Mafia: The Old Country Won’t Be Fully Open World
Mafia 3 was a turning point for the series and not in the way fans had hoped. While it had its moments, many longtime players felt it lost the essence of what made Mafia unique: grounded storytelling, cinematic pacing, and tight mission design. The sprawling open world of Mafia 3 was ambitious, but to many, it felt more like a distraction than an evolution. Now, it looks like the developers agree and they’re making a major course correction with Mafia: The Old Country.
A Return to Mafia’s Story-Driven Roots
In a recent interview with IGN, the team at Hangar 13 revealed that Mafia: The Old Country will ditch the fully open-world design seen in Mafia 3 in favor of a more linear, story-first approach. The decision isn’t just a creative choice, it’s a direct response to community feedback.
Players made it clear that Mafia 3’s open world, with its repetitive side content and bloated map, took away from what the series did best: telling a tight, character-driven crime story. It’s a lesson the devs took to heart.
Learning from the Past
While both Mafia 1 and Mafia 2 featured large maps you could drive through, they were never really “open-world games” in the modern sense. Missions played out in a set order, side content was minimal, and the focus was always on the narrative. And yet, those games are still beloved, particularly the 2020 Mafia: Definitive Edition, which fans praised for staying true to the original’s structure.
It’s clear that Hangar 13 wants to recapture that magic. As they put it, “not every game needs to be GTA,” and Mafia fans seem to agree.
What to Expect from The Old Country
Set in 1900s Sicily, Mafia: The Old Country serves as a prequel to the original trilogy. You’ll step into the shoes of Marco Vitale, a young man pulled into the early days of organized crime in the Italian countryside. The game blends stealth, action, and narrative in a way that prioritizes immersion over sandbox freedom.
While not a true open world, the game will still feature large, explorable areas, just without the filler. Think of it as a handcrafted, mission-focused experience that keeps the pacing tight and the stakes high.
Perfect Timing?
Interestingly, Mafia: The Old Country might also benefit from the ongoing delay of GTA 6. With Rockstar’s crime sim not expected until late 2025 or beyond, there’s room on the calendar for a more grounded, focused mobster experience. For fans of narrative-driven games, that’s a welcome contrast.
I think it’s going to be just like Mafia: Definitive Edition. You’ll have an open world to explore, but there won’t be anything to do. The game world was completely empty of side missions, you could only drive around and nothing else.