Among the assorted franchises within the gaming business – energetic, inactive, hated, never-was – Mafia all the time stands out within the strangest methods. The primary recreation developed by Phantasm Softworks arrived in a post-Grand Theft Auto 3 period and delivered an unimaginable narrative with out attempting to leap on the open-world bandwagon. And but, the sequel took a whopping eight years to launch. Opinions weren’t practically as optimistic, however for many who waited a very long time for a follow-up (and a few readability on that scene from the top), it was sufficient.
Enter Mafia 3, this time launching six years after the second. A brand new period, a brand new metropolis, a brand new story that existed effectively sufficient by itself (with a couple of good callbacks) – the franchise appeared poised for a correct revival. And but, regardless of the compelling narrative and beautiful visuals, it was marred by repetitive mission design, tacked-on open world and intensive efficiency points. The truth that it went on to promote greater than seven million copies by March 2020 is noteworthy as a result of, for the longest time, one other follow-up appeared not possible.
9 years later, Mafia: The Previous Nation is formally right here on Xbox Sequence X/S, PS5, and PC. The turnaround from its announcement in August 2024 to launching lower than a yr later is spectacular, even when Hangar 13 really confirmed the sport was in improvement way back to 2022. However one of the best half is that it’s fairly good.
The Previous Nation is a triumph in that regard as a result of it delivers so effectively on the sequence’ premise – an action-adventure title that captures the lifetime of a mafioso. Which earlier entries have executed as effectively in their very own methods. So what makes this so particular?
To begin with, it’s a prequel, set in 1900s Sicily. Not solely is it iconic in the true world, with a wealthy historical past of real-world mafia households and conflicts, however the location in query, San Celeste, carries nice significance to the sequence. It’s the place Tommy Angelo was born, the place an incident brought on the ruination of his father and finally shifted his total household to America. It’s additionally the place Vito Scaletta fought in Mafia 2, the place he witnessed Don Calò successfully saving the lives of him and his males. So many characters’ lives are intertwined with San Celeste, and we lastly get the possibility to discover its streets and the encompassing countryside.
It might all be for nought if the precise story and characters weren’t price it. Nonetheless, after all of the criticism towards the earlier recreation, Hangar 13 really went again to the franchise’s roots by delivering a linear narrative with a deal with characters. Their personalities and feelings, the internal turmoil that drives them and finally creates battle, and the way the darkness inside contrasts with the beautiful locales. Enzo Favara is a succesful protagonist in all this – somebody who went from struggling within the mines as an indentured laborer to getting into the world of crime as a part of the Torrisi. Whereas it’s a robust alternative to make one thing of himself and climb the rungs as a part of one thing greater, it’s additionally an obligation. With out Torrisi, Enzo can be nowhere, which he’s reminded of on multiple event.
It helps that the Don is charismatic and respectable sufficient, a minimum of on the skin, to command that type of dedication. The remainder of the forged is equally as compelling, together with Luca, an underboss and mentor, and Cesare, Torrisi’s nephew, who struggles to earn respect whereas constructing a friendship with Enzo. As occasions take a flip in San Celeste, their tales grow to be all of the extra compelling. Good writing in video video games will get you invested within the characters and the world, however nice writing rewards you for doing so. Suffice it to say that The Previous Nation fulfill the latter, making us want for one of the best for its forged even when pleased endings are just about non-existent within the franchise.
With the historical past surrounding the city and such well-crafted characters, it’s seemingly a dream come true for long-time followers, particularly those that yearned for one thing extra akin to the primary two video games. Nonetheless, making a prequel set earlier than the principle trilogy is good as a result of it serves as an important jumping-on level for newcomers. It’s successfully the beginning, and whereas these with current information will probably get essentially the most out of it, you’ll be able to get pleasure from The Previous Nation as its personal story. The truth that the worth is simply $49.99 additional lowers the barrier to entry.
After all, the gameplay can also be essential, and whereas it could not essentially break from action-adventure conventions, Hangar 13 has added fairly a bit. The setting lends to firearms like revolvers, shotguns, and rifles taking priority over automatics, however ammo continues to be scarce. Knives are a key a part of the fight and tradition, which facilitates new duels the place ducking and weaving by an enemy’s assaults is the important thing to victory. Better of all, they’re woven in naturally with the story, avoiding what I wish to name “Batmobile syndrome” (if you understand, you understand).
Even past that, The Previous Nation provides a stunning quantity of depth to its knives with differing kinds that lean into particular playstyles, perks, and so forth. Their efficiency means giving some actual thought to stealth, however sturdiness means considering fastidiously about which of them to lean on and for what functions. When issues get uncontrolled and lead begins flying, the gunplay sticks to the tried and true cover-based taking pictures that you simply’ve seen many instances over, however it’s nonetheless well-executed.
That being stated, this isn’t an expertise for everybody. The story isn’t dozens of hours lengthy, and, as famous in our evaluate, it may have used a bit extra time on the finale. Regardless of the beautiful world and Discover Mode for basking in all of the beautiful monuments and metropolis streets, there isn’t tons of content material to unpack. There’s additionally the matter of efficiency, which is all the time a quandary for Unreal Engine 5 titles. All of it comes all the way down to optimization, and most builders working with the engine have been flailing in that regard for the higher a part of this yr.
Nonetheless, saying this “isn’t an expertise for everybody” may be seen as a energy. Mafia: The Previous Nation makes no bones about what it’s attempting to perform, and it excels in lots of these elements. It’s an gratifying narrative but additionally a robust start line for many who need to get into the franchise. In the identical vein, it reminds us why we fell in love with the unique whereas increasing on its gameplay in new, thrilling methods.
Will it edge out Sport of the 12 months contenders like Clair Obscur: Expedition, Blue Prince, Loss of life Stranding 2, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2? Most definitely not, however it stands amongst them in relation to a constant, well-executed imaginative and prescient. On this period the place many corporations haven’t wizened as much as the perils of stay service and pattern chasing, and the place greater continues to be seen as higher (particularly in relation to the sum of money allotted to the price range), it’s good to be reminded of the virtues of a extra targeted title. An expertise that’s one and executed, offering your cash’s price, and delivering an gratifying expertise whereas it lasted.
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