The latest entry in the iconic Mafia video game series, Mafia: The Old Country, will launch globally on August 8, 2025. The game will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and NVIDIA GeForce NOW. This release marks the franchise’s return after a nine-year hiatus, following its announcement at Gamescom 2024.
Prequel Explores the Origins of the Sicilian Mafia
Mafia: The Old Country is a story-centered prequel that takes place in early 20th century Sicily. It charts the origins of organised crime following the life of Enzo Favara, a boy who goes from sulfur mine worker to a key member of the Torrisi family crime led by Don Torissi. It is set in fictional Sicilian town of San Celeste, where people saw it in Mafia II, allowing individuals to get a closer insight into its history.
Gameplay Returns to Series Roots with Linear, Story-Focused Design
It uses the concentrated, linear narrative style of early Mafia games, unlike the open world design of Mafia III. They are cinematic settings with a gameplay structure that supports both shooting, stealth, and hand-to-hand combat in the right proportions. The title provides a great deal of realism with respect to historical accuracy involving armaments, transportation, and travel styles on horse or by antique cars.
Developer Hangar 13 emphasises authenticity in The Old Country, creating close ties to the historical and cultural context of early Sicilian Mafia life. Fully localised voice acting in Sicilian enhances the immersive experience. The game demonstrates combat diversity: players can engage in gunfights, stealth attacks, or close-quarters knife duels using crafted period weapons.
Authentic Recreation of Sicilian Settings
The game developers engaged in a huge research and took a trip to Sicily in order to obtain correct visuals and sounds. The landscapes that they researched included rural countryside and coastal areas, urban back alleys, ancient ruins, and sumptuous villas. This study impacted the settings of the game and brought about a clear definition of the game in the series. Cultural heritage includes such local crafts as knife-making in Sicily, which are represented in the game.
Release Details and Availability
Mafia: The Old Country launches worldwide with staggered release times to accommodate different regions. Players in Sydney, Australia can access the game starting at 2:00 AM AEST on August 8, 2025. The release follows similarly timed launches in New Zealand, Japan, Europe, and the Americas. The game is also available as a Deluxe Edition, which includes the full base game alongside bonus content such as digital artbooks and original score.
The game is now available for players worldwide
Critical Reception and Community Expectation
Early reviews rate Mafia: The Old Country positively, with critics appreciating its return to a story-driven approach and its period detail. Metacritic aggregated “generally favorable” reviews following the game’s release. The game appeals to fans of classic crime dramas and offers a fresh perspective by exploring the Mafia’s earliest days. The mix of varied gameplay styles keeps engagement high by shifting between stealth, driving, and combat sequences.
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Developer Insights on Creation and Vision
Hangar 13’s studio president Nick Baynes and game director Alex Cox explained the team’s choice to set the game in San Celeste for authenticity and continuity with previous titles. They aimed to ground The Old Country within the Mafia narrative universe while exploring new gameplay and story possibilities unique to Sicily’s setting. The developers employed Unreal Engine 5 for enhanced visuals and performance.
Game Features Summary
- Immersive story tracing Mafia origins through Enzo Favara’s journey
- Linear third-person action-adventure with cinematic storytelling
- Richly detailed 1900s Sicilian environments from urban to rural
- Diverse combat options including firearms, stealth, and knife fights
- Period-authentic vehicles and travel methods, including horseback riding
- Sicilian voice acting to enhance authenticity
- Deluxe Edition with bonus digital content and collectibles
Mafia: The Old Country stands as a significant addition to the franchise, returning to story-driven gameplay with an authentic, historically grounded setting and a fresh view on organised crime origins. The game launches on August 8, 2025, enticing long-time fans and new players alike into the perilous world of early Sicilian Mafia.
