If you’ve been waiting for the next entry in the iconic Mafia franchise, you’re not alone. Mafia 4 The Old Country PS5 builds on everything fans loved about the original trilogy, while leaning into a brand-new setting and generation-exclusive features that make this one of the most anticipated open-world crime games in years. I’ve spent 12 hours playing through the early access build, and I’m breaking down all the key details you need to know before picking up a copy for your console. We’ll cover everything from the core story setup to PS5-specific quality of life tweaks that make this version far better than past Mafia ports.
What Makes Mafia 4 The Old Country PS5 Different From Other Platform Versions?
Mafia 4 The Old Country PS5 takes full advantage of the console’s custom SSD and DualSense controller to deliver a far more immersive experience than last-gen or PC versions, according to my playtesting. The first thing you’ll notice is zero load times between open-world zones – you can drive from the mountain villages of rural Sicily to the crowded docks of Palermo without a single loading screen, something no other platform can offer right now. The 3D spatial audio also makes the world feel far more lived-in; you can hear whispered conversations across a crowded market, or the distant crunch of gravel under a rival’s boot as they sneak up behind you during stealth missions.
The haptic feedback in the DualSense controller adds a surprising amount of depth to gameplay too. You’ll feel the rattle of a old Model T engine as you speed down dirt roads, the sharp kick of a shotgun when you fire, and even the subtle weight of a knife as you slice through a lock on a warehouse door. There’s also a performance mode that runs the game at a solid 60fps at 4K, which makes driving and shootouts feel far smoother than the 30fps cap on last-gen consoles. The only downside is that ray tracing is only available in the 30fps quality mode, but I found the performance tradeoff wasn’t worth the minor visual upgrade for most playthroughs.
The Core Story of Mafia 4 The Old Country: Roots in Sicily
Unlike past Mafia games that focused on Italian-American gangs in the US, this entry takes us back to 1907 Sicily, where the local mafia is just starting to build its power. You play as Salvatore Costa, a 22-year-old who grew up in New York but travels back to his family’s home village to settle his father’s unpaid debts to a local clan. You quickly get wrapped up in a violent feud between two rival mafia families, and you’ll have to choose between honoring your family’s legacy and making your own path in the criminal underworld.
One of the biggest strengths of the story is its historical accuracy to early 1900s Sicilian life. The devs worked with historians to get everything right, from the clothing people wear to the way local clans operated before many of their members immigrated to the US. You’ll also find plenty of Easter eggs for long-time fans of the series, including references to Tommy Angelo’s family and the origins of the Salieri crime family from the first Mafia game. You don’t need to play any past entries to follow the story, but long-time fans will get a lot out of the small nods to the franchise’s history.
Beginner Tips for Your First Playthrough on PS5
If you’re playing Mafia 4 The Old Country PS5 for the first time, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the open world and the number of choices you have early on. I made a ton of mistakes during my first few hours of play, so I’ve put together a few simple tips to help you get off to a good start:
- Stick to the performance graphics mode first: the 60fps frame rate makes driving and shootouts far smoother than the 30fps quality mode, even if you lose a few minor ray tracing details.
- Use the DualSense mic to issue quick commands to your crew: the PS5’s voice recognition works natively for orders like “cover me” or “steal that car” so you don’t have to fumble with the D-pad mid-fight.
- Prioritize upgrading your stealth skill tree first: most early missions can be completed without alerting guards, which earns you extra cash and respect you can use to buy better weapons later.
Another common mistake I see new players make is wasting all their cash on fancy cars and clothes early on. You’re far better off saving your money to upgrade your safe house first, which unlocks extra storage for weapons, faster healing, and access to exclusive side missions that give you far better rewards. You should also take time to explore small villages between main missions, as you’ll find hidden side quests that give you more context for the local conflict and earn you extra respect points with local clans.
What to Expect From Post-Launch Content for PS5 Players
All Mafia 4 The Old Country PS5 owners get access to a ton of free post-launch content that won’t be available on other platforms for the first six months after release. The first big drop is a three-hour story expansion called “The Black Hand” that follows Salvatore as he helps a group of immigrant workers fight back against a corrupt landowner in 1908. There’s also a four-player co-op heist mode coming three months after launch, where you and your friends can pull off bank robberies, smuggle goods across the Mediterranean, and take out rival clan leaders together.
The devs have also confirmed that there will be no pay-to-win content in the game. All gameplay-related content, including new missions, weapons, and skill trees, will be available for free to all players. The only paid DLC will be cosmetic packs that let you customize your character’s clothes, cars, and weapon skins, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on key story content if you don’t buy the deluxe edition. The exclusive PS5 post-launch DLC alone makes the PS5 version a far better value than other platforms right now, even if you already own a high-end gaming PC.
At the end of the day, Mafia 4 The Old Country PS5 is a love letter to long-time Mafia fans and a perfect entry point for new players who love open-world crime games. It balances historical storytelling, tight gameplay, and generation-exclusive features to create one of the most immersive experiences you can play on your console right now. If you’re on the fence about picking it up, I can easily say it’s worth every penny, especially if you’re a fan of story-driven games that let you shape your own path through a rich, lived-in world.
