Mafia: The Old Country releases on August 8 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. While it serves as an origin story, many players view it as Mafia 4. The setting shifts to rural Sicily in 1900, diving deep into the roots of organized crime. Hangar 13 positions the game as a linear, cinematic experience focused on tradition, loyalty, and survival.

Unlike the urban American backdrops of earlier titles, this installment explores the mafia’s birthplace. The historical location brings a raw edge to gameplay, with primitive weapons, early motorcars, and a heavy focus on horse traversal. Every detail—from street layout to character behavior—reflects meticulous historical research.

Enzo Favara: From the Mines to the Mafia

At the center is Enzo Favara, a young orphan forced into mine labor. Treated as disposable, he looks to crime for escape and identity. Swearing the oath offers him acceptance, status, and a new family. His emotional journey forms the game’s narrative core.

Enzo starts with nothing. His life expectancy in the mines is short. The mafia offers him a way out, though it comes with blood and consequence. His story highlights themes of desperation, ambition, and loyalty. Players follow his evolution through the eyes of a broken boy trying to build something for himself.

Hangar 13’s developers promise an intense arc, marked by brutal decisions and emotional highs and lows. The writing emphasizes character motivation, lending weight to every cutscene, mission, and encounter.

Real Combat, Tactical Scarcity, and Grounded Design

The gameplay features grounded mechanics with limited resources. Weapons include knives, period-accurate firearms, and makeshift tools. Combat emphasizes tactical choice over chaos. Knife duels feature parry, dodge, slash, and thrust mechanics. These mechanics reflect Sicilian fighting traditions and reward patience over aggression.

Cover-based shooting returns but feels slower and more deliberate. Players cannot spray and pray; every bullet counts. Enemies hit hard, and the lack of ammo encourages stealth or alternative approaches. The HUD remains minimal, supporting immersion without cluttering the screen.

Horses replace high-speed cars. Their movement feels heavy and lifelike. Meanwhile, vintage cars handle poorly, just as they would in 1900. Developers stress realism in every movement, sound, and interaction.

Classic Mob Storytelling with Modern Detail

Hangar 13 designed the game like a classic mob film. The cinematics echo Hollywood crime dramas, with tight framing and strong performances. The team visited Sicily and studied books, documentaries, and historical records to ensure the authenticity of every visual and narrative detail.

Unreal Engine 5 powers the experience, enabling high-fidelity character models with micro-expressions and lifelike movement. Developers used Metahuman technology to create realistic NPCs who blend seamlessly into cinematic cutscenes.

Unlike previous entries, The Old Country focuses on brotherhood and heritage rather than power and flash. The stakes feel personal. The setting—rural villages, dusty roads, dimly lit interiors—grounds the experience in emotional weight.

The Road to August

While trailers offered only short glimpses of gameplay, early impressions highlight a linear, story-driven design. Missions blend dramatic storytelling with raw, deliberate action. Knife combat and driving sequences reflect this focus on immersion and pacing.

The development team hints at emotional twists and meaningful connections to the broader Mafia universe. Though unconfirmed, some names or locations may link to past titles. Fans can expect continued reveals and behind-the-scenes updates leading up to launch.

Mafia: The Old Country doesn’t chase trends. Instead, it leans into what made the original games memorable—story, character, and setting. By returning to its roots, the franchise feels fresh again.