Summary
Take-Twoand developer Hangar 13 have blown the lid off ofMafia: The Old Countryat PAX East. To start,the game will release on August 8, and in a surprising twist, it won’t be a full-priced title, instead coming in at a very consumer-friendly $49.99. Not only that, butvia a new gameplay trailer, fans were able to get a glimpse of horseback riding, stealth and gunplay elements.
Following the full-scale reveal, Hangar 13 also reaffirmed that Mafia: The Old Country will not be an open-world experience,something that was first alluded to back in December.
Mafia: The Old Country Is Embracing The Franchise’s Roots
In an FAQ shared on the game’s official website, Hangar 13 confirmed that the game will be a “linear, narrative-driven” experience. In other words, you won’t be driving around wiretapping junction boxes like in Mafia 3.
In a press release, 2K President David Ismailer provided further insight into the decision-making process.
“We think there’s a large audience for compelling stories that don’t require massive time commitments,” Ismailer said. “We’re excited to offer a game like Mafia: The Old Country in our portfolio, and to provide a linear, highly-polished narrative experience that can easily complement the other more persistent games our players also love and engage with on a more consistent basis.”
That last part is particularly noteworthy, with the team recognizing the sheer number of titles that are pulling gamers in different directions, including live-service games that end up resembling a full-time job.
The sentiment was echoed during the game’s PAX East panel, with creative director Alex Cox noting that the approach was inspired by the reaction to the Definitive Edition release. “These games are made for you to complete,” he said. “We want you to finish them.”
Between the lower point of entry and now news about the game’s length and approach, it seems like Mafia: The Old Country is hitting all the right notes to be a success. Come August, we’ll see if they can stick the landing.
