Mafia: The Old Country uncovers the origins of organized crime on August 8

Hey everyone, Mafia Game Director Alex Cox here. On behalf of the team at Hangar 13, we’re thrilled to unveil our new Gameplay Trailer for Mafia: The Old Country. 

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With so many in-game details to pore over, I wanted to take this opportunity to offer some extra insights into all of the exciting action we just revealed. Here’s a breakdown on some of the finer details we’ve packed into each scene of the trailer:

As our protagonist, Enzo Favara, rides out after receiving orders from Don Torrisi, you may notice the striking contrasts between the various environments of 1900s Sicily on display. From dirt roads flanked by rural villages to dark catacombs, ornate mansions, and more, the game’s distinctive setting includes a wide variety of richly detailed locales – all authentically overlapping in a way unique to this rapidly changing time period. We were spoiled for choice when deciding which visually stunning vistas would serve as the lifelike backdrop for our gritty crime drama.

Following Enzo as he descends into an ancient cistern, you’ll get a closer look at Mafia: The Old Country’s grounded, era-appropriate combat – including a brutal showcase of Enzo’s stiletto blade in action. After quietly dispatching the guard outside, Enzo distracts the next patrolling enemy before burying a knife in his neck. Spotting another guard nearby, he hurls his blade, silently killing him from range – a moment too late as others are alerted.

Even as the situation erupts into a tense firefight, this encounter highlights how gameplay blends stealth with guns-blazing combat. Each approach complements the other, creating a scrappier, more resource-strapped experience. Enzo may have missed two shots, but with the help of his knife and an explosive lantern, he clears the room using only four bullets. A core pillar of Mafia: The Old Country’s combat design is the idea that “every bullet counts” – so think twice about relying solely on your firearms!

Next, a fiery match cut brings us to another franchise staple: white-knuckle driving. This time, Enzo is behind the wheel of a turn-of-the-century motorcar – barreling down the same rough dirt roads once worn in by horses. These vehicles handle with the weight and quirks you’d expect from a vintage car, but you can still count on plenty of thrilling driving gameplay. Across the entire Mafia series, we’ve always taken pride in tuning our in-game vehicles to authentically capture the feel of older automobiles – and the cars in The Old Country are no exception. 

Blasting into another bloody gunfight, we double down on Mafia: The Old Country’s “every bullet counts” philosophy in a slightly different context. After taking down a nearby enemy, Enzo misses his next shot and is left with just two rounds in his revolver. Rather than hanging back to reload, he drops into cover and swaps to a shotgun for a close-range exchange. Making every bullet count isn’t just about scrounging for ammo; sometimes, aggressively pushing forward is the smarter tactical choice – or even essential to your survival. Mafia veterans will feel right at home in these adrenaline-fueled shootouts, and we know that added edge of danger will resonate with long-term fans of the franchise.

And while it’s easy to focus on the action in this sequence, let’s not overlook the incredible setting: the sumptuous banquet hall of an opera house. This stunning scene showcases the visual enhancements we have been able to achieve since switching to Unreal Engine 5. The new toolset has allowed our team to fill environments with more detail than ever before, perfectly complementing the game’s more realistic approach to combat.

Of course, exciting gunplay and chases won’t be limited to on-foot or driving sequences – you’ll also need to take the reins on horseback. Pursuing or battling enemies on the road might involve horses, cars, guns, or any combination of the three – yet another example of how Mafia: The Old Country’s unique setting opens the door to fresh twists on the kind of action you know and love.

Finally, the last section highlights how Mafia: The Old Country takes knife combat to a whole new level with one-on-one duels. Inspired by Sicilian knife-fighting traditions, these lethal encounters unfold at pivotal moments in the story – when Enzo has to put his life on the line for the Torrisi crime family. It’s a gripping new way for our hero to get up-close and personal with his enemies and for us to deliver the life-or-death gameplay fans expect.

There’s so much more I could say about this rich crime drama, but I can’t possibly give more details without further breaking Omertá. That said, you’d do well to keep your eyes peeled for more info in the coming weeks.

The team and I can’t wait for you to experience Mafia: The Old Country when it launches on August 8. The game is available for pre-order now on PlayStation 5.