I appreciate that some may find this blasphemous, but open-world isn’t the only way to make a game feel bigger, better, and more immersive. Sometimes, linear really is better, and Mafia: The Old Country is about to prove exactly that.

Set in the unforgiving underbelly of 1900s Sicily, The Old Country drops the urban sprawl of New Bordeaux and Empire Bay in favor of something leaner, sharper, and more focused: a richly cinematic crime saga centered on the rise of Enzo Favara.

And while this shift away from sandbox freedom might raise a few eyebrows, in our opinion, it could be the best thing to happen to Mafia since Tommy Angelo first slid behind the wheel. Here’s why.

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Mafia: The Old Country’s Linear Direction - A Bold Step Forward

Let’s face it: Mafia was never GTA. Sure, Mafia II and III gave us cities to explore, police systems to toy with, and an extent of player freedom. But as detailed as Empire Bay and New Bordeaux were, they felt somewhat more like elaborate backdrops than living worlds.

The Old Country ditches filler content and checklist side quests. Instead, it gets down to what Mafia does best: telling a gripping, grounded story that doesn’t get lost in a sea of map markers.

A Narrative That Waits for No One

At its core, Mafia: The Old Country is about survival, sacrifice, and blood-soaked ambition. It’s a tale of one man’s brutal climb into the heart of the Cosa Nostra, told through a tightly directed lens. By abandoning the open-world sprawl, Hangar 13 dictates the tone, tension, and character, and it doesn't waste a second.

Enzo’s world isn’t for dawdling. Every choice carries weight, and every scene pushes the narrative forward. That kind of pacing would be impossible in a modern open-world sandbox, where you’re free to ignore urgent plotlines if you feel like stealing a car or picking some flowers. The story doesn’t wait for you in The Old Country; it pulls you through.

A Richer, More Immersive Setting. No Bloat

That's not to say The Old Country skimps on atmosphere. Quite the opposite. From blood-streaked alleyways to sun-drenched vineyards, opera houses to crypts, San Celeste and its surrounding countryside feel alive with historical grit. Not because they are explorable in a sandbox sense, but because they set the scene for a cinematic tale.

Every environment serves a purpose. Every location feeds into Enzo’s journey. There’s no filler, no fluff—just a razor-focused story that makes you feel like you’re living through a lost chapter of The Godfather, with a blade in your hand, and blood on your cuffs.

Combat and Drama Over Collectibles and Climbing

So, what does this mean for gameplay? Firstly, don't expect climbing systems or mini-games. We're talking more period-authentic combat and raw, tactile tension here.

From stealth takedowns with a stiletto to face-offs with a lupara shotgun, the violence in The Old Country is close, personal, and cinematic. It's a curated gameplay design in which developers know exactly when, where, and how to put you on edge.

Time to flee or chase down a target? Instead of fast traveling across a massive map, you’ll likely gallop through olive groves or tear through cobbled streets in a motorcar — with every pursuit rooted in the moment. The setting matters here, and there's no room to dilute the experience through off-script endeavors.

A More Refined Mafia Experience

In stepping away from the open-world format, Mafia: The Old Country isn’t shrinking its ambition—it’s refining it. It’s choosing story over scope, weight over width, and purpose over padding.

If you're approaching the game expecting a GTA-style crime sandbox, you may be disappointed. But if you’re in search of an intense, unforgettable journey through the blood-stained roots of organized crime, The Old Country might just be the tense and cinematic Mafia experience you’ve been waiting for. It's certainly piqued our interest.

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