Mafia: The Old Country Reviews
The Old Country comes close to Mafia 1 in terms of story, though it doesn't surpass that classic. The AI could have been smarter, the gameplay isn't spectacular, and there's little reason to restart the game once the story is over. But all that doesn't detract from the fact that this is a game you play primarily for its story, its characters, and its atmosphere. In that respect, it absolutely doesn't disappoint.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
If you're up for a fantastic yarn and gorgeous sights, Mafia: The Old Country is outstanding, meaning you'll be totally sold by its presentation. The moments, the story and the characters are top-notch, and there's not much to criticize on that front. However, The Old Country is old-fashioned with forced and bland stealth sections, predictable gunplay, and a lack of newness when it comes to the game's mechanics—also the knife fights are unexciting and rote. You can have a blast with The Old Country if gameplay isn't your utmost concern, but if it is, you may need to absolve it of its sins, because while the gunplay is functional and enjoyable enough, it lacks nuance and weapon variety. Altogether, The Old Country is definitely worth taking in, but when gameplay is king, you may feel underwhelmed that it spends more time focusing on its visual and storytelling qualities than it does on crafting a sophisticated playable experience.
Mafia: The Old Country is an often chaotic mess of ideas and gameplay elements, each of which were dated well over a decade ago. Yet it's also a wonderfully directed and acted linear action game that, at just a little over ten hours, feels like a refreshing throwback in this era of bloat.
Mafia: The Old Country may be far from perfect, but most of its apparent shortcomings are easily overshadowed by an emotionally told story of rise and personal growth, the importance of family, and forbidden love — a narrative to which most aspects of the game are skillfully subordinated.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Mafia: The Old Country is made for Mafia fans who care most about the story and the setting. Even though it doesn’t push the limits of gameplay, it has a great story and a world with a lot of little details. It might feel like a missed chance for beginners or people looking for new mechanics.
The magic of the Mafia comes back in Mafia: The Old Country when you drive a classic car down a dusty road at sunset or make plans in a villa's back room by candlelight. It may not change the franchise, but it knows what made it great in the first place.
Mafia: The Old Country is a pleasantly surprising release that offers around sixteen hours of solid entertainment. A well-paced story and detailed setting help it stand out, despite major drawbacks like repetitive knife-based fights and poor enemy AI. While not a top-tier title, its budget price and overall coherence make it a worthwhile option in today’s gaming landscape.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Mafia: The Old Country isn’t the longest, flashiest, or most replayable game—but what it offers is clarity. This is a lean, linear mob drams focused on story, atmosphere, and character. It knows exactly what it wants to be, and it doesn’t waste your time getting there. If you’re after a grounded narrative with a clear creative vision, The Old Country delivers something memorable.
Beautiful to look at, worth experiencing for the atmosphere and story, but ultimately weighed down by gameplay that refuses to evolve. Like a treasured heirloom, it is meant to be appreciated, not necessarily played over and over.
But anyone who enjoys narratively strong action games with cinematic staging can pick this up with a clear conscience. Series fans might not be impressed, but they'll be satisfied with a really good "Mafia."
Review in German | Read full review
The Mafia series returns with a classic, story-driven action-adventure that dives deep into the origins of the organization—and the series itself. With a dense, cinematic narrative and a faithful recreation of Sicily, the game delivers a grounded experience that feels both timeless and fresh. The detailed visuals and authentic sound design make it hard not to dream of traveling to Sicily yourself.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Mafia: The Old Country is a solid return to the series’ roots. Despite a few minor flaws, it delivers an engaging story that’s well worth experiencing. The game also packs in plenty of fan-service moments that longtime Mafia fans will definitely appreciate.
I would have liked to see Mafia: The Old Country give me more to sink my teeth into. This is not about length, which comes in at around 12–15 hours to complete, but more about having some meat on the bone. If it's about giving me a cinematic drama to play before me, then really give it to me instead of a very typical love story up until the last hour or so. My hopes were high for Mafia: The Old Country, and the game didn't satisfy.
Hangar 13 didn't reinvent the wheel with Mafia: The Old Country. Instead it goes back to the roots of the franchise and of the mafia, with a cinematic adventure in Sicily. The story and gameplay all feel familiair, but the execution is strong, partly due to the strong cast and memorable characters. The game does suffer from some glitches, but that doesn't ruin the fun. The Old Country feels like an 11-hour long mobster movie, with excellent pacing.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Mafia: The Old Country delivers the story-driven, cinematic experience Hangar 13 strived for. Despite, some gameplay and stability issues the engaging narrative kept us playing through the whole story. The only thing missing is more replayability.
Review in German | Read full review