Open-World Structure
Explore the origins and evolution of organized crime across decades and cities.
The Mafia series is an action-adventure franchise set in open-world environments that model real American or Italian cities. Each game focuses on a protagonist involved with organized crime, completing missions to progress a linear story while also offering side activities and a Free Ride mode in most titles.
Lore & Background
The series began with Mafia (2002), set in the fictional Lost Heaven during the Great Depression. Mafia II (2010) takes place in Empire Bay from 1945 to 1951. Mafia III (2016) is set in 1968 New Bordeaux. Mafia: Definitive Edition (2020) is a remake of the first game. Mafia: The Old Country (2025) is a prequel set in 1900s Sicily. The games follow different protagonists—Tommy Angelo, Vito Scaletta, Lincoln Clay, and Enzo Favara—who become involved with the Mafia.
Reader's Guide
Players complete missions in an open world, but the series is more linear than other open-world franchises like Grand Theft Auto. Most games include a Free Ride mode for triggering missions from the world. Mafia: The Old Country features more linear gameplay with a focus on storytelling while maintaining an open-world structure.
Did You Know?
- The first game was originally titled Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven during pre-release.
- Mafia II's story begins in 1945 and ends in 1951, not extending into the 1960s.
- Mafia III's Definitive Edition includes all three story-driven DLC packs.
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Elsewhere in Mafia
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