There’s something magnetic about a video game series that decides to go back in time, especially when it’s the Mafia franchise returning to the island where it all began. After the mixed reception of Mafia III‘s sprawling open world, developer Hangar 13 is taking a different route with Mafia: The Old Country, a prequel set in early 1900s Sicily that reportedly strips away the open-world formula for a tighter, linear narrative.
Release Year: 2025 ·
Developer: Hangar 13 ·
Setting: 1900s Sicily ·
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Quick snapshot
- Scheduled for 2025 from Hangar 13 and 2K (2K Newsroom (publisher’s official site))
- Set in early 1900s Sicily, a prequel to the original Mafia (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Third-person linear action-adventure, not open world (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Exact release month within 2025
- Whether the game is fully open-world or has limited exploration
- Character role of Isabella
- Availability on Xbox Game Pass
- Review scores and critical reception
- Teaser trailer: August 2024 at Gamescom (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Full trailer: December 2024 at The Game Awards (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Gameplay trailer: July 7, 2025 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Pre-orders live for Standard ($49.99) and Deluxe editions (2K Newsroom (publisher’s official site))
- Steam reviews already “Very Positive” post-launch (GamesRadar (games journalism outlet))
- First Unreal Engine 5 title in the franchise (2K Newsroom (publisher’s official site))
Seven key facts at a glance, one pattern: Mafia: The Old Country is a deliberate departure from the open-world ambitions of its predecessor, focusing instead on a tightly scripted origin story.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Developer | Hangar 13 (2K studio) |
| Publisher | 2K |
| Setting | 1900s Sicily |
| Genre | Action-adventure |
| Protagonist | Enzo Favara |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Price (Standard) | $49.99 |
Is Mafia: The Old Country coming out?
When is the Mafia: The Old Country release date?
Mafia: The Old Country is currently scheduled for release in 2025, with a specific date yet to be confirmed by Hangar 13. However, the game’s official gameplay trailer on July 7, 2025 (2K Newsroom, publisher’s official site) strongly suggests a launch window in the second half of the year. The teaser first appeared at Gamescom Opening Night Live in August 2024 (Wikipedia, community encyclopedia), followed by a full trailer at The Game Awards in December 2024.
What platforms will Mafia: The Old Country launch on?
The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Steam (2K Newsroom, publisher’s official site). There is no mention of a previous-generation console release (PS4 or Xbox One), and the use of Unreal Engine 5 suggests a current-gen-only title.
Will Mafia: The Old Country be available on Game Pass?
According to GamesRadar (games journalism outlet), Mafia: The Old Country will not be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. This aligns with 2K’s typical release strategy for major titles. No subscription service has been announced.
For console buyers, the choice is clear: only the current generation (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) will get this prequel. PC players can pre-order on Steam, but those hoping for a day-one Game Pass drop will need to pay full price.
The implication: 2K is betting on premium sales rather than subscription exposure for this linear prequel.
Is Mafia Old Country a good game?
What are the early impressions of Mafia: The Old Country?
Because the game has not yet been released, comprehensive reviews are unavailable. However, early community reactions on Reddit (social platform, user-generated opinions) have been mixed. One Reddit user described the story as “a boring and predictable love story,” though this is anecdotal and not representative. On the other hand, Steam reviews (posted after the gameplay trailer) have been rated “Very Positive” (GamesRadar, games journalism outlet).
How does Mafia: The Old Country compare to previous Mafia games?
The most significant shift is the abandonment of the open-world format. According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), Mafia: The Old Country is a “third-person linear narrative-driven” game with cinematic environments, resembling the structure of the first two Mafia titles rather than Mafia III‘s open-world design. This has been a point of contention among fans who expected a sprawling Sicilian sandbox.
The contrast with earlier entries is clear:
| Feature | Mafia: The Old Country | Mafia III |
|---|---|---|
| Open world | No (linear) | Yes |
| Setting | 1900s Sicily | 1960s New Bordeaux |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 | Proprietary (not specified) |
What do reviews say about Mafia: The Old Country?
As of the time of writing, Metacritic has a page for the game but no critic scores have been published (noted by GamesRadar, games journalism outlet). Without launch reviews, any judgment remains speculative. The editorial angle here is that the game’s linearity may either be a refreshing return to form or a disappointment for those who fell in love with Mafia III‘s geography.
Players looking for a tight, narrative-focused experience will likely appreciate the change of pace. Those who wanted an open-world Sicilian crime saga may feel shortchanged. Hangar 13 is betting that story depth outweighs map size.
Is Mafia Old Country a full game?
Is Mafia: The Old Country a standalone game or DLC?
Mafia: The Old Country is the fourth main entry in the franchise and a fully standalone title, not downloadable content. According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), it is the fifth game overall when including spin-offs. The Standard Edition is priced at $49.99 (2K Newsroom, publisher’s official site), which is typical for a full-priced release.
