Mafia: The Old Country will be adding a special, free-roaming game mode that ties the recently released crime-based action-adventure game to its turn-of-the-century roots. Free Ride mode will be coming to Mafia: The Old Country as part of a free update planned for release sometime in the next few months, and it will give players a unique perspective on the game once they're finished with its story.
Released on August 8, Mafia: The Old County has had a modest start, with 64 percent of critical reviews on OpenCtitic giving it their recommendation and its peak concurrent player count on Steam sitting at just over 35,000 players. Among the game's most celebrated traits are its engaging early 20th century-based Sicilian mafia story and memorable characters. It has been criticized for its gameplay feeling dated, but an upcoming feature may resurrect some sense of nostalgia among longtime Mafia fans.
Mafia: The Old Country Doesn’t Reinvent the Wheel, and That’s Okay
Mafia: The Old Country's gameplay and mechanics don't bring anything new to the table, but that definitely isn't a bad thing.
Mafia: The Old Country is Getting a Free Ride Mode
An announcement on the game's official Twitter account heralds the return of Free Ride mode to the latest entry in the Mafia franchise. First debuting in the series' first game in 2002, the game mode has a long history with the Mafia franchise. In its original incarnation, it served as an exploratory free-roaming mode, letting players enjoy the game's world without being restricted by missions. The original Free Ride gave protagonist Tommy Angelo access to his armory of weapons, garage full of cars, and wardrobe options, letting players have a lot of customization as they search for hidden secrets and explore the world at their leisure.
It's not clear how closely this newly announced version of Free Ride mode will reflect the original version. While it will likely give players more freedom to explore the various locations in Mafia: The Old Country, the announcement on social media also states that some new "activities and gameplay" are on the way, and it seems to indicate that they'll be tied to this new game mode. While avoiding any story-based missions, the original Free Ride mode allowed Mafia players to access certain driving activities and challenges, so it's possible that those features will make a return in the 2025 game as well.
Unlike previous entries in the series, Mafia: The Old Country was not designed as an open-world game, so the ability to roam around it freely should be a benefit for players seeking a more authentic experience. Still, the announcement of Free Ride is confusing some players, as the game already comes equipped with a free-roaming exploration mode called Explore Mode, which allows them to gather collectibles and earn trophies and achievements without the restrictions of the game's story.
Mafia: The Old Country
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 74 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
