If you’re a fan of rich storytelling, historical depth, and tactical third-person action, you’re going to want to circle August 8, 2025 on your calendar. That’s when Mafia: The Old Country officially drops for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K Games, this new entry serves as a prequel to the beloved Mafia franchise. But don’t expect another city sandbox—this one dials the clock back to early 1900s Sicily, trading neon signs and jazz clubs for cobbled streets, vintage revolvers, and the birth of a criminal empire.

Setting the Scene: Sicily in Turmoil

Unlike the modern or mid-century America backdrops we’ve seen before, The Old Country is rooted in San Celeste, a fictional Sicilian town modeled after real places like Palermo and Agrigento. The game’s Unreal Engine 5 visuals breathe life into the setting, with olive groves, sun-faded plaster walls, and crumbling churches all playing a role in the atmospheric weight of the narrative.

The story follows Enzo Favara, a 17-year-old orphan who’s drawn into the world of crime through the Torrisi family—a powerful clan that sets the foundation for the Mafia’s later expansion to America.

Storytelling First: A Return to Mafia’s Roots

Mafia: The Old Country breaks away from the open-world focus of Mafia III. Instead, Hangar 13 is embracing what made the first two games memorable: tight, mission-based storytelling.

Expect:

• Heavily cinematic missions
• Authentic period dialects (with subtitles)
• A fully motion-captured cast
• Moral choices that affect Enzo’s reputation within the family

It’s about storytelling, not sandbox chaos—think of it as a playable historical crime drama.

How It Plays: Tactical, Gritty, and Personal

Gameplay is a third-person mix of stealth, gunplay, and scripted chases. From what we’ve seen:

1. There’s less inventory management and more focus on your surroundings.
2. You’ll use period-authentic weapons: bolt-action rifles, knives, and brass knuckles.
3. No minimap—instead, contextual cues and memory-based navigation (like real gangsters might’ve used).
4. Horse-drawn carriages, early motorcycles, and rudimentary cars replace high-speed pursuits.

And yes, quick-time interrogations and dialogue-based missions will test your patience and decision-making.

New Feature: The Loyalty System

One of the most anticipated mechanics is the Loyalty System. As you interact with different members of the Torrisi family, your choices affect:

• Enzo’s rank
• Mission availability
• Protection or betrayal during key events

This creates replayability and adds real weight to your conversations, alliances, and actions.

Visual Touch: A Snapshot of What’s Coming

Imagine this: warm Sicilian sunsets, Enzo in a wool coat with a revolver tucked inside, and grainy phonograph music playing in the background while two families negotiate over a crate of stolen rifles. This isn’t just a shooter—it’s a mood.

Game Overview Table

Here’s a quick comparison for easy reference:

Feature	Details
Title	Mafia: The Old Country
Release Date	August 8, 2025
Platforms	PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
Genre	Story-driven, action-adventure (third-person)
Setting	San Celeste, Sicily, early 1900s
Main Character	Enzo Favara
Engine	Unreal Engine 5
Editions	Standard, Deluxe, Collector’s
New Mechanics	Loyalty system, no minimap, reputation-based dialogue
Price (Standard)	$49.99 USD

Pre-Order and Editions

The game is already available for pre-order via Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Marketplace. Players who pre-order the Deluxe Edition will receive early access to the Favara Family Outfit Pack and a bonus historical mission called The Oath.

Final Thoughts

Mafia: The Old Country looks to be more than just another historical shooter—it’s shaping up to be a mature, character-driven epic that blends the cinematic quality of Mafia II with the visual fidelity of modern engines. For fans who want narrative weight, moral complexity, and a setting we haven’t seen a thousand times before, this game could be one of 2025’s most distinctive titles.