Mafia: The Old Country Follows in Starfield’s Footsteps, But Not in a Good Way

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The long-awaited game, Mafia: The Old Country, has finally arrived and offers players an immersive experience filled with crime-ridden drama set against stunning landscapes. Although it might not revolutionize the gaming industry this year, its compelling aspects make it a worthy addition to your playlist. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, Mafia: The Old Country is particularly captivating due to its authentic early 1900s Sicily setting that stands out.

In a surprising twist, the historical crime drama “Mafia: The Old Country” and futuristic open-world game “Starfield,” which seem worlds apart in terms of genre, share a similar challenge with long loading times. While the games differ significantly in content, they both struggle with this aspect to some extent.

Mafia: The Old Country and Starfield Both Struggle With Slow Loading Times

One of Starfield’s Most Notorious Problems

Ever since Bethesda released Starfield in 2023, there’s been a widespread feeling that this expansive space exploration game hasn’t quite reached the heights many anticipated. Critics have pointed out issues such as an underpopulated world and limited replay value, which are further exacerbated by its lengthy loading times. The game is riddled with loading screens, and given its intent for extensive exploration, these frequent interruptions become tiresome. As soon as you dive into the game, a loading screen appears, dampening the excitement built up beforehand.

Initially, the creators of Starfield intended for it to receive yearly expansion packs. However, following a less-than-favorable response to its initial DLC, Shattered Space, they have not disclosed plans for a second one as of now.

Mafia: The Old Country’s Loading Time is an Improvement, But Not By Much

Although Mafia: The Old Country loads faster than Starfield, frequent load points disrupt the flow of the story, sometimes slowing down its pace. Interestingly, these loading screens present issues for two distinct reasons. For one, the loading screens in Starfield give an impression that its vast world is confined, while in contrast, the frequent load times in Mafia: The Old Country make the narrative seem less fluid than it could be.

Even though games have evolved significantly over time, loading times can still hinder an excellent game from reaching greatness, which is unfortunate. In Mafia: The Old Country, where the story is its most captivating aspect, prolonged loading periods during immersive moments create a frustrating experience.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed that both Starfield and Mafia: The Old Country boast swift load times, but under the hood, they run on different engines. Starfield is powered by Creation Engine 2, while Mafia: The Old Country harnesses the mighty Unreal Engine 5 for its performance.

Despite its Slow Loading Times, Mafia: The Old Country is Still a Fun Time

Mafia: The Old Country” isn’t revolutionizing the gaming world right now, but it boasts a powerful narrative with reliable, though predictable, mechanics. Following a modest debut, “Mafia: The Old Country” has the potential to build momentum, given its merits. It’s been quite some time since we last saw a mainline “Mafia” game, and the series deserves to reach its full capability.

For enthusiasts of historical fiction, Mafia: The Old Country stands out as a compelling choice due to its captivating backdrop – the game is set in early 1900s Sicily, which is a highlight.

If you’re on the hunt for an engaging story with memorable characters that doesn’t drag on, give “Mafia: The Old Country” a try. Although it might struggle with some performance problems that seem outdated now, if you can overlook the occasional load times, you’ll find yourself immersed in a captivating universe.

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2025-08-12 02:58