Mafia Devs Talk Reviving the Series’ Roots – IGN First
▼ Summary
– Mafia: The Old Country returns to a linear, narrative-focused design inspired by the first two Mafia games, moving away from the open-world approach of Mafia III.
– The decision to adopt a linear structure was influenced by positive player feedback on Mafia: Definitive Edition, which highlighted the appeal of shorter, story-driven experiences.
– The game uses Unreal Engine 5 to enhance visual quality, focusing on cinematic storytelling and detailed environments like the Sicilian landscape.
– Stealth and knife combat are key gameplay elements, with the knife system designed to reflect the protagonist Enzo’s resourceful background and Sicilian criminal history.
– The prequel setting in 1900 Sicily offers a fresh story arc while maintaining connections to the franchise’s universe, with authenticity in language and cultural details.
The upcoming Mafia: The Old Country marks a deliberate return to the franchise’s narrative-driven roots, according to Hangar 13 studio president Nick Baynes and game director Alex Cox. In a recent interview, the developers explained how player feedback and internal creative vision shaped this prequel’s tighter, more focused design compared to Mafia III’s open-world approach.
Baynes emphasized that story completion rates were a major consideration when structuring the game. “People love finishing these stories,” he noted, referencing the strong emotional payoff of earlier linear Mafia titles. Cox added that fan reactions to 2020’s Mafia: Definitive Edition reinforced the team’s decision to prioritize a cinematic, chapter-based structure reminiscent of the first two games.
Shifting away from sprawling open-world development allowed the team to refine every detail. “We call it a polished gem,” Baynes said, highlighting how a narrower scope enabled deeper attention to combat mechanics, environmental storytelling, and character performances. The move to Unreal Engine 5 further elevated the game’s visual fidelity, particularly in rendering Sicily’s landscapes and leveraging MetaHuman technology for lifelike facial animations.
Gameplay innovations include a knife-combat system tied directly to protagonist Enzo’s backstory. “It’s not just a melee weapon, it’s an extension of his survivalist mentality,” Cox explained. Players will manage blade durability, use knives for stealth takedowns, and even engage in scripted duels inspired by Sicilian history.
Authenticity extended to voice acting, with Italian actors like Ricardo (Enzo’s performer) ensuring dialect accuracy. The prequel setting, early 1900s Sicily, provided fresh lore opportunities while maintaining ties to the series’ broader universe. “It’s a new starting point,” Baynes said, hinting at future installments.
When pressed about the game’s abundance of meticulously rendered fruit, both developers laughed. “We’re confident it’s the best-looking fruit in gaming,” Cox confirmed.
Mafia: The Old Country launches with a $50 price point, aligning with the runtime and polish of earlier series entries. For fans craving a return to the franchise’s tightly crafted storytelling, this prequel aims to deliver.
(Source: IGN)
