Mafia: The Old Country – Back to the Roots
The already wrapped Gamescom 2024 brought dozens of interesting announcements. Each announcement was quite awesome in its way. But for sure the reveal of a new Mafia game was one of the most unexpected titles in Cologne. Among the bunch of indie titles and live-services game Mafia looks like a breath of fresh air with nostalgic vibes. Hangar 13 promises that the new Mafia: The Old Country will be a story-driven game and it’s a rare gem if you don’t like online multiplayer and season passes.
This time Hangar 13, the studio behind Mafia III and the stellar remake of the original Mafia, will explore the Italian criminal world of the 1900s in picturesque Sicily. We don’t know for sure if the game once again returns us to the setting of the United States in the early 1910s. It seems that they go back to the series roots while bringing modern flair when it comes to gameplay. Also, they kind of confirmed that the game will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC somewhere in 2025. The teasing trailer looks very promising.
What Do We Expect from Mafia: The Old Country?
A Smooth Launch is Crucial
Mafia III had many technical issues: bugs, crashes, and a general lack of finesse. It was a lesson Hangar 13 had to learn the hardest. Mafia: The Old Country needs to come out with all the guns blazing – with the smoothest, most bug-free launch possible. There isn’t any room in organized crime for glitched AI or broken save files.
We Need 60 FPS!
Performance has been a sticking point in the past. Even on the more advanced consoles, previous Mafia titles have struggled to break free from the shackles of 30 FPS. For a game that always boasts high-octane chases and intense shootouts, a higher frame rate is a must-have feature. Players want to feel each turn off when racing vintage cars and each bullet fired in a fluid motion.
The performance mode targeting 60 FPS really could make all the difference in Mafia: The Old Country. Just like in the upcoming games from Obsidian and Blizzard Entertainment, we hope to see a stable 60 FPS on consoles as well, especially on the Xbox Series S.
More Open-World Activities
The gaming worlds in Mafia games were always a bit empty. In Mafia II and Mafia III, there were large cities with almost nothing to do, apart from the main story. But now, we expect to get more side missions and dynamic events. A couple of morally grey choices could totally change the way the story turns out. After all, it’s an open world filled with activities that somehow keep players involved past the end of the story campaign.
A Tale of Love and Betrayal
The Mafia series has always tip-toed into romance but it wasn’t in the center of attention. Now picture a narrative balancing the mob life brutality with a great love story. Such an approach to storylines can add depth to the protagonist and more reasons for players to care about their journey.
Less Time Behind the Wheel, More Time in Action
After all, while driving has been an essential part of Mafia since the very beginning, many gamers would arguably feel that it overshadowed the action. Fewer driving sessions through the city between missions and more strategic shootings along with stealthy takedowns would make a perfect balance.
And what do you want to see in Mafia: The Old Country? Join the Reddit thread where fans passionately discuss the possible visuals and gameplay.
When Will Get More Updates about Mafia: The Old Country?
Hopefully, we will get more news about the game in December of 2024 – at The Game Awards. We surely want to seek at least a sneak peek at gameplay and new or old characters. The devs may stick to the release window of 2025.
