Mafia: The Old Country gameplay trailer gives off major Red Dead Redemption 2 vibes—and I’m all in

Mafia: The Old Country brings out the tales of the old with the newest horse-riding features and classic shoot-em-up adventures. The gameplay trailer alone gave me major Red Dead Redemption 2 vibes, with dusty trails, tense standoffs, and that gritty cinematic charm. And honestly, I’m loving this new approach.

While past Mafia games were set in the modern era (loosely speaking, since they were set post-1930s), Old Country rewinds the clock to the early 1900s, right in the heart of Sicily. This era is strikingly similar to the period of Red Dead Redemption 2, which makes the comparison all the more fitting. Instead of the usual chase-and-shoot action, you’re now saddling up for some good old-fashioned gunslinging, trading the open world for a linear narrative. The Mafia charm is still there with vintage cars, but I’m curious how they’ll blend these with horseback gameplay.

As a longtime Mafia fan, it’s wild to see the series take on an outlaw approach with horseback riding, and I’m excited to see where this new direction takes us. Exploring the origins of the Mafia, outside the polished world of power and sharp suits, will be a fascinating shift. Mafia bosses have always been about loyalty and control, but I’ve always wondered what it was like before all that strength and polish.

Although you could make a lot of comparisons to Red Dead Redemption 2, Mafia: The Old Country still offers a lot that makes it stand on its own. In addition to the old-timey cars, players can engage in high-stakes knife fights, a new feature that brings a raw, personal touch to the action. Plus, it’s set in Sicily, which was only mentioned in passing in previous Mafia games. Even if we visited it briefly in Mafia II, Old Country lets us fully immerse ourselves in its world.

Mafia: The Old Country looks like a serious return to form after the poorly received Mafia III, which was criticized for its repetitive gameplay and lack of variety. With a fresh setting, a grittier tone, and a more dynamic approach, it could carve out a new space in the market. And while the Red Dead comparisons may be inevitable, this game might just ride alongside it, not behind it.