Mafia: The Old Country

Hangar 13 didn't disappoint - it's great to see a studio that learns from its mistakes. And their mistake was definitely a serious one - we're talking about the disastrous Mafia 3, where story missions arrived only after hours of monotonous, tedious grinding.

Abandoning the unnecessary open world was a step in the right direction. If you're not Rockstar Games or CD Projekt RED - studios that truly know how to create vibrant, engaging open worlds - then maybe it's better not to try at all. Given the negative experience with Mafia 3, repeating those same mistakes could have completely undermined the audience's trust.

But let's be honest - this new game turned out great. The story, the atmosphere, the action - it's all top-notch. Sure, the gameplay might feel a bit outdated in places, but that hardly matters when the game is so gripping it's nearly impossible to put down.

This is the strongest entry in the series to date - we're looking forward to what the team creates next. 8/10.

I guess i didnt extensively look into the game before i got it. But i expected a similar game to mafia 3. I loved mafia 3 for its free roaming "dominate the map style" game this is very different.

I suspect to distance themselves from Rockstar which id ask why, why would the rolling stones compete with the beatles, they share the same target audience people will enjoy both. Both can be great open map crime simulators set in unique time periods and settings.

The mafia franchise with this has fucussed heavily on story along with fantastic graphic scenery and detail, and its done this very well, evolving characters and a story that pulls you in.

I like it but not for the reasons I expected to like it. Id love another mafia 3 but this is a good game with the main caveat being not a whole lot of playtime.

This game was amazing, a bit predictable but amazing.

All of the characters have so much depth to them, you understand all of their motivations and why they make the decisions they do. All of the actors potrayed their characters so well, every emotion and facial expression telling the story.

The background also tell us so much, the volaco, the difference in colours and the amount of ironic karma is absolutely delictable.

The horse and car chase scene did feel very put of place and boring, we should've been able to jump from the horses to cars.

What an amazing game! I started it with high expectations, and it really didn't let me down. From the first mission, it kept me hooked. Some people say the graphics look like a PS3 game-seriously? The story is great, the plot is even better, and the gameplay is a lot of fun. I didn't run into any glitches while playing, which is a big plus. The only thing is that the gameplay feels a bit hard at first-whether it's shooting or driving-but you get used to it over time.

Rating: 7.8/10

Mafia: The Old Country is a masterful narrative-driven experience that combines a powerful story with stunning visuals. By returning to the series' roots, Hangar 13 has delivered a gripping and emotionally resonant gangster epic.

Highlights

• Gripping Story: The game's narrative is a powerful tale of loyalty, love, and the corrupting nature of power, with a tight and focused structure.

• Compelling Characters: The characters are wonderfully written and performed, with Enzo's relationships being the emotional core of the game.

• Visual Masterpiece: The game is a visual masterpiece, with breathtaking detail and realistic lighting, set in early 20th-century Sicily.

Criticisms

• Lack of Innovation: The gameplay doesn't bring much new to the third-person action genre, relying on a standard formula.

• Limited Player Choice: The game's strict linearity means there's little room for player choice or exploration outside of the main path.

Verdict Mafia: The Old Country is a triumphant return to the series' narrative-driven roots. It's a stunning, cinematic, and deeply tragic gangster story that's a must-play for anyone who loves a great, character-driven story.