Mafia The Old Country provides a compelling narrative experience that really drives home the dirty and brutal origins of the Mafia series. Many will call this game a movie game, but I disagree on the simple basis of how previous mafia games were showcased. Mafia the old country plays exactly as a mafia game always has, which is a single player narrative driven experience with simplistic combat that is all about the experience itself instead of the direct gameplay experience. Lets talk pros and cons.

Pros:

Graphics - This is by far one of the most beautiful Mafia games to date. The world is gorgeous, HIGHLY detailed, with NPC's that feel alive. The world is always busy, NPC's are always doing something and there is plenty to look at as you explore the world. This is a truly beautiful game and as I played it (4k resolution, max settings etc) it is a stunner.

Story / Narrative - The game starts off fairly slow, like most mafia games. After about the third chapter, you are hooked so hard it carries you through to the end. The games story is typical mafia, with glorious brutality, insane betrayls and plot twists. The ending scene I could have done without, as it does very little other than annoy you, however from a narrative perspective, it is neccessary to get the full context of everything that happens in the end. I wouldn't say this is the absolute best mafia story, as that is reserved for Mafia 2 IMO, but still this is a strong entry into the franchise from a narrative perspective. The game overall does not overstay its welcome and I can appreciate that.

Music - The music in this game is incredible. Every single score hits hard and is played JUST at the right time, every time, to maximize impact on the situation happening on screen. It is truly fantastic and a great overall score.

Value - 14 chapters, I finished the game in 11 hours for a triple A experience for $49.99. I would say the game is barely hitting that "just right" value perspective, but I do feel it could have just been a little more to really drive home that $49.99 entry fee. Overall still a positive though in todays world of $70-$80 slop titles.

Customization - Enzo is highly customizable in this title, between hair, hats, outfits and weapons. Theres alot to customize here and it is definitely a plus. Not to mention the kind of cars you can acquire AND the kind of horses you can ride. Theres plenty to utilize here.

Gameplay - Gameplay is a pro and a con. The game plays exactly like a mafia should and has always played. People who expected any different wanted GTA with a mafia skin on it and they are not going to get it. However, there are some negatives to the gameplay I will discuss below.

Cons:

Gameplay - So for me, gameplay as mentioned, is a pro and a con. Mafia has always been a cover shooter, utilizing your enviornment to duck and shoot. Its been this way for a bit and this game does absolutely nothing differently. People complain about the gameplay, but they must have never played a mafia game. These people are looking for GTA with the mafia and they are not going to get that here. Mafia has never and will never be like GTA and people need to stop thinking it should be. Different games exist for a reason and this game does what it does well. However, the gameplay IS simplistic and after multiple entries, a few ways to spice it up couldnt hurt. The knife combat is simplistic and repetitive, with nearly no changes after the tutorial. Enemies are a joke overall in melee combat with 1 or 2 moments of change up.

Enemy AI - AI is a joke in this game. Enemies run funny, get locked up, caught up, do stupid things. They do alot of damage dont get me wrong, but its all very easily avoidable and most of the time they are being stupid while you pick them off one by one. Stormtrooper aim is also a thing.

Story Length - I do believe this games story is super solid and doesnt overstay its welcome, But i dont think another 4-6 hours would have killed this game at all. We could have fleshed out some character arcs and really drove it all home for the ultimate finish at the end. The game started to feel rushed with all the time skips and I feel like another few hours could have avoided all that.

Game Stutter - Unreal engine typical stuttering nonsense at release. It's so ridiculous already.

Overall Mafia the old country is a solid entry in a franchise that is often misunderstood. People look at every entry in this game and think to themselves "this will be the time it will be like GTA!" and then when it's not...people get mad. It's dumb. Stop doing that. Mafia will always be a single player narrative experience focused on the story of the game and telling it properly, whether that's slow or fast.

You can watch my entire playthrough of this game on Hypnotic Gaming LIVE. Thanks for reading.

story is fine, boring to play, buying thins like cars or weapons is useless.
Feels like a $30 game, worth getting for a discount.

This is a true Mafia game. Linear action game with heavy narrative focus. And I love it!!!! I love the characters, the story and the setting.