Mafia: The Old Country shows potential with its return to a linear narrative structure and its setting in the picturesque Sicilian countryside, moving away from the urban settings of previous titles in the series. While the game boasts stunning visuals and a dedicated Sicilian dub, it ultimately falls short of its ambitious premise. The storyline, while entertaining, is predictable and lacks the twists that could have made it memorable.
The game introduces players to the character of Enzo, whose journey begins with a promise of grandeur as he enters the world of organized crime led by Don Torrisi. However, the gameplay quickly becomes repetitive, primarily revolving around mundane tasks such as traveling from point to point, with basic enemy engagements. This linearity fails to engage players, lacking variety or meaningful challenges.
Unlike prior entries, Enzo’s character employs stealth techniques, favoring close-quarters combat with knives. While stealth mechanics can sometimes add intrigue, here they feel simplistic and unchallenging, with a straightforward approach to enemy encounters. On the flip side, gunfights provide a more exhilarating experience but lose their excitement quickly due to lack of variety in combat scenarios.
The game attempts to introduce engaging boss fights, but these encounters often fall into predictable patterns, not offering enough differentiation to keep players invested. Even though the developers have strived for a unique knife combat experience distinct from the usual firearm use, this innovation doesn’t overcome the broader shortcomings present throughout the game.
Despite the beauty of the Sicilian landscapes and the engaging cutscenes, most of the gameplay experience feels underwhelming. The Old Country, while not a bad game, lacks the captivating elements that could elevate it beyond being merely satisfactory. For players and fans of the mafia genre, it serves as a reminder that not all revisiting of past storylines leads to a richer gameplay experience; sometimes, progress requires looking ahead rather than dwelling in familiar territory.