Mafia: The Old Country is a journey through the heart of Sicily, a tale that grips, twists, and finally breaks you.
Let me be clear upfront: if you love emotional stories with real consequences, you’ll want to see this through to the end. But don’t expect fireworks in the gameplay, because the story, characters, and atmosphere are where the new Mafia shines.
The Sicilian Story – family, betrayal, and loss
The storyline of Mafia: The Old Country is a beautifully crafted, emotionally rich experience that stands out as the game’s strongest asset.
It tells the story of Enzo Favara, a poor laborer in the sulfur mines of early 1900s Sicily, who is thrust into the violent and complicated world of the Torrisi crime family, with his friend, Gaetano. What makes the narrative compelling is its grounded approach. This isn’t just a glamorized mafia tale, but one that explores themes like exploitation, loyalty, ambition, and the harsh realities of power.
The story takes you on a journey from Enzo’s desperate fight for survival to his slow, painful rise within the mafia ranks. The game masterfully captures the tension between Enzo’s dreams of a better life, symbolized by his longing for America and his love for Isabella, and the brutal demands of his new criminal world.
Enzo’s life took a turn when Don Bernardo Torrisi rescued him. Torrisi isn’t a hero here—he’s the cold boss of a powerful mafia family locked in a tense truce with Spadaro. Torrisi took Enzo under his wing. Soon, Enzo started running missions, keeping secrets, and getting close to Isabella, who happens to be the daughter of the Don. Their love is the thread that binds the story together, but it’s a thread pulled tighter by violence all around them.
Throughout the game, I found Enzo was forced to do whatever Torrisi asks, be it sabotaging rival families, rescuing hostages, and cleaning up messes both big and small. There was a constant push and pull between personal loyalty and the ruthless nature of the mafia. This conflict fuels some truly gripping moments, especially the fractures within the Torrisi family itself and Enzo’s ultimate realization that joining the mafia has trapped him in a cycle of violence and loss.
By the last act, Enzo has transformed into a hardened mafioso, and at the same time, he’s miserable. What sets the story apart is its emotional depth.
The characters feel real and flawed, from the intimidating Don Torrisi to the conflicted Cesare and the hopeful yet trapped Isabella. The dialogue, voice acting, and dramatic cutscenes pull you into their world. The narrative doesn’t shy away from tragedy. The climax with the erupting Mount Etna and the betrayals that follow hit hard and made it clear that this is a story about sacrifice and shattered dreams, not just power and crime.
Straightforward and satisfying gameplay
If you were hoping the game would let you roam and experiment, you’ll be disappointed, because missions are strictly linear in Mafia: The Old Country. You will sneak past guards, pick off targets, or dive into well-choreographed shootouts.
There are a few standout bits (some of them I found quite similar to previous titles), such as the car chase after rescuing Giuseppe from jail, or the tense knife fights with Merlo. However, most of the time, I was bound to stick closely to the script, moving from one story beat to the next.
Gunplay is as straightforward as it can be. You duck behind cover, wait for a window, and fire. It’s basic but dependable. Knife fights, on the other hand, are highlighted by drama in cutscenes, but they don’t have much depth mechanically, and that’s exactly what the game needed. Sometimes less is more, and this Mafia portrays that perfectly.
Stealth sections are hit or miss. Sometimes I feel smart slipping past patrols, while other times, enemies go haywire and blow your cover for no good reason. The game plays it very safe, especially compared to other modern action titles, and there’s little incentive to explore or innovate during missions.
The world of Sicily is gorgeous
Where Mafia: The Old Country absolutely shines is in its art and atmosphere. Sicily is gorgeous and incredibly detailed. I experienced sun-soaked vineyards, horse races by moonlight, and smoky taverns pulsing with secrets.
It felt alive and dangerous, with a quality that can almost be compared to films. I sense the history in every alley, whether during a festival or a funeral. But don’t get excited for sandbox play. The world is mostly for show, a beautiful backdrop that sets the mood but rarely opens up for meaningful interaction.
Verdict
Mafia: The Old Country is a must-play for fans of powerful mafia dramas and beautiful virtual worlds. The story hits hard, the characters are unforgettable, and the setting feels authentic. But you have to accept its limitations: basic gameplay, rigid mission structure, and a world that doesn’t encourage you to play outside the lines.
You’ll be disappointed if you expect a big playground to explore or deep action mechanics. But if you want to experience one of the most emotional mob stories in games, a tale of love and betrayal set against the beautiful, cruel backdrop of early 1900s Sicily, this is the ride you should take. Be ready with tissues, though, as The Old Country is a tragedy. It doesn’t pull its punches and leaves scars that last long after the credits roll.
- Engaging and emotional story set in early 1900s Sicily
- Beautiful, authentic world design with detailed environments
- Well-acted characters who breathe life into the narrative
- Cinematic presentation with strong cutscenes and dramatic set pieces
- A mix of stealth, cover-based shooting, and occasional chase sequences that fit well within the narrative context
- Gameplay mechanics feel basic
- Linear mission structure limits exploration
- Knife fights grow repetitive quickly and lack mechanical depth
- Short game length of around 10-12 hours, which may feel brief for some
Published: Oct 15, 2025 05:48 am