Mafia: The Old Country Has a Shorter Story and a Smaller Price
2K and Hangar 13 have officially unveiled new details about Mafia: The Old Country, including a confirmed release date: August 8, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Alongside this announcement, fans also received a brand-new trailer showcasing combat and stealth gameplay, as well as a fresh batch of in-game screenshots and it’s clear the series is heading in a bold new direction by looking backward.
A Return to Mafia’s Narrative Roots
Mafia: The Old Country is a prequel to the original trilogy, set in early 1900s Sicily. The game follows Enzo Favara, a young man climbing the ranks of Don Torrisi’s crime family in a brutal, unforgiving world shaped by loyalty, violence, and tradition.
In a press release and developer interviews, Hangar 13 president Nick Baynes described the game as “a focused, linear experience that combines quality storytelling, authentic era immersion and a refined take on the familiar Mafia gameplay.” Baynes added that this focus allows the studio to tell a “gritty, grounded, brutal and emotional” story, a tone that longtime fans of the franchise will recognize and appreciate.
Not Open-World – By Design
In a December interview with IGN, Baynes and game director Alex Cox made it clear: Mafia: The Old Country is not an open-world game. While you’ll explore parts of 1900s Sicily – even on horseback – the game doesn’t feature an open map in the traditional sense. Instead, it adopts the mission-based structure seen in Mafia 1 and Mafia 2, prioritizing tight, cinematic storytelling over sprawling sandbox freedom.
This design choice also sets The Old Country apart from Mafia 3, a game often criticized for sacrificing narrative pacing in favor of open-world systems. Hangar 13 took that feedback to heart.
“Not every game has to be GTA,” Baynes said, a sentiment echoed by many fans who missed the series’ more focused origins.
A Shorter, Sharper Experience
2K President David Ismailer added context to the game’s structure, noting that Mafia: The Old Country is designed to deliver a strong story without requiring a massive time commitment. “We think there’s a large audience for compelling stories that don’t require massive time commitments,” Ismailer said. “This is a linear, highly polished narrative experience.”
This also explains the pricing:
– Standard Edition: $49.99 – includes the base game
– Deluxe Edition: $59.99 – includes two bonus packs, plus digital extras
Deluxe Edition and Pre-Order Bonuses
Standard Edition ($49.99)
– Full base game
– Pre-order bonus: Soldato Pack (Soldato outfit, Scannaturi Speciale knife, Tesoro horse & accessories, Lupara charm)
Deluxe Edition ($59.99)
– All of the above
– Padrino Pack: Lupara Speciale shotgun, Vendetti Speciale pistol, Padrino outfit, limo, horse gear, and more
– Gatto Nero Pack: Racing outfit, Bodeo Nero pistol, race car, charm
– Digital extras: Original Score + Artbook featuring concept art and dev notes
Both editions are available to pre-order now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).
A Strategic Release Window
The game also finds itself in a fortunate launch window: with GTA 6 now delayed to May 2026, Mafia: The Old Country no longer has to go head-to-head with Rockstar’s juggernaut. That gives Hangar 13 the breathing room it needs to connect with fans looking for a smaller-scale, story-first crime game.
Ubisoft has really spoiled people when people now read ‘OW game set in Sicily’ as ‘replicating the entire island’