Mafia: The Old Country focuses on short duration and total quality

In an industry saturated with endless games, Hangar 13 has made a decision that's causing a stir. Its next major release, Mafia: The Old Country , won't be a 50- or 100-hour title , and that's exactly what many gamers were hoping for. The studio has confirmed that this new installment will be "very similar in length and scope" to Mafia: Definitive Edition , a game that can be completed in just over 10 hours.

And in recent years, a constant debate has arisen among gamers: is a long experience more worthwhile, or a short, well-executed adventure? Enzo Favara 's story, set in mid-20th-century Sicily, seems to favor the latter. In the studio's words: "We like to tell dramatic, cinematic stories without filler. Mafia: The Old Country is that."

The reactions have been swift. On networks like X , some players have already expressed their support for this more direct approach. “I loved the Mafia remaster. No wasted time or filler. I'm in,” commented one user. Another stated: “That's a great length for this type of game.”

These comments reflect a shift in perceptions of the value of video games . For many adult gamers, with less free time, a compact, well-told story is more valuable than a giant map filled with repetitive tasks.

However, not everyone is satisfied. Other users have expressed that they expected more content for the €50 the game will cost . Comments like, "No way would I spend my money on something so short" have also appeared. In response, the president of Hangar 13 stated, "The cost of the game shouldn't concern anyone. It's a AAA-quality experience."

This point is key to understanding the studio's strategy: they prefer to offer a memorable and polished story , rather than adding artificial content that unnecessarily lengthens the runtime. Mafia: The Old Country isn't intended to compete with open-world titles with hundreds of hours of gameplay, but rather to position itself as an interactive film that leaves its mark.

Returning to a linear narrative isn't a regression, but a choice. In a market dominated by games like Assassin's Creed or Red Dead Redemption 2, where content is measured in hours, Mafia: The Old Country aims to be the game you finish... and remember.

With its release confirmed for August 8 , fans are already counting down the days. And while there are no exact figures yet for episodes or cinematics, the promise is clear: a story of crime, betrayal, and power set in a Sicily that promises to be as vibrant as it is dangerous.

Will it be short-lived? Maybe. Will it be unforgettable? Hangar 13 is determined that it will be.