Old Country dials down the experience compared to the bloated open world of Mafia III and goes for something much more linear, but exploration remains a treat as a result. It does, however, clash with video game must-haves such as the player’s “Instincts” that let them highlight stuff in the environment.

The Old Country trading in the series' rambling, aimless maps for a strict focus on its main plot, it's only that it hadn't been done sooner. It's ostensibly the clear right move, cutting out the cruft to concentrate on the mob tales that have always been what people actually like about these games.

The fourth Mafia game is a prequel to the whole series, set in Sicily at the turn of the 20th century, and featuring some amazing graphics and performances.

I spent the majority of the game feeling like I was doing a series of disassociated side quests.

Mafia: The Old Country is currently popular in the UK games sales charts, and the previously released Mafia Trilogy also made an appearance in 37th place just above Dragon's Dogma 2 and Pokémon Violet.

With The Old Country entering "Completed" status on many players' dashboards, discussions are already taking place about the game's ending and where things could be headed next. T