Mafia’s Legendary Races Finally Feel Fair

Every veteran of the Mafia series knows the dread: when a new entry drops, fans hold their breath waiting for the infamous “one-wrong-move” race that turns controllers into flying projectiles. Thanks to slippery physics and ruthless AI, those missions felt like an initiation by fire. With Mafia: The Old Country, though, developer Hangar 13 has done something remarkable—acknowledged the pain and delivered two races that are challenging yet always fair. I’ve never enjoyed lacing up Enzo’s boots so much.

A Brief History of Mafia’s Racing Woes

Back in the original 2002 Mafia, the climactic car chase through Lost Heaven’s streets became the stuff of legend—for all the wrong reasons. You dodged explosive barrels, juked enemy cars, and cursed every sticking corner. The 2020 remake toned it down, but the reputation stuck: “prepare to rage-quit” became a community mantra. Racing in the series has always been about spectacle over fun—until now.

How Mafia: The Old Country Fixes the Formula

Hangar 13 introduces two very different but equally polished races this time around. Early on, Enzo finds himself in a Palio-style horse race—a heartfelt nod to Sicily’s storied tradition. Instead of punishing pixel-perfect inputs, the emphasis is on timing and narrative beats. You feel the thundering hooves, the roar of the crowd, and the weight of family honor, all without hair-trigger steering.

Later, in Chapter 7, Enzo swaps saddle for steel, jumping into an American hot rod for a gritty street showdown. Rivals jostle for position, shortcuts demand quick decisions, and the engine growls beneath you—but generous checkpoints and predictable handling mean you never lose hope. I cleared it clean on my first attempt, and that sense of flow carried the story forward instead of halting it.

Context: Ditching the “Ultimate Trap”

Alongside racing headaches, longtime fans dreaded the so-called “ultimate trap”—those scripted QTEs and rigid set pieces that ripped control away at pivotal moments. Early hands-on previews confirm Mafia: The Old Country has sidestepped this narrative bottleneck. A key infiltration chapter unfolds at your pace, letting you sneak, intimidate, or probe environmental puzzles without forced cutscenes. In a franchise built on immersion, handing control back to players is a small change with huge impact.

Community Cheers the Change

The reaction has been immediate. At launch, the game holds a 76 Metacritic score, making it the second-highest in the series behind the 2020 remake. Critics praise its balance of cinematic drama and gameplay freedom, while fans on Reddit and Discord are sharing screenshots of smooth race finishes instead of rant memes about broken checkpoints. “This is the first time I breezed through a Mafia race,” remarked one user on the official Discord. That shift in tone says it all.

Why This Matters for Story-Driven Games

In narrative adventures, races and set pieces should heighten tension and advance the plot—not inflate frustration. By dialing back artificial difficulty spikes, Hangar 13 welcomes newcomers while respecting series veterans. This move aligns with a broader industry trend toward smarter mission pacing, optional difficulty sliders, and more player agency. When players feel in control, story moments land harder and richer.

Looking Ahead: A Blueprint for the Franchise

After two decades of racing infamy, it’s thrilling to see Mafia: The Old Country get it right. The dual approach—mixing a cinematic horse race with a grounded hot rod pursuit—proves that fun and narrative depth can go hand in hand. If future entries follow this blueprint, prioritizing fair challenge and seamless immersion, the Mafia franchise could become a leading example of player-first design.

Conclusion

Mafia: The Old Country doesn’t just remove a long-standing grievance; it sets a new standard. With two story-driven, accessible races and the elimination of frustrating control-snatching sequences, Hangar 13 has shown that listening to feedback can elevate both gameplay and storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned capo or a newcomer curious about Sicilian mob life, these races are finally worth the ride.