Mafia: The Old Country brings players into the shoes of protagonist Enzo, following him on his journey from indentured servitude to being part of the Torrisi crime family. It's a compelling narrative filled with great characters, adding an extra layer to the Mafia series. When it comes to its gameplay, though, Mafia: The Old Country can be quite derivative in its approach.
Mafia: The Old Country doesn't really do anything new with its gameplay, but ultimately, that isn't what the prequel is about. The story is the star of the show, and while it excels in that regard, there is at least one feature that stands out that could work wonder for the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises: Skip Ride/Drive.
Mafia: The Old Country's Skip Ride/Drive Feature Could Benefit GTA and Red Dead Redemption in the Future
Mafia: The Old Country's story begins in the year 1904.
Skip Drive/Ride is One of Mafia: The Old Country's Most Useful Features
This isn't the first time that the Mafia series has included this feature. It was also part of Mafia: Definitive Edition, but its return in Mafia: The Old Country is bound to be welcome by players who prefer to get on with the game. Granted, these beautiful rides and drives through the Sicilian countryside are oftentimes breathtaking, but they can also grow stale over time. There comes a point where it's understandable for some gamers to grow impatient with the long treks between points of interest.
Even with Mafia: The Old Country's small map, these trips can still feel lengthy, and for those familiar with GTA and Red Dead Redemption, this is just a taste of how long journeys can feel. Over the years, Mafia has been one of the closest a franchise has come to capturing Rockstar's magic, but the developer still reigns supreme with its formula for GTA and Red Dead Redemption. However, traveling to and from missions can still be a pain at times, especially when one's eager to find out what happens next. Of course, there are moments during these travel-focused moments that offer important exposition or allow players a moment to breathe, but having the option to skip if one wants could offer the best of both worlds. Skip Ride/Drive may be upsetting to purists who believe long stretches of travel are essential to the experience, but the option is still a valuable inclusion.
GTA 5 allowed a form of fast travel via taxi cabs, but having the chance to be in one's own car and skip exposition-free moments would potentially be a stronger way to bring this choice to players. Many of the details regarding GTA 6 are still under wraps, and while it's less likely that the game will feature Skip Drive, it's not impossible.
Mafia: The Old Country's story spans between 10-12 hours on average.
Mafia: The Old Country's Gameplay is Lacking, But its Story Shines Through
Those searching for groundbreaking new gameplay won't find that with Mafia: The Old Country, but what they will find is a well-written narrative that is easy to get wrapped up in. Between the jaw-dropping location and the talent of the cast, Mafia: The Old Country uses its backdrop of Sicily to its full extent.
Red Dead Redemption fans looking for a fresh dose of historical fiction may love Mafia: The Old Country's setting, while GTA lovers are bound to enjoy its crime-centric world. When it comes to its story, Mafia: The Old Country is a diamond in the rough, and just because it doesn't do anything groundbreaking with gameplay doesn't mean it isn't worth diving into. Enzo's story is full of highs and lows, and for those who are eager to see the next chapter of the story, Skip Ride/Drive makes that possible.
Mafia: The Old Country
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 74 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
WHERE TO PLAY
Uncover the origins of organized crime in Mafia: The Old Country, a gritty mob story set in the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily. Fight to survive as Enzo Favara and prove your worth to the Family in this immersive third-person action-adventure set during a dangerous, unforgiving era.
Enzo will do anything for a better life. After a brutal childhood of forced labor, he's ready to risk everything to become a man of honor in the Torrisi crime family.
His oath to the Mafia, with all the power, temptation, and hardship it entails, is a burning reminder of this simple truth:
Family Takes Sacrifice.
This thrilling narrative is brought to life by stunning visuals, cinematic storytelling, and the authentic realism that the critically acclaimed Mafia series is known for. Enzo's story unfolds in a time when skill with a stiletto blade was a deadly asset, a lupara sawed-off shotgun was a go-to firearm, murderous vendettas raged for decades, and mafiosi patrolled their protection rackets on foot, horseback, or behind the wheel of turn-of-the-century motorcars.