How long is Mafia: The Old Country?
No official playtime has been confirmed. The linear structure suggests a campaign length similar to Mafia I (roughly 10–15 hours), but this is unverified. The Mafia Wiki (fan wiki, community-maintained) lists no estimated completion time.
Is Mafia: The Old Country connected to the other Mafia games?
How does Mafia: The Old Country fit into the Mafia timeline?
The game is a prequel set in 1900s Sicily, decades before the events of the first Mafia (set in 1930s Lost Heaven). According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), it explores the origins of organized crime and the fictional Corleone family, which later appears in Mafia II. The protagonist, Enzo Favara, is a teenage carusu (apprentice) in the Torrisi crime family (Wikipedia, community encyclopedia).
Are there characters from previous games in Mafia: The Old Country?
Because of the early 1900s setting, direct character overlap is unlikely. However, the Corleone family name appears in Mafia II, suggesting that events in this prequel may establish the dynasty. The role of Isabella (listed in the 2K Newsroom, publisher’s official site) remains unclear.
Is Mafia Old Country ever open world?
Is Mafia: The Old Country an open-world game?
The short answer is no. According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), the game is described as a “third-person linear narrative-driven” action-adventure. The 2K Newsroom (publisher’s official site) emphasizes “cinematic environments” and a “gritty mob story,” not a sandbox. Players may have small divergences from the main path in certain chapters for exploration or optional objectives (Wikipedia, community encyclopedia).
What is the map size and structure?
No official map size has been shared. The linear structure suggests individual mission-based levels rather than a contiguous open world. This design choice from Hangar 13 deliberately contrasts with Mafia III‘s large New Bordeaux map.
Fans who craved an open-world Sicilian mafia game will be disappointed. Yet the same linearity allowed the original Mafia to deliver one of gaming’s most memorable stories. Hangar 13 is betting on narrative density over geographic scale.
The pattern: each Mafia game has oscillated between tight storytelling and sandbox freedom; The Old Country firmly chooses the former.
Timeline of Mafia: The Old Country
- August 20, 2024 – Teaser trailer revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live (Wikipedia, community encyclopedia)
- December 12, 2024 – Full trailer at The Game Awards (Wikipedia, community encyclopedia)
- July 7, 2025 – Official gameplay trailer released (2K Newsroom, publisher’s official site)
- 2025 (target) – Scheduled release (Wikipedia, community encyclopedia)
Confirmed facts
- Release year: 2025 (2K Newsroom)
- Developer: Hangar 13 (2K Newsroom)
- Prequel to Mafia I (Wikipedia)
- Protagonist: Enzo Favara (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Open-world status (linear confirmed but small exploration possible)
- Exact release month within 2025
- Isabella’s role
- Game Pass availability
- Review scores
- Free Ride mode
Quotes from the community and official sources
“Uncover the origins of organized crime in Mafia: The Old Country, a gritty mob story set in the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily.”
Steam description (official store page)
“The story isn’t a mafia story; it’s a boring and predictable love story.”
Reddit user (as reported by GamesRadar, games journalism outlet)
“Mafia: The Old Country is a 2025 action-adventure game developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K.”
Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)
Mafia: The Old Country is a deliberate, perhaps risky, shift for the franchise. For fans who loved the focused storytelling of the original Mafia, this prequel looks like a return to form. For those who valued scale and exploration, the linearity may feel like a step back. The absence of an open world and the lack of Game Pass availability are concrete trade-offs. But if Hangar 13 delivers a tight, emotionally resonant narrative in Unreal Engine 5, the game could earn its place alongside the series’ best. For PC and console buyers, the decision is clear: invest in a narrative-first experience, or wait for a deeper dive to see if the story justifies the price tag.
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For a comprehensive overview of the game’s features and release details, check out this Mafia: The Old Country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the story of Mafia: The Old Country?
The game follows Enzo Favara, a teenage apprentice in the Torrisi crime family, set in early 1900s Sicily. It explores the origins of organized crime and the Corleone family before the events of the first Mafia (Wikipedia).
Who is the protagonist?
Enzo Favara, a young carusu (apprentice) in the fictional Torrisi crime family (Wikipedia).
Will there be a physical edition?
2K has not yet announced physical editions. Pre-orders are currently digital-only on the 2K Newsroom.
Is there a multiplayer mode?
No, Mafia: The Old Country is a single-player narrative game. No multiplayer has been announced (Wikipedia).
What is the price?
The Standard Edition is $49.99, with a Deluxe Edition also available (2K Newsroom).
Can I pre-order?
Yes, both Standard and Deluxe Editions are available for pre-order now on Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store (2K Newsroom).
Is Mafia: The Old Country coming to previous generation consoles?
There has been no announcement for PS4 or Xbox One. The game uses Unreal Engine 5 and seems to be current-gen only (2K Newsroom).