Justifying Mafia: The Old Country’s lack of an open world, the dev blamed it on Mafia 3, which failed to meet expectations

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In a fresh YouTube video, IGN shares their experience playing Mafia: The Old Country for three hours and discusses the reasons behind the developers’ choice to opt for linear gameplay instead of an open world. Here’s the link if you want to check it out.

Culprit is Mafia 3

It’s likely that fans of the Mafia series are aware that Mafia 3 didn’t fare particularly well in terms of success. On Steam, it received “mixed” reviews, while Metacritic users gave it an average rating of 5.4 out of 10. Notably, compared to its predecessors, Mafia 3 offers a wide-open world teeming with side activities that can be undertaken between main missions.

The outcome of this decision wasn’t entirely satisfactory, and a lot of fans voiced their disapproval due to the shift away from the traditional gameplay format. As reported in IGN, Hangar 13 acknowledges these criticisms and feels that an open-world setting doesn’t align with the series. Consequently, they chose to revert back to the original style of play. Furthermore, it was implied that the successful reception of the initial Mafia remake played a role in this decision as well.

In retrospect, both players and developers agree that while Mafia 3 was excellent, its transition into a fully open-world game wasn’t quite in harmony with the original Mafia series.

As a game enthusiast, diving into the immersive world of Mafia: The Old Country, I find myself traversing a meticulously crafted, linear journey instead of an open-ended exploration. This narrative-driven experience guides me through the intricate corners and hidden gems of Sicily, offering a richly detailed adventure that keeps me captivated.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-58413

Remaining info

The game primarily revolves around Enzo’s narrative, showing his transition from an uncorrupted child to a mafia insider throughout the gameplay. IGN pointed out that even after three hours of play, it didn’t seem like the story was nearing its conclusion, suggesting that this won’t be a brief game. But keep in mind, it also won’t be an extended, 30- or 40-hour journey.

The visuals were highly appreciated for creating a striking impact – the bright blue sky and lush greenery effectively convey the charm of Sicily. The game includes horseback riding experiences, offering multiple breeds to choose from, each displaying unique traits and temperaments.

In the training, significant importance was given to mastering knife combat, which involves various techniques like thrusts, slices, or deflections. Conversely, it’s generally accepted that gunfire is acceptable, even though it may not be as impressive, it reliably gets the job done.

The game includes an additional layer of strategy, allowing for tactics beyond just crouching quietly and avoiding detection. You can use objects to divert foes and then finish them off silently with a chokehold or knife. Moreover, it will feature intricate levels, such as infiltrating a villa, where the player has multiple options for approaching and entering the building.

Mafia: The Old Country will be released on August 8th, on PC, PS5, and XSX/S.

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2025-07-16 12:02