Mafia: Of The Old Country (2025)



 Mafia: The Old Country

“Be careful… Enzo.”

“If everything burns along the way, what is the cost of that ambition?”

“God forgive me…Get out if you can… Get out.”
-Mafia: The Old Country

To be honest, I never thought rosary beads would be this impactful in a video game. That was probably not what you were expecting, so let me start from the beginning. Mafia: The Old Country is the fourth game in a series chronicling the rise and fall of organized crime throughout history. The Mafia games are somewhat unique in the realm of open world game experiences as their worlds are mostly designed to emphasize the characters, themes and ideas of a linear narrative, rather than facilitate the freedom of player choice.
Mafia: The Old Country wonderfully maintains this narrative approach, granting us a richly layered story brought to life in a densely populated world of beauty, power and greed. The journey of Enzo Favera from the depths of the sulfur mines of Sicily to the heights of the Torrisi crime family. Mafia: The Old Country is an interactive narrative done to precision. Helped all the more by engaging mechanics conveying a deep knowledge of the relationship between player and narrative.
Here we return to the rosary beads. In recent memory, the last time I experienced such a well orchestrated understanding of mechanics and narrative was in the original Assassin's Creed. Though Enzo's rosary beads supersede the time traveling wonders of the Animus in one particular way. Enzo's rosary makes you rethink your actions throughout the entire game. Let me put it this way, as Enzo's story reaches its climax you begin to realize that these beads, which you've been using mechanically to upgrade Enzo's abilities, hold something far deeper than just a chance to gain more power. Instead, they are a thematic manifestation of our human tendency to use religion and faith as a justification for horrific action.
Intentional metaphor not, with these rosary beads and holy metals developer Hanger 13 has granted us something profound in the realm of the Mafia mythos. We are given a concise and powerfully resident moment where we come to realize that no depth of conviction can justify misusing faith for our own gain. God is not a vending machine, especially when our actions are not reflective of a morally upright life.
It's not an easy task to find a fresh and engaging avenue into the narrative richness of the Mafia. Though, Mafia: The Old Country succeeds in reigniting our fascination with organized crime, while also offering a nuanced and deeply layered examination of its many sins. Publisher 2K Games and developer Hanger 13 awaken this sleeping engine of crime, taking us back to early 20th century Sicily. Where we discover the real meaning of family, and the hope that comes from true love and sacrifice.

Rated M 17+ for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol

I found Mafia of The Old Country to be visually enthralling, thematically rich and thought-provoking. I hope in some way you do too.

Mafia: The Old Country can be purchased on Windows PC, as well as on Xbox Series and PS5 video game consoles.

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