Mafia: The Old Country Review

Back to Where It All Began

While many crime games lean into chaos and gunplay, Mafia: The Old Country slows things down to deliver a cinematic, atmospheric, and often brutal look at organized crime in rural and urban Italy during the 1920s.

Published as a spiritual reboot of the original Mafia franchise, The Old Country focuses not on flashy violence—but on legacy, tradition, and loyalty. With stunning visuals, authentic dialogue, and grounded gameplay, it’s less GTA and more Godfather.

But does it hold up as a game? Let’s find out.

Story & Setting – A Tale of Blood and Brotherhood

You play as Vittorio Mancini, a former soldier turned driver for the local mafia in the fictional town of San Borelli. As you rise through the ranks, you’ll navigate family tensions, betrayal, and a crumbling moral code.

Unlike previous Mafia titles, this game isn’t about becoming the boss fast—it’s about surviving long enough to understand the cost of power.

What stands out:

Slow-burn narrative with heavy emotional payoffs
Gorgeous depictions of Italian countryside, towns, and coastal ports
Fully voiced dialogue in both English and Italian (with subtitles)
Realistic, character-driven cutscenes worthy of cinema

Gameplay – Grounded, Tense, and Rewarding

Mafia: The Old Country isn’t a fast-paced shooter. It’s a third-person action adventure with a focus on immersion and realistic mechanics:

Driving is period-accurate—heavy cars, no GPS, manual shifts
Gunfights are deadly and rare; one bullet can end a life
Choices matter, affecting family relationships, trust, and future missions
No minimap; you must rely on landmarks and directions (unless you toggle modern assists)

You’ll spend as much time delivering contraband or gathering information as you will in action scenes—and that’s what makes it memorable.

Visuals & Atmosphere – Masterclass in World-Building

This game is a love letter to 1920s Italy. From cobblestone alleys and vineyard-covered hills to bustling city streets, the level of detail is extraordinary.

Weather effects, day-night cycles, and natural lighting are all used to enhance the narrative. One rainy night in Napoli, walking in silence toward a doomed meeting, might just be one of the most powerful scenes in modern gaming.

Sound & Voice Acting – Authentic and Immersive

Every line of dialogue feels lived-in. The game features:

Full Italian voiceover (with accents that feel native, not forced)
A moody orchestral score mixed with folk and early jazz
Ambient sounds that bring towns and countryside to life—church bells, street sellers, birds, and distant motor engines

Performance & Platforms

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Performance:

Locked 60 FPS on all consoles
Ultra settings on PC with DLSS support
Optional film grain and vintage filter for extra immersion
No game-breaking bugs reported at launch, though some AI bugs exist

Final Verdict

Rating: 9/10 – A Powerful Crime Drama Worth Experiencing

Mafia: The Old Country is not just a game—it’s an experience. It’s a heartfelt return to grounded storytelling, the likes of which we rarely see in open-world titles anymore. If you’re a fan of narrative-driven games, historical settings, or the Mafia franchise in general, this is a must-play.

System Requirements

Minimum:
    OS: Windows 10 / 11
    Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X / Intel Core i7-9700K
    Memory: 16 GB RAM
    Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT / NVIDIA RTX 2070
    DirectX: Version 12
    Storage: 55 GB available space
    Additional Notes: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. Requires SSD ; Graphic Preset: Medium ; Resolution: 1080p

Recommended:
    OS: Windows 10 / 11
    Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X / Intel Core i7-12700K
    Memory: 32 GB RAM
    Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT / NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti
    DirectX: Version 12
    Storage: 55 GB available space
    Additional Notes: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. Requires SSD ; Graphic Preset: High ; Resolution: 1440p