By Most pleased with linear narrative
This week, there was an outpouring of enthusiasm for developer Hangar 13 when it revealed that Mafia: The Old Country would eliminate its open world format and concentrate on a “linear, narrative-focused” gameplay experience instead.
In the past, companies like Take-Two might have concealed this information. However, as games have become larger and more time-intensive, there’s a growing demand for more straightforward, shorter experiences.
To be fair, the company has adjusted its pricing accordingly: the Sicily-set adventure will retail for $49.99/£44.99 at launch, significantly less than the $79.99 titles which are expected to be the norm.
Most of you seem to appreciate this shift: in a Push Square survey, an impressive 64% indicated they were pleased that the game is not open world. Only 19% expressed a desire for a sandbox, while the remaining 18% were indifferent.
It’s also worth highlighting that Mafia has consistently approached its open worlds differently compared to GTA, with the exception of Mafia 3, which faced criticism for its repetitive gameplay layout.
The earlier Mafia titles featured what is informally characterized as a “faux-pen world” – a substantial but largely non-interactive environment meant for travel from point A to B. While they were undeniably atmospheric, they added little to the overall experience.
In this age of inflated development budgets and endless production cycles, it is indeed refreshing to see a studio recognize its boundaries and streamline its offerings. Would it be thrilling to navigate early 1900s Sicily? Absolutely – but that would require significant resources and time. We’re content with a reasonably priced, story-driven experience.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has demonstrated that the market can accommodate more budget-friendly, well-defined experiences. Let’s hope Mafia: The Old Country continues to impart this lesson to the industry, and that Hangar 13 is acknowledged for their thoughtful approach on this sequel.
[source News: Mafia: The Old Country Ditches Open World for Linear, Story-Based Gameplay on PS5]
As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analyzing the PlayStation ecosystem, from the PS3 through to the PS5 and everything beyond. He possesses expertise in PS Studios and market trends, alongside sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he finds the time to engage.