A mode that brings back memories – and leaves questions unanswered
Fans of the Mafia series can breathe a sigh of relief: with a free update, Mafia: The Old Country will soon be getting a Free Ride mode. Developer Hangar 13 confirmed the expansion on Steam, but did not reveal any details about its exact scope. All that is known is that new activities and additional gameplay content will be integrated. A specific date has also yet to be announced, which is only fueling the excitement in the community.
Fans of the series will immediately be reminded of “Mafia: Definitive Edition,” where this mode already caused quite a stir. There, players could stroll freely through the city, take on optional missions via pay phones, or put the pedal to the metal in street races. Small extras such as taxi rides, dynamic weather, and freely selectable times of day were also part of the package back then.
Whether all of this will return in “The Old Country” has not yet been confirmed. Hangar 13 is keeping quiet and only talking about “new activities” – enough fuel for wild fan theories.
Accompanying the announcement, Hangar 13 revealed exciting statistics that show how intensely the community has already experienced the game. Mafia: The Old Country has been watched for over three million hours on Twitch – a figure that underlines the title’s enduring fascination. Players themselves have eliminated around 185 million enemies and fired an incredible 600 million shots.
Virtual money has also been flowing freely: ten billion dinars have changed hands so far – some legally, some through less honorable means. The health of the characters has also been taken care of: 17 million bandages have been used. Sales figures have not been disclosed, but the scale of these usage figures speaks for itself. One thing is clear: the free-ride mode will appeal above all to players who are looking for new challenges beyond the story – and that seems to be exactly what Hangar 13 has in mind. The studio plans to provide further insights into mechanics and features before the release.
