Mafia: The Old Country is at its best as a tightly directed crime drama: its early-1900s Sicilian setting, period detail and cinematic presentation give the story a strong sense of place. But it is not an open-world crime sandbox, and reviewers have found its exploration limited and its stealth and combat uneven. It is a better fit for players who want atmosphere and a focused narrative than for those seeking freedom or consistently flexible mechanics.
What kind of game is Mafia: The Old Country?
Developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K, Mafia: The Old Country is a third-person action-adventure released on August 8, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. It follows Enzo Favara, a Sicilian laborer who joins Don Torrisi’s crime family in the early 1900s. The publisher describes it as a focused, linear experience built around storytelling and period immersion, with stealth, knife fights, gunplay, period vehicles and horseback travel. 2K’s launch announcement also lists GeForce NOW, but that announcement alone does not establish current catalog availability.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Mafia: The Old Country - PlayStation 5 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced - PlayStation 5 | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Silent Hill 2 (PS5) | $29.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
PRAGMATA - PlayStation 5 | $59.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Is Mafia: The Old Country open world?
No. Its chapters are designed to move the player through a directed story rather than offer a large sandbox for unrestricted exploration. GameSpot’s review describes a richly detailed setting, including Sicilian countryside and San Celeste, but says limited interaction and the linear chapter structure can make the world feel more like a staged exhibit than an open world. TechRadar likewise praised the period setting while noting limited opportunities to explore. If free-roaming between missions is central to what you want from a Mafia game, this is a meaningful difference.
What works: atmosphere, setting and presentation
Reviewers’ strongest praise centers on the game’s sense of place. GameSpot highlighted the countryside, architecture, clothing, vehicles, weapons and environmental storytelling. TechRadar praised the story, voice acting and cutscenes alongside the period setting. Those qualities support the game’s main appeal: a crime story shaped by its time and place, presented with a cinematic emphasis rather than built around player-driven discovery.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- UNCOVER A MERCILESS WORLD OF ORGANIZED CRIME: The rough-hewn beauty of Sicily's rugged countryside is a stark contrast to the grime of urban alleyways—but the treachery and violence of this gangland run just as deep. Rival families and their ruthless leaders wage unending turf wars in the shadows, hidden from the public eye. Trust is a fleeting rarity, and loyalties are worth killing for.
- PLAY A CLASSIC MOB MOVIE: You're the antihero of this thrilling 1900s story, living out every tense moment of Enzo's descent into Sicily’s clandestine criminal underworld. Come face-to-face with a cast of unpredictable allies and cutthroat enemies in this classic crime drama, rich in period-authentic details that will immerse you in this treacherous Mediterranean setting.
- FIGHT TO SURVIVE: Engage in life-or-death combat, be it up close with a blade or from afar with a variety of firearms. Ambush enemies for vicious stealth takedowns, or slice them up in close-quarters duels. If you prefer firearms, wield period-authentic handguns, rifles, and shotguns to overcome any odds and doggedly eliminate the Don's enemies.
- TRAVEL IN AUTHENTIC STYLE: Traverse a wide range of Sicilian environments, from underground crypts and crumbling ruins to bountiful vineyards and ornate opera houses. To reach your next target or make a hurried getaway, you'll need to gallop on horseback across cobbled streets and open fields, or speed down dirt roads in authentic turn-of-the-century automobiles.
GameSpot discusses sulfur mining and dangerous working conditions as context for the story. That is a reviewer’s historical framing, not enough on its own to establish a broader account of Sicilian mining history.
Where the experience is less convincing
Stealth and checkpoints
TechRadar found the stealth awkward. GameSpot was more specific about stealth segments that can fail instantly and checkpoints it considered weak. Those criticisms matter because a tightly directed game gives players fewer alternate ways to approach a mission when a sequence feels restrictive.
Rank #2
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
Limited interaction and familiar structure
The detailed environments do not necessarily translate into a world full of things to do. GameSpot’s criticism is that the setting is carefully presented but offers limited interaction; TechRadar also noted restricted exploration. The linear structure may suit players who prefer a clear narrative path, but it is less likely to satisfy anyone expecting a broad, reactive crime sandbox.
