Blood is thicker than wine in Sicily
By Paul Hunter
Hangar 13 is back with Mafia: The Old Country, working alongside Stormind Games and publisher 2K. This time, the series leaves behind its usual American cities for a Sicilian prequel set in the early 1900s. Right away, it feels like a fresh and exciting take on the Mafia series.
The campaign is compact and direct, built around a chapter-driven structure that runs 10-15 hours. While there is technically a massive open-world map, the game keeps you locked into its linear story missions. That design choice makes the pace brisk and easy to stick with.
What really shines is the way Sicily comes alive. From the architecture and countryside to the voice talent and soundtrack, the game nails its period feel. Technical polish on PS5 keeps everything running smoothly, which lets you focus on the mob drama at hand.
So here’s the real question: does Mafia: The Old Country prove that a smaller, sharper Mafia story was the right move? Let’s find out!
The story of Mafia: The Old Country focuses on Enzo Favara, a young man of the sulphur mines, a life shaped by hard labour and loss. When he flees that world, his path leads straight to Don Bernardo Torrisi’s household, where skill and loyalty determine your standing within the family.
It just so happens that owner of the sulphur mines is the Spadaro clan, whose long-standing feud fuels much of the game's tension. The story is all about Enzo's steady path upward in the Torrisi family, where respect must be earned and trust is never given lightly. Each encounter with the Spadaros reminds you of the stakes, not only for Enzo's survival but also his standing within the family.
Small, quiet scenes are where the writing often shines. Conversations with Luca, Enzo’s trusted confidant within the Torrisi family, can leave a stronger mark than the gunfights, grounding the story in friendship and loyalty. The volatility of the Don's nephew Cesare and the love angle with Isabella, the Don’s daughter, give the plot both heat and human stakes. Those private hours let you really connect with the characters.
Big moments are spread throughout the campaign, breaking up the quieter stretches with bursts of cinematic action. Knife duels stand out as tense one-on-one clashes, serving the story more than just gameplay mechanics. Some of the strongest writing and direction comes through in cutscenes, where performances land and motives feel believable.
The plot follows a familiar arc, so big surprises are rare, but the pacing keeps things moving without wasted moments. What sticks with you isn’t the twists, but the characters themselves, who stay with you long after the credits. In the end, the story works because it leans on strong character moments and steady pacing rather than sudden shocks.
The game’s mechanics mirror its story-first design: tight, purposeful and clear. Levels funnel you through set objectives, with stealth and scripted action doing much of the work. That keeps the pace moving and avoids filler.
Stealth gets good attention here. You can distract guards with coins or bottles, slip behind them for a takedown, and hide bodies in trunks. I tried a slow, careful approach in a village section and the methodical pace felt rewarding. There’s a weird trunk quirk where stored bodies sometimes vanish, but presumably that'll get patched out eventually. The stealth tools are straightforward and do their job.
Combat revolves around cover and smart movement. The era’s weapons all feel different—pistols for close work, rifles at range, shotguns for close bursts—though I sometimes wanted the shotgun to hit a bit harder. Enemies will flank and pressure you, which keeps you on your toes. I had a tense hillside fight where I clung to a low wall, timed my move, and got a win that felt earned rather than lucky.
Knife duels show up at key moments and play out like short boss encounters. They use parries, dodges and timed strikes, and knives can carry perks like health recovery after a takedown. They’re cinematic and dramatic, though they do happen a few times too many. Outside the fights you can ride horses or drive period cars—both control well—and collect rosaries, saint’s cards and other keepsakes for small bonuses. Progression is light, mostly modest trinkets that tweak stats.
Overall, the gameplay is concise and packs a punch. It won’t overwhelm you with systems, but it delivers steady, satisfying moments that support the narrative and give real weight to the story beats.
The game’s visuals put Sicily front and centre. Vineyards, narrow streets, old villas and market squares appear in many scenes. Small props such as a gramophone or food vendors cooking on the streets help the world feel lived in.
Character models look amazing, event close up. Faces show detail and mannerisms, and the cinematic cutscenes just beg you to snap photos. The fashion choices for Enzo impress, and the vehicles match the era well.
Voice acting is a strong pillar. Performances carry weight during cutscenes, and Don Bernardo’s presence stands out. There is a Sicilian voice option that adds regional flavour, though it does not always match lip movement. Italian is otherwise used mainly for subtitles and menus.
The soundtrack pairs classical pieces with era-appropriate cues. Music supports scenes without overwhelming them.
On PlayStation 5 the game loads quickly and mostly holds a steady frame rate. A few stutters and small graphical glitches can occur during certain interactions, but these rarely break the experience.
Overall, the presentation shines through its attention to detail and atmosphere. From the cobblestone streets to the echo of voices in narrow alleys, the visual and audio design work hand in hand to capture turn-of-the-century Sicily in convincing fashion.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: Hangar 13
Publisher: 2K Games
Genre: Action Adventure
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Hangar 13 is back with Mafia: The Old Country, working alongside Stormind Games and publisher 2K. This time, the series leaves behind its usual American cities for a Sicilian prequel set in the early 1900s. Right away, it feels like a fresh and exciting take on the Mafia series.
