Hangar 13, the creators of the iconic Mafia series, have unveiled a new gameplay trailer for Mafia: The Old Country. Set to release on August 8th, the trailer offers an extended preview of the game’s realistic, turn-of-the-century setting, as well as a closer look at its intense combat system.
As mentioned during the game’s initial reveal, Mafia: The Old Country returns to the franchise’s rustic roots, featuring a Sicilian backdrop from the early 1900s. Players take on the role of Enzo Favara, a young Picciotto determined to rise through the ranks of the Cosa Nostra. Working under Don Torrisi, Enzo embarks on missions that seem to weave a classic mob story filled with themes of honor, loyalty, and perhaps, revenge.
The gameplay trailer showcased Mafia: The Old Country’s rural Italian settings, complete with dirt roads, quaint villages, and picturesque countryside. While the serene landscape provides a beautiful backdrop, players will mostly be disrupting it—whether by chasing enemies on horseback, exploring ancient cisterns, or engaging in thrilling high-speed pursuits in early 20th-century motorcars. The game’s aesthetic complements its focus on being an origin story for the infamous mafia.
The combat in Mafia: The Old Country seems to stay true to the series’ roots, with a focus on over-the-shoulder, third-person action. Players will use small-caliber weapons like pistols and classic Double-Barrel Shotguns for firepower. However, melee combat has been enhanced Enzo can sneak up on enemies and use his trusty stiletto blade to take them out, or throw it at them like a weapon in a Call of Duty lobby. Additionally, combat sequences can unfold during horseback chases, adding more variety to the gameplay.
A press release accompanying the new trailer revealed key details, with the most notable being that Mafia: The Old Country will not be an open-world game, emphasizing the series’ shift back to its narrative-driven roots. In line with this, Hangar 13 President Nick Baynes shared the following statement:
“Mafia: The Old Country is a focused, linear experience that combines quality storytelling, authentic era immersion, and a refined take on the familiar Mafia gameplay.”
Another key detail comes from 2K President David Ismailer, who stated, “We believe there’s a large audience for compelling stories that don’t require massive time commitments.” He further explained that The Old Country “can easily complement other more persistent games our players enjoy and engage with regularly.” Considering the game’s $50 price tag, it seems likely that its runtime will be relatively short, potentially around 9-10 hours, similar to the first two entries in the franchise.
This isn’t necessarily a negative, though. Moving away from open-world excess in favor of a more focused, linear narrative is a strategy many games could benefit from. However, we’ll have to wait until Mafia: The Old Country launches in August 2025 to see how it performs.
Does the $50 price tag make you eager to pick up the game on day one? Let us know in the comments below.
