Organized crime drama "Mafia: The Old Country" set for August release, no light-hearted references to business propositions.
Cracking Open the Past: Mafia: The Old Country, a Fresh Mafia Tale
Let's dive headfirst into the lore of Mafia: The Old Country, the latest entry in the underground empire that is the Mafia series, developed by Hangar 13 (excluding the remake of the original Mafia). This game, folks, is coming sooner than we thought—August 8 marks our date with Sicily!
If you've forgotten about the last time Hangar 13 was on your radar, you're not alone. A little while back, they embarked on a significant reduction in staff, leaving many puzzled. But enough about the past; it's time to get our heads in the game that's really cooking—Mafia: The Old Country!
Remember Mafia 3? It wasn't exactly an all-time classic, but it threw a curveball. Instead of yet another conventional mafia yarn, it starred Lincoln Clay, a charismatic African-American veteran stuck in a New Orleans replica. Though it eventually toppled into rumdrum open-world routine and repetitive revenge quests, it had the potential to tell a unique mafia tale.
In Mafia: The Old Country, we're hopping off the tracks of New Orleans and hopping over to the exotic landscapes of Sicily in the early 1900s. The promise of clunkier guns, slower cars, and good ol' horseback riding has me itching for adventure!
Want to know what's got me yawning? Nick Baynes, Hangar 13's big cheese, describing the game: "Mafia: The Old Country is a focused, linear experience that combines quality storytelling, authentic era immersion, and a refined take on the familiar Mafia gameplay. This focus allows us to deliver a story that's gritty, grounded, brutal, and emotional. Embracing early 1900s era Sicily, this is a mafia origin story that follows our protagonist, Enzo Favara, as he takes the oath and works his way up Don Torrisi's crime family."
Despite the suggestion that it may skim over the open-world monotony that plagued the last game, this premise feels a little stale. It brings back memories of the perennially faithful mafia anti-hero, with a similar emphasis on loyalty, honor, and obedience.
Hangar 13 and 2K are making quite the ruckus about this being a compact, story-driven game, rather than an epic hand-eye-trap. 2K's president, David Ismailer, puts it this way: "We think there's a large audience for compelling stories that don't require massive time commitments." With cynics like myself wagging our fingers, this could be seen as a butt-covering move in light of potential flops, but hey, who wouldn't love a shorter walk though the criminal underworld?
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Fraser Brown, a British Bloke with a Big Mouth
Fraser, the UK online editor of PC Gamer, has met The Internet in person. With over a decade under his belt as a freelancer, news editor, and prolific reviewer, he's wised up to the world of games. Strategy games are his passion, from mind-melting RTSs to engrossing political sims, and he's always game for a chat about Total War or Crusader Kings. When he's not editing the chaos, you can find Fraser banging out features that are 1,000 words too long or yapping about his fluffy pupper.
- The early 1900s era of Sicily, reminiscent of horseback riding and slower cars, is the exotic setting for Mafia: The Old Country, the latest game in the Mafia series.
- Reviews about the game suggest it will offer a focused, linear experience, different from the open-world games of the past.
- According to Hangar 13's big cheese, Nick Baynes, the game is designed to deliver a gritty, emotional, and authentic 1900s Sicily mafia origin story.
- Fraser Brown, the UK online editor of PC Gamer, is a fan of strategy games, particularly Total War and Crusader Kings.
- In an attempt to shorten the playtime for gamers, Mafia: The Old Country is being marketed as a compact, story-driven game.
- With its release approaching, gamers are sending their smartphones and gadgets prayers for an exciting addition to technology and gaming this season.