Story and runtime are not the same question
PC Gamer reported finishing in approximately 13 hours, based on that reviewer’s experience, and still found the story unable to sustain interest. That figure is not a guaranteed completion time: pace, difficulty and play style can change how long a run takes. The more important distinction is that a shorter campaign does not automatically mean a compelling one; PC Gamer’s response to the plot was less positive than TechRadar’s praise for the story and cutscenes.
Rank #3
- Fully Remade to terrify modern audiences
- KONAMI's intense psychological horror masterpiece SILENT HILL 2 is made exclusively for PlayStation 5
- The main protagonist James Sunderland searches for clues in the namesake town, after receiving a mysterious letter from his wife Mary… who has long been dead
- Experience the eerie monsters and other manifestations of James' consciousness reworked after 20 years
- Made with state-of-the-art technology to play on modern entertainment systems in 4K
Who should play it?
| If you value… | How the game appears to fit |
|---|---|
| A cinematic crime story and a strong period setting | Likely a better match: reviewers praised the atmosphere, visual detail, voice acting and presentation. |
| Open-world freedom and lots of environmental interaction | Likely a poor match: the chapter structure is linear and reviewers describe exploration and interaction as limited. |
| Flexible, forgiving stealth | Approach cautiously: reviewers criticized awkward stealth, instant-fail conditions and weak checkpoints. |
| A short, focused campaign | Potentially appealing, but the approximately 13-hour figure is PC Gamer’s review experience, not a promised duration. |
In short, the recommendation depends less on whether you enjoy crime stories in general and more on whether directed storytelling is enough for you. The setting and presentation are the clearest strengths; freedom and mechanical consistency are the main reservations raised by reviewers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Platforms and editions
The game launched for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. 2K’s announcement listed Standard and digital Deluxe editions. At launch, the publisher listed Standard at $49.99 and Deluxe at $59.99; those were launch prices, and 2K said pricing and availability could vary by region and retailer, so they should not be treated as current prices. The Deluxe edition’s announced extras included in-game packs, the original score and a digital artbook. The ESRB rating is Mature 17+.
Rank #4
- Out-of-This-World Adventure – Stranded on a lunar space station, Hugh encounters Diana, a mysterious android resembling a young girl. While searching for a way back to Earth, they fight to survive against Bots directed to “neutralize” intruders.
- Hack & Shoot – Use each character’s distinct abilities to take down enemies. In combat, Diana can hack foes to expose weaknesses so Hugh can blast them with weapons. This unique fusion of gameplay offers an action-packed experience like no other.
- Space Exploration – Teamwork also extends to traversing the station. Utilize the thrusters in Hugh’s futuristic suit to dash and hover around while Diana hacks security systems to solve puzzles. Only together can they overcome all obstacles.
- Collect and Customize – Gather materials while exploring the station to unlock upgrades, build out a diverse arsenal of weapons, obtain new outfits, and more. Once you’re ready, use the new gear in battle and take on even greater challenges!
Take-Two’s launch announcement cited more than 35 million copies sold across the Mafia franchise; that is a franchise-wide figure, not sales of The Old Country alone. See the publisher’s launch details for the announced platforms and editions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Fight in epic 50 vs 50 multiplayer battles. Play as the North Vietnamese Army or the US Armed Forces.
- Immersive jungle warfare recreates the real-world intensity of the battle. 6 distinct game modes: Offensive, Warfare and 4 alternative new game modes.
- 6 large-scale maps – all with lighting and weather variants and extreme terrain. Emergent gameplay encourages the use of the chain of command to build teamwork and deploy a unique set of tactics and weapons for each battle.
- Multiple vehicles including helicopters and patrol boats. Build tunnels as the NVA and deploy your forces in stealth to ambush the US Armed Forces.
- Enhanced player movement improves in-battle functionality. Revamped tutorial and player onboarding. Updated interface and user experience.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
