The Anticipated Prequel
Mafia: The Old Country, developed by Hangar13, is set to captivate players with its release on August 8, 2025. Serving as a prequel to the renowned series, the game takes players back to early 20th-century Sicily. It tells the story of Enzo Favara, a Sicilian orphan and miner, embroiled in the intricate tapestry of Mafia machinations.
A Quality Experience Awaiting
The game promises adrenaline-fueled chases featuring retro automobiles and horse-riding, alongside stealth missions and hand-to-hand combat. With beautifully crafted cinematographic sequences, the developers have deviated from an open-world format, favoring a more structured narrative approach.
Regional Limitations and Release Strategy
While Mafia: The Old Country prepares for its grand debut, the policies of publisher Take-Two have led to its exclusion from the Russian market. Gamers in Russia can, however, bypass these restrictions through digital store workarounds, such as altering their Steam region or creating new accounts. Current average prices on marketplaces stand at approximately 4,000 rubles, with a potential rise anticipated at release.
The Denuvo Defense
Integral to the immersive gaming experience, Mafia: The Old Country incorporates Denuvo's anti-piracy protection, confirmed by its Steam page. This technology has a storied history, having defended Mafia: Definitive Edition until Take-Two removed it after a year. Presently, the robustness of Denuvo makes it more challenging for 'взлом' to occur swiftly, suggesting torrents emerging could be delayed until mid-2026, at the latest.
Comparing Timelines
To provide context, the time taken to crack other Denuvo-protected games varies significantly. Hogwarts Legacy was cracked in 13 days, Resident Evil Village in 64, while Red Dead Redemption 2 took 351 days. Within the Mafia series, the range spans from the release day to 20 days later, underscoring the unpredictable timeline of piracy penetration.
