Mafia: The Old Country forces the player to follow a script -- and while that script is good at times, it's still a letdown.

Mafia: The Old Country is a conventional but effective return to the linear and tightly story-driven format of the original Mafia and Mafia II, and it boasts a wonderful eye and ear for detail.

Old Country dials down the experience compared to the bloated open world of Mafia III and goes for something much more linear, but exploration remains a treat as a result. It does, however, clash with video game must-haves such as the player’s “Instincts” that let them highlight stuff in the environment.

"Mafia: The Old Country is an excellent prequel to the Mafia series. There’s so much to like in the 10-15 hour experience, whether it’s the excellent writing, stunning cutscenes or the enjoyable moment to moment gameplay. While it has its flaws, Hangar 13’s latest is a well-crafted love letter to a series I’ve loved for many years."

Mafia: The Old Country nails pacing, acting, and atmosphere but drowns deep in clichés, stale gameplay, and zero innovation.

Discover the best Mafia games ranked from top to bottom, analyzing each title's gameplay, world-building and impact on the franchise.

Mafia: The Old Country strives with its nuanced, relatable storytelling, but suffers from derivative gameplay and generally unpolished presentation

The Old Country, the latest entry in Hangar 13's action-adventure game series, has won some solid reviews, but it's also revived an old debate. Some players think a key feature is missing: they can't take Enzo Favara swimming.

The Old Country – ‘a classic mob movie’? Mafia: The Old Country – core gameplay pillars Mafia: The Old Country – summing up the experience Mafia: The Old Country was released on 31 July 2025 on PS5 (reviewed),