The open-world crime genre has seemingly stagnated in the modern age, with upcoming releases likeMafia: The Old Countryeven pivoting away from the old-school,GTA-inspired antics of its predecessors. But whileMafia: The Old Countrymight stand out from previous entries by virtue of its linear, mission-based structure, it still has a strong chance to be the bestGTA 6replacement of 2025.
Grand Theft Auto 6was initially slated for a 2025 release date, threatening to annihilate its competitors' chances of success during its release window. Indeed, countless developers adjusted their games' launch dates in accordance toGTA 6’s predicted release window, so momentous is Rockstar’s upcoming crime extravaganza. But it’s been pushed back to 2026 now—something that a lot of gamers saw coming a mile away—leaving an opportunity for those aforementioned competitors to scramble for greater relevance, sales, and overall success. WithMafia: The Old Countrystill planned for a release this August, perhaps it could wind up filling the Miami-sized hole left behind byGrand Theft Auto 6.
Mafia: The Old Country Could Be the Next Best Option for Expectant GTA 6 Fans
Mafia: The Old Country Is a Cinematic Crime Drama, Much Like GTA 6
As its name suggests,Mafia: The Old Countryis a prequelto the originalMafiatrilogy, taking place in early-20th-century Sicily and exploring the origins of organized Italian crime. Players assume the role of Enzo Favara, an impoverished youth seeking success and honor within the Cosa Nostra. Through Enzo’s eyes, Hangar 13 promises to deliver an engaging, tense narrative inspired by classic crime films likeThe Godfather. This could very well make the game appealing toGTAplayers, especially those who come to the franchise for its dramatic blockbuster storytelling more than its over-the-top open-world antics.
Mafia: The Old Country’s focus on non-American culture, poverty, and well-meaning ambition could put it in direct conversation with thesober and seriousGTA 4, more so than the colorful and bubblyGTA 5.
PreviousMafiagames aren’t exactly carbon copies ofGrand Theft Auto—their titular premise alone guarantees that—butThe Old Countrymight be even more differentfromGTA’s modus operandi. Of course, there’s the mission-based structure of the game, which stands in stark contrast to the open-world sandbox formula ofGTA. But there’s also the setting:Grand Theft Autois very much an America-centric game, satirizing the western superpower while celebrating its rich and diverse culture, albeit in a decidedly tongue-in-cheek fashion. WithThe Old Country, players will delve into the criminal underworld of a different era and geographic location, which may make it even more attractive toGTAfans.
Mafia: The Old Country Is Far from a GTA Clone, and That’s a Good Thing
The Old Country’s myriad differences from theGTAformulamight actually make it an even easier recommendation for those waiting onGTA 6. If it were simply a less ambitious, less hyped-up version ofGTA 6, with the same tonal leanings, open-world structure, and setting, then it would run the risk of feeling underwhelming. It would be compared to one of the most highly anticipated games of all time, after all.
Instead, thesimilarities thatMafia: The Old Countryshares withGTA 6, combined with its undeniable differences, might be what makes it a good amuse-bouche ahead of Rockstar’s next outing. It’s a story-driven crime game, but one that’s more rooted in reality and interpersonal relationships, rather than the absurd satire of theGTAuniverse. This means that it has enoughGTADNA to fillGTA 6’s void, but with the originality to stand on its own two feet.
Mafia: The Old Country
WHERE TO PLAY
Uncover the origins of organized crime inMafia: The Old Country, a gritty mob story set in the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily. Fight to survive as Enzo Favara and prove your worth to the Cosa Nostra in this immersive third-person action-adventure set during a dangerous, unforgiving era.This thrilling narrative is brought to life by stunning visuals, cinematic storytelling, and the authentic realism that the critically acclaimedMafiaseries is known for. Enzo’s story unfolds in a time when skill with a stiletto blade was a deadly asset, aluparasawed-off shotgun was a go-to firearm, murderous vendettas raged for decades, and mafiosi patrolled their protection rackets on foot, horseback, or behind the wheel of turn-of-the-century motorcars.Through grit and determination, Enzo has survived a childhood of indentured labor in Sicily’s hellish sulfur mines. Now, through a twist of fate, he has the opportunity to join Don Torrisi’s crime family, and will do whatever it takes to carve out a better life for himself.By swearing an oath, Enzo has committed himself to the Torrisi family’s code of honor, with all the power and hardship it entails. He must never forget this simple truth:Family Takes Sacrifice.
