The first gameplay trailer for Mafia: The Old Country has hit, showing fans what kind of game they’re going to be getting. Anyone familiar with the series already has some idea of what will be present here, but there are some surprises seen in this trailer. It looks like 2K Games is going to release a quality title this year.
Considering how long it’s been since Mafia 3, it will be interesting to see how The Old Country feels when we eventually get our hands on it. The setting is unique, teasing a time when cars were still new and horses were still a vital part of transportation. 2K Games is doing a lot with this period story, and it could shine because of that.
So, here’s our first impressions of the gameplay seen in Mafia: The Old Country.
The Stealth Looks Smooth, But Optional
Having stealth gameplay in a Mafia title is nothing new, but what we’ve seen looks pretty smooth. Assassinations look more immediate, and the areas shown appear to offer more places to hide. Interestingly, it seems like the stealth might be optional, because your character just starts shooting all over the place after some knife stabs.
Optional stealth is never a bad thing, though we’re sure some areas will prioritize that feature more. If a whole group of enemies has guns, we imagine that taking them all down won’t be easy. Either way, it looks like Mafia: The Old Country has options for players.
Race Cars and Horses
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+ 2Fans of the first Mafia might be traumatized by seeing an old-timey vehicle here, but they look faster and easier to use this time. More importantly, they won’t be the only form of transportation in this game, as horses are still used frequently. Based on the time period, it’s clear that horses are still more common, and that could lead to interesting missions.
We wouldn’t be surprised if Mafia: The Old Country surprises fans with set pieces where you chase down cars with horses. They also tease that you can shoot guns while riding a horse, giving this game some Red Dead elements. Overall, the action continues to impress.
Melee Combat Looks Really Good
click to enlarge + 2The final sequence of this trailer has a really well-choreographed fight scene that looks like actual gameplay. We imagine that this is going to be the case, since guns and knives won’t always be available. Each punch looked and sounded painful, as did the counters, so there’s plenty to look forward to here.
Improving combat will definitely make fans notice Mafia: The Old Country, even if they aren’t fans of the series. Considering how long it’s been since we’ve seen an entry, witnessing electric fist fights like that would get eyes on the screen. It might not be over-the-top, but that realism could end up working to this game’s advantage.
Those are our initial gameplay impressions of Mafia: The Old Country. Like previous games in the series, it should offer a fascinating look at this time period with a great story. Gameplay hasn’t always been this series’ strong point, but that could change with The Old Country.