After nine years, a new Mafia has been released! Players are thrilled with the story and the excellent Czech dubbing

Today, Mafia: The Old Country (Mafia: Domovina in Czech), the fourth installment of the legendary Mafia series from Hangar 13 studio, was officially released. This time, the game takes us to the cradle of the mafia in Sicily at the beginning of the 20th century, where we experience the story of young Enzo Favara on his journey from a mining slave to a member of the Torrisi mafia family. After nine years since the controversial third installment, the series returns to its roots with a linear narrative and a strong emphasis on story.

What Reviewers Praise the Most

Practically all reviewers agree that the story is the game’s greatest asset. They describe the narrative of love, betrayal, and the journey to the top of the mafia hierarchy as cinematic, mature, and emotional. Impulsegamer even writes about “perhaps the best Mafia ever” and gives a score of 4.9/5. DualShockers (85/100) compares the game to “an Italian telenovela that makes you kick your feet in the air” and at the same time to “a ruthless criminal spectacle with performances worthy of A24 films”.

Huge praise is garnered by the technical execution and the atmosphere of Sicily. Reviewers describe the environment as “breathtaking,” “lively,” and “authentic.” Games.cz (8/10) highlights the detailed vineyards, cities, and nature, while German IGN appreciates that they haven’t seen such a beautiful virtual world since Red Dead Redemption 2.

A separate chapter is the Czech dubbing, which Kristýna Sulková from Vortex calls “a new peak of Czech game dubbing.” Oskar Hes in the main role, Ondřej Kokorský, Martin Donutil, and Nikola Heinzlová deliver excellent performances according to reviews. Furthermore, the game also offers Sicilian dubbing, which many consider the most authentic way to experience the game.

Main Criticisms from Reviewers

The biggest criticism is directed at the outdated and uninnovative gameplay. Stevivor (50/100) describes the gameplay as “average, usable, but not particularly fun.” The French Gamekult (70/100) expresses similar sentiments. Shooting, stealth sections, and knife fights are functional according to critics, but bring nothing new.

Several reviewers mention technical issues – transitions between cutscenes and gameplay often stutter, texture pop-in issues typical for Unreal Engine 5 appear, and sometimes limited animations during environmental interactions are bothersome.

Available Editions and Their Content

The Standard Edition for 1,299 CZK includes the base game for all platforms (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S). It is the most affordable way to experience Enzo Favara’s story.

The Deluxe Edition for 1,539 CZK is available only for PC and, in addition to the base game, adds bonus content: special outfits for Enzo, exclusive weapons including engraved variants, specially modified limousines, pendants for Enzo’s rosary, horse accessories, a digital soundtrack, and a collection of concept art with developer commentary.

The Limited Edition for 1,799 CZK is exclusive to Czech and Slovak players and available only for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S (not PC). It includes a physical disc with the full game, a special SteelBook with a unique black and white motif, and a 1000-piece puzzle that will not be available for separate purchase. This edition is available only in limited quantities.

Differences Between Versions for Individual Platforms

The game was released simultaneously on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The PC version offers the best graphics settings and support for high resolutions, including ultrawide monitors. However, reviewers point out the high hardware requirements – the game uses Unreal Engine 5, and a powerful graphics card is needed for smooth performance at high details.

Console versions run stably; PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X offer two graphics modes – Quality mode at near 4K resolution at 30 fps, and Performance mode at lower resolution at 60 fps. Series S has only one mode with dynamic resolution around 1080p at 30 fps. All versions support ray tracing.

Final Summary

According to most reviewers, Mafia: The Old Country is a worthy return to the series’ roots. It excels with a strong story, authentic Sicilian atmosphere, and high-quality production, including Czech dubbing. On the other hand, it disappoints with uninnovative gameplay and technical shortcomings. With an average rating of around 80%, it is a solid game for series fans and lovers of gangster stories, but it does not bring any revolution to the genre.

The game length ranges between 12-15 hours for the main story, which some praise as an ideal length, while others criticize it for being too short given the price. The game offers the option of free map exploration after completion, but lacks side activities typical of open-world games.

What do you think of the new Mafia?