The Mafia series has been around for nearly two decades. Over the years, the series has seen both highs and lows. Regardless of the reviews, the multiple games in the series have taken on a classic status. There have been some dips in quality, which started with Mafia 3 getting a mixed reception. Regardless of the reception, the game managed to become a success. The definitive edition of Mafia 2 worked well for the most part.
This brings us to Mafia: The Old Country, which brings the question: Is it going to elevate the series to new heights or just stay close to the basics for which the series is known? The game has some high points that overshadow some of its low points. The game’s story continues the legacy of the series’s good storytelling. It is made in a way to cater to both the new players and fans of the series. It makes you wonder, is Mafia: The Old Country Worth It? Let’s find out.
Narrative
Mafia: The Old Country continues the series’s legacy of good storytelling. It has some amazing storytelling elements. Players will take control of Enzo Favara. He has a rough life until he is taken in by Bernardo Torrisi. Enzo Favara starts doing stuff for the Don and slowly climbs up the ranks. The character development of both Enzo Favara and Don Bernardo Torrisi is on point. The voice acting elevates the overall feel of the characters.
The supporting cast is also pretty good, and many of them will accompany him on the missions. These characters are not only well written, but the portrayal of these characters by their respective actor is also pretty good. The way these characters are written and portrayed makes you care about them.
Themes like betrayal, as well as ego and its effect on the person, are thoroughly discussed. These themes are discussed through dialogues, actions, and animations. It’s one of the game’s main selling points and makes you want to see the conclusion of different characters’ arcs.
Even though the game does a good job of establishing complex relationships and keeps the stakes high, the final payoffs feel rushed. The overall quality is good, which makes the final payoff seem rushed. It is sudden, which makes it seem like an hour of the story is missing. Despite all that, the overall Mafia: The Old Country is on spot. If the finale had been done better, the overall experience would have been even better.
Despite all that, it is still one of the best stories in the Mafia series that will be good for both newcomers and fans of the series.
Combat
Most of the stuff from the recent games in the series has been left intact. Gun combat is pretty straightforward, which revolves around you taking cover and shooting when the time is right. There is a decent amount of weapons to choose from and use. It ranges from shotguns to handguns to rifles. AI has seen some major improvements, and enemies now strategize during assault. They will try to pin you or flush you out.
Stealth is important because there are multiple levels revolving around it. Some mission even has the rule of no detection. Mafia: The Old Country is not as close to a full-on stealth game, but it gets the basics right. Sneaking up on enemies to take them down or just sneaking past them, both are options. There is also the option of distracting guards by throwing things, but overall, the stealth mechanics are basic, which is more than enough, at least for me. It works well enough, which is the only thing that matters in the end.
The Knife Fight and Upgrades
Knife duels are something new to the game. These encounters act as fun side hustles that provide an alternative to the gunplay. Mafia: The Old Country does not use it all the time, but it rather appears mostly in story-driven plots, so they are not overused. You can roll around, parry, attack, and dodge.
You can also get different types of knives, each of which offers different buffs like healing after takedown, an increase in melee damage, and stuff like that. There is also a skill system that lets you upgrade elements like reload, ammo discovery, and stuff like that. Even though the combat system is simple, it still feels more refined.
Not An Open World
There is also the option to buy cars and even horses to ride. These elements feel like extra functionality to an already interesting game. It encourages players to get off the beaten path and explore the world. Even though the world is intricately crafted and gorgeous to look at, Mafia: The Old Country is still not an open-world game.
There is the option to explore and collect items, but it does not contribute to the overall narrative of the game, making it nothing more than a side activity. It is a game with tighter and narrative design. At times, it even discourages exploration in story mode by offering a skip ride option. So you can skip the section of driving and riding in story mode.
The linear nature of the game does work in its favor based on the type of game it is. Some extra activities wouldn’t have hurt since they would have shown us more of the game’s world. Stuff like side quests tied to the supporting characters would have made things better. There are some good characters in the game, and story missions focused on them would have expanded upon the world.
The Set Pieces
The game has some really interesting sequences that can go in line with the famous set pieces of the game. There are some amazing chase sequences on both horseback and vehicles. These include races and sequences with over-the-top actions.
Driving mechanics are not bad, with an option for simulation-type driving or manual gear shifting, giving players more options. Mafia: The Old Country can be completed in 10 to 15 hours. However, it can change based on the difficulty setting and exploration.
Verdict (Is Mafia: The Old Country Worth It?)
Mafia: The Old Country has some amazing graphics and holds true to being an Unreal Engine 5 game. Character models are well-crafted, which is accompanied by good music. It holds true to the cinematic nature of the game that players have come to love over the years. Combining all that with amazing voice acting results in an experience that feels like it’s on steroids for the better.
The game does a lot of things right, but at the same time, it lacks the things that can give it replayability value. After finishing the game, you can replay the missions or roam around in the open world, but there is little to no incentive for it. The price at which the game is selling makes up for all the thing it lack. Even on its own, The Old Country is an excellent game to play. If you like story-driven game that don’t requires hours upon hours of grind, then this will absolutely work for you.
Use OurAffiliates and Support The Looter Shooters By Clicking on The Link Below
Trailer:
