Mafia: The Old Country Review

Breathtakingly Immersive

Mafia: The Old Country is my first entry into the series. I went in with almost no background knowledge, other than knowing it would be a semi-linear experience in the vein of Mafia II, which is often considered the best of the franchise. My only real connection was through The Godfather films, and this game immediately reminded me of the Italy sequences in the first movie, which I loved. Coming in fresh, I was able to approach the experience with an open mind.

What I found was a story that exceeded expectations. The Old Country is not a flawless game, but it kept me engaged from start to finish. Its shorter runtime of ten to twelve hours is a strength. The pacing feels deliberate and sharp, and the gameplay does not overstay its welcome. Most importantly, the story works as a standalone. Even without prior knowledge of the Mafia games, I never felt lost.

Drama Unlike Any Other

The game follows Enzo Favara as he rises from a slave miner to an important figure in the Torrisi Family. It is a story of triumph, betrayal, and the inevitability of life in the Mafia. Enzo himself is immediately compelling, with a personality that balances resilience with empathy. What surprised me most, though, was how strong the supporting cast turned out to be. Don Torrisi’s quiet menace makes every interaction uneasy. Isabella’s warmth and perspective provide a human counterpoint to the family’s darker dealings. Cesare, who I initially disliked, became one of my favorite characters as he grew into the brotherly figure Enzo needed.

The narrative is both tragic and inevitable. From early on, you can sense where the story is headed, but that knowledge only makes the journey more powerful. I wanted so badly to see these characters find a way out, but the game never pretends it will offer that escape. By the time the credits rolled, I felt the weight of a carefully constructed story that lingers well after the final cutscene.

Breaking Triple A Norms

Where Mafia: The Old Country differs from most modern AAA titles is in its priorities. This is a story-first game, with gameplay built to support rather than lead. The combat is functional but familiar, with third-person cover shooting, melee skirmishes, and lootable weapons. Knife duels stand out at first but lose their impact after being repeated too often. Driving sequences, side conversations, and collectible hunts fill the space between firefights. None of these systems are groundbreaking, yet they serve their purpose well. They build atmosphere, reinforce the sense of place, and allow the story to breathe.

Unreal Performance

The game’s biggest issue lies in its performance. I played on a high-end PC with an EVGA 3080, Ryzen 7 7700X, and 32 GB of RAM. Even so, Unreal Engine 5’s growing pains were obvious. Open-world exploration led to stuttering, and cutscene transitions often triggered sharp frame drops. Visually the game is stunning, but those graphics come at a cost. Later patches improved stability somewhat, but the technical issues remain distracting. Until Unreal Engine 5 is better optimized across the board, performance concerns will remain a reality.

Is This the Story for You?

Despite its shortcomings, Mafia: The Old Country succeeds where it matters most. It tells a gripping story filled with memorable characters, and it does so with confidence. Its gameplay may not break new ground, but it provides a solid foundation for the narrative to shine. If performance improves and future installments experiment more with mechanics, the series has the potential to reach even greater heights.

For now, The Old Country earns a recommendation. Whether you are a longtime Mafia fan or, like me, a complete newcomer, this is a story worth experiencing.