s final evaluation. We apologize for this oversight.