Mafia: The Old Country, a return to the roots for a legendary franchise
, by Quentin
This August 8, developers Hangar 13 and publisher 2K Games will bring back an iconic video game franchise. We're talking, of course, about Mafia.
It's on this date that Mafia: The Old Country, the fourth entry, will land on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. After a Mafia III with mixed results that struggled to convince gamers and the specialized press alike, the license once again has everything to prove. But first, let's take a look at the complete story on the series.
Mafia, the birth of a work that will mark the PlayStation 2 era
We're talking about a time that no one under twenty can possibly know. It's 2002, and Mafia appears on PC, then two years later on PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
The game plunges you into the heart of the 30s underworld as Tommy Angelo. You discover the impressive world of Lost Heaven and the city's most charismatic characters.
It was a great success for the Illusion Softworks teams, but we'll have to be patient to discover the next title in the series, which is certainly the most popular to date: Mafia II.
After the PlayStation 2 era, Mafia II reigns on the Xbox 360 generation
Almost ten years later, in 2010, Mafia is back with a second opus for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. The wait was worth it, to say the least. The game takes advantage of the technological possibilities of the time, offering us an adventure as gripping and immersive as ever, with impressive graphics for its time.
It has renewed its very positive reception, from both the public and industry professionals, thanks to a world as masterful as ever, a strong, bloody story and very well-written characters.
This time, you play as Vito Scaletta, in the heart of the 40s, in a city called Empire City, inspired by San Francisco and New York. You'll see him rise through the ranks in a city torn between three Mafia families.
Unfortunately, after two undeniable critical successes, a shadow appeared a few years later.
Mafia III, loved by some, hated by others...
We had to wait six years to see a new Mafia, with a third entry that was more than controversial.
Released on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Mafia III stands out from the other titles in the saga. We play Lincoln Clay, whose family has been decimated by the Italian mafia. His sole objective: to take revenge and wage war against them.
Here we are, plunged into the heart of the 60s, a twenty-year leap from the previous game. Unfortunately, the sixties ambience is tarnished by major finishing problems. Mafia III is terribly repetitive, riddled with technical glitches and boasting a shoddy AI. It's a far cry from the technical mastery of previous games.
This was reflected in the critical reception, both among gamers and in the specialized press. Nevertheless, Mafia, Mafia II and Mafia III managed to generate sales of over 14 million worldwide.
Mafia: The Old Country, the big return (to the roots?)
On August 8, gamers will be able to discover the great comeback of the series after years of silence. We'll be immersed in a prequel to this universe, exploring the ruthless world of the Cosa Nostra, in Sicily, at the heart of the 20th century.
After Mafia III, the developers know they're in for a tough time, but they've opted for a cautious approach. The story may be more linear, but it's also shorter and more controlled. There's no question of overloading the content at the risk of losing the narrative impact: they want to get straight to the point, to offer a memorable experience.
The first images are so really appealing, and the beloved atmosphere of the first entries seems to be back in spades. One thing's for sure: the wait is now almost over before we can get our hands on it.
What do you think of the Mafia franchise? Which was your favorite entry and why? Tell us in the comments below!