Mafia Prequel — Concerns, Game Features, Promotions, and More

The official release of Mafia: The Old Country is just days away. Pre-load has just gone live on PS5 (40 GB) — but some people have already managed to get their hands on physical copies. That means the risk of stumbling upon story spoilers online is now very real.

There are also a few other things that could affect the experience.

• Game media outlets did not receive early review codes. This means no previews — initial ratings will only surface on launch day. A red flag, as the same happened with the failed MindsEye (technical issues, reviews).
• The PC version will be protected by the anti-piracy tech Denuvo, which is infamous among gamers for hurting performance and putting unnecessary strain on systems.
• The game’s length hasn’t been officially revealed, but it was previously compared to Mafia: Definitive Edition, and is expected to last from about 10.5 hours (story missions only) to 13 hours (including side quests).

For the third week in a row, PlayStation has released a brand-new exclusive trailer for the new Mafia. Here’s more of what to expect.

• Three difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, and Hard. These affect protagonist damage, enemy accuracy, available resources, and car crash damage.
• Despite the lack of an open world, players will be able to explore various locations (San Celeste, Dorata Valley, Almaro Port, and more) right after the prologue. The developers plan to expand this mode later.
• Collectibles include: Notes, Newspapers (possibly the ones shared on social media, containing various world events), Saints’ Cards, and one more item (likely a statuette of Mary and baby Jesus). Finding them comes with rewards.

• There won’t be a photo mode, but at times the story will require you to take pictures with a camera.
• Knife usage is a core melee feature. The protagonist can only carry one at a time, so it’s important to consider each knife’s unique traits — some may, for example, restore health. Knives also have limited durability, which decreases with actions like lockpicking or stealth kills. There are three types of blades:
  • Scannaturi — less durable, but can be thrown;
  • Rasolu — capable of one-hit melee kills;
  • Stiletto — the most durable type.

• Cars are categorized into multiple classes. Each model has its own weight, power, top speed, and transmission (2, 3, or 4-speed), along with stat ratings for acceleration, braking, and grip (each rated on a 5-point scale).
• Besides races against other drivers, time trials will also be available.
• Horses feature swappable tack and have stats such as endurance and the number of times they can be spurred for a speed boost.
• In-game currency is called Dinari. It is earned during the story, dropped by enemies and found in lockboxes. It can be used to purchase vehicles, weapons, and outfits. There are no microtransactions or ways to buy Dinari with real money.

We’ve already heard a historian’s opinion. But what does a former mafioso think of the project? The game continues to be actively promoted. One of the usual marketing tactics involves sponsored press coverage. Hangar 13 representatives have shared plenty — though they often repeat themselves. Still, a few insights stand out.

• Development began immediately after the Mafia 1 remake was finished.
• The game is heavily inspired by The Godfather film series — especially the Sicilian segments.
• The dev team has many setting ideas for future titles: pre–WWI era, Las Vegas, Cuba, 1990s, and more.

A variety of promotions are also underway.

• Reddit users can enter a giveaway for 30 launch posters, 10 of which are signed by the dev team.
• Xbox players can win rewards just by watching a video: 3 custom-themed controllers with stands, and 25 gift cards worth $60 each.
• A unique collector’s bundle includes: dry lemonade jar for 25 servings and a branded shaker for $33.

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