Mafia: The Old Country - Man of Honor review

I’d say I was surprised by Mafia: The Old Country last year, but I feel like that would be doing it a disservice. I had a good feeling about it as we saw media coverage release, and it culminated in an 85/100 score from me at launch. It’s an underrated and quite possibly underappreciated game, which is why I was thrilled at the expansion announcement during Summer Game Fest. Now that I’ve put my made man clothing back on as Enzo and completed those chapters, I’m yet again delighted by The Old Country, making for a good second trip to Sicily.

Man of Honor starts after Chapter 5 of The Old Country, essentially right after Enzo becomes a part of the family and gets his own place. It’s easy to access, dropped right onto the main menu. Enzo is tracking down a former Torrisi associate – Andrea – who has been stealing from the family. While the interlude is pretty cut and dry, the themes of integrity (I know that sounds funny in a Mafia game) run deep as you take down Andrea and go around to make collections.

Mafia: The Old Country review — An offer I can’t refuse

Although Mafia: The Old Country doesn’t redefine third-person action games, the narrative more than makes this a must play

GAMINGTRENDDavid Burdette

This introduction leads into the Immacolata festival, where the Don Torrisi is generous with both friends and scoundrels and their requests. It also leaves him in a bad mood, because who wouldn’t be having to listen to people drone on about stuff they want from you for hours on end? As Enzo arrives at the Don’s office, a certain visitor also enters. You may find him familiar if you’ve engaged with the Mafia series before – Ennio Salieri, the eventual Don in the first game. He’s gotten out of prison (from a job he pulled under the eye of the Don), and due to keeping his mouth shut while there about Don Torrisi’s operations, he feels he’s owed a favor. In keeping with the tradition of the day and the loyalty displayed, Don Torrisi sends Enzo and Cesare with him to exact revenge on two of his crew who have stolen his money after he went to jail.

What ensues is a meaty quest where you dispose of these hoodlums… who may or may not be as dirty as Salieri makes them out to be. I say that more in regard to Salieri himself, who might have been a friend of the Torrisi clan, but comes off as ruthless and self-centered. I’m sure that’s the intention of the character; after all, he’s the main antagonist in the original Mafia. That said, you sometimes see greater depth in these kinds of exploratory episodes, and Salieri’s attitude is one of a man who only cares about what can benefit him while being able to sweet-talk his way to favor.

There are several moments that have great payoff, including seeing Luca and Isabella again. While Luca’s cameo is much shorter, Isabella’s is a great addition that brings flavor to the relationship dynamic she and Enzo have at this point. Cesare gets the most screen time as a regular companion, and it makes the game’s ending all the sadder to again see their bond on display.

Don’t go into Man of Honor expecting a gameplay revival. The mechanics and systems are more or less the same, but that’s not a bad thing. I really enjoyed The Old Country’s blend of action and stealth, and even if it was bland at times, it’s still solid overall. The final mission is arguably the strongest, with Enzo and Cesare joining Salieri for a big score you’ve discovered over the course of this expansion. There’s also a great chase scene that ends the second part – you’ll know what I’m talking about when you play it. At any rate, I’m surprised at the density of what’s available; it took me roughly three hours to finish it. That’s not bad in the slightest for ten bucks.

The campaign segment isn’t the only thing included either. Free Ride is Mafia: The Old Country’s open-world free-roam mode, and while bare at launch, it has seen a lot of work go in since. I almost didn’t recognize it; Hangar 13 has put in a lot of effort to transform it into something closer to what you’d want in side-questing.

Added to the map in this expansion are a run of missions given by Salieri himself at a port warehouse, fresh challenges and jobs, and a lot of extra discoverables. For instance, there are Wanted Posters of enemies to track down, Stunt Jumps if you’re feeling froggy in a vehicle, and even Sulfur Trucks to destroy run by Salieri’s enemies. Given these are open-world activities, they can get a tad redundant, but I appreciate the inclusion as the $10 is already worth it for the story content. The Free Ride stuff is icing on the cake.

Beyond just this is a bunch of new items, with guns, knives, cars, horses, and much more. I only encountered a few things in my playthrough, and this is the only area where The Old Country stumbles. None of the content felt impactful, but I’m not sure if this is the kind of game where that kind of weight can be delivered. I’d have liked to see something a bit more experimental in weapons or vehicles personally.