Return to Empire Bay: Mafia's Update Overhauls Driving, Cranks Up the Heat

Getaway Driver: "Mafia: The Old Country" Update Adds First-Person Driving, Classic Difficulty, and More

Good news for mobsters and getaway drivers! Hangar 13’s "Mafia: The Old Country" is getting a hefty free update on November 20th, and it sounds like it’s going to inject a whole lot more replayability into the already compelling narrative.

Return to Empire Bay: Mafia's Update Overhauls Dri...

Remember those days in the original "Mafia" games, just tooling around the city, causing mayhem, and generally living the life of a low-level hoodlum? Well, this update aims to recapture that spirit, with a modern twist. Forget just mindlessly wandering; this "Free Ride" mode, as Content Manager Peter Amato explains on the PlayStation Blog, is structured around challenges.

Think combat encounters, stealth missions, and

Think combat encounters, stealth missions, and various race types that'll test your skills behind the wheel (and with a Tommy gun). The best part? Completing these challenges earns you "Dinari," an in-game currency you can spend on new outfits, weapon charms, and even vehicles. I'm already picturing myself rocking a pinstripe suit while tearing through the Sicilian countryside in a souped-up coupe.

These aren't just random challenges thrown in either. They're cleverly integrated into existing locations from the story missions, offering a fresh perspective on areas you've already explored. And, tantalizingly, Amato hints at new areas to discover. "…that’s something you’ll have to discover for yourself…" he teases. Consider me hooked.

But that's not all, folks. The update also brings something the "Mafia" series has never seen before: first-person driving! Finally, we can truly feel the rumble of that engine and the wind in our hair (assuming our character has hair, that is). And for the masochists among us, a new "Classic" difficulty setting will make the game even more challenging.

Frankly, it’s a smart move

Frankly, it’s a smart move. "Mafia: The Old Country," while generally well-received, was arguably a bit too linear for some. This update throws open the doors and encourages players to explore and experiment.

It seems Take-Two, the parent company of 2K, is pretty pleased with the game's performance too. CEO Strauss Zelnick recently teased a bright future for the "Mafia" franchise, noting that "The Old Country" exceeded expectations. While concrete details about a potential "Mafia 4" are still scarce, the fact that Take-Two is already greenlighting more content for "The Old Country" suggests they're committed to the series' long-term success. I, for one, am definitely on board. Let's just hope this update is a sign of good things to come. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some virtual cars to steal and some Dinari to earn...