The campaign is compact and direct, built around a chapter-driven structure that runs 10-15 hours. While there is technically a massive open-world map, the game keeps you locked into its linear story missions. That design choice makes the pace brisk and easy to stick with.
What really shines is the way Sicily comes alive. From the architecture and countryside to the voice talent and soundtrack, the game nails its period feel. Technical polish on PS5 keeps everything running smoothly, which lets you focus on the mob drama at hand.
So here’s the real question: does Mafia: The Old Country prove that a smaller, sharper Mafia story was the right move? Let’s find out!
The story of Mafia: The Old Country focuses on Enzo Favara, a young man of the sulphur mines, a life shaped by hard labour and loss. When he flees that world, his path leads straight to Don Bernardo Torrisi’s household, where skill and loyalty determine your standing within the family.
It just so happens that owner of the sulphur mines is the Spadaro clan, whose long-standing feud fuels much of the game's tension. The story is all about Enzo's steady path upward in the Torrisi family, where respect must be earned and trust is never given lightly. Each encounter with the Spadaros reminds you of the stakes, not only for Enzo's survival but also his standing within the family.
Small, quiet scenes are where the writing often shines. Conversations with Luca, Enzo’s trusted confidant within the Torrisi family, can leave a stronger mark than the gunfights, grounding the story in friendship and loyalty. The volatility of the Don's nephew Cesare and the love angle with Isabella, the Don’s daughter, give the plot both heat and human stakes. Those private hours let you really connect with the characters.
Big moments are spread throughout the campaign, breaking up the quieter stretches with bursts of cinematic action. Knife duels stand out as tense one-on-one clashes, serving the story more than just gameplay mechanics. Some of the strongest writing and direction comes through in cutscenes, where performances land and motives feel believable.
The plot follows a familiar arc, so big surprises are rare, but the pacing keeps things moving without wasted moments. What sticks with you isn’t the twists, but the characters themselves, who stay with you long after the credits. In the end, the story works because it leans on strong character moments and steady pacing rather than sudden shocks.
The game’s mechanics mirror its story-first design: tight, purposeful and clear. Levels funnel you through set objectives, with stealth and scripted action doing much of the work. That keeps the pace moving and avoids filler.
Stealth gets good attention here. You can distract guards with coins or bottles, slip behind them for a takedown, and hide bodies in trunks. I tried a slow, careful approach in a village section and the methodical pace felt rewarding. There’s a weird trunk quirk where stored bodies sometimes vanish, but presumably that'll get patched out eventually. The stealth tools are straightforward and do their job.
Combat revolves around cover and smart movement. The era’s weapons all feel different—pistols for close work, rifles at range, shotguns for close bursts—though I sometimes wanted the shotgun to hit a bit harder. Enemies will flank and pressure you, which keeps you on your toes. I had a tense hillside fight where I clung to a low wall, timed my move, and got a win that felt earned rather than lucky.
Knife duels show up at key moments and play out like short boss encounters. They use parries, dodges and timed strikes, and knives can carry perks like health recovery after a takedown. They’re cinematic and dramatic, though they do happen a few times too many. Outside the fights you can ride horses or drive period cars—both control well—and collect rosaries, saint’s cards and other keepsakes for small bonuses. Progression is light, mostly modest trinkets that tweak stats.
Overall, the gameplay is concise and packs a punch. It won’t overwhelm you with systems, but it delivers steady, satisfying moments that support the narrative and give real weight to the story beats.
The game’s visuals put Sicily front and centre. Vineyards, narrow streets, old villas and market squares appear in many scenes. Small props such as a gramophone or food vendors cooking on the streets help the world feel lived in.
Character models look amazing, event close up. Faces show detail and mannerisms, and the cinematic cutscenes just beg you to snap photos. The fashion choices for Enzo impress, and the vehicles match the era well.
Voice acting is a strong pillar. Performances carry weight during cutscenes, and Don Bernardo’s presence stands out. There is a Sicilian voice option that adds regional flavour, though it does not always match lip movement. Italian is otherwise used mainly for subtitles and menus.
The soundtrack pairs classical pieces with era-appropriate cues. Music supports scenes without overwhelming them.
On PlayStation 5 the game loads quickly and mostly holds a steady frame rate. A few stutters and small graphical glitches can occur during certain interactions, but these rarely break the experience.
Overall, the presentation shines through its attention to detail and atmosphere. From the cobblestone streets to the echo of voices in narrow alleys, the visual and audio design work hand in hand to capture turn-of-the-century Sicily in convincing fashion.
The Verdict
This Sicilian prequel feels like a compact film: Enzo’s journey moves from the mines into Don Bernardo’s circle through intimate scenes and bold set pieces. Stealth and cover shooting sit alongside knife duels that punctuate story beats, and travel by horse or period car suits the era. Visuals, music and voice work sell the setting, while a Sicilian audio option adds the perfect regional colour. Technical performance is fantastic from start to finish. In the end, this stands as one of the best Mafia games yet, and a must-play for anyone who enjoys narrative-driven adventures.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Mafia: The Old Country details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCDeveloper: Hangar 13
Publisher: 2K Games
Genre: Action Adventure
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.