TheMafiaseries is one of those gaming franchises that many people seem to know about yet lacks the popularity of its peers. It isn’t as big as theGrand Theft Autofranchise and lacksSaints Row’s unique sense of identity. Yet theMafiafranchise remains a valuable IP for publisher 2K and one that maintains a strong fan following.Today marks the 20th anniversary ofMafia’s release and 2K knows how to celebrate.Mafia: Definitive Editionwas met with mostly positive reviews, but the publisher wants to take gamers even further back. In a recent post on 2K’s official Twitter account, it revealed that the original version ofMafiawould be made available for free on Steam for a limited time. Gamers will be able to download the game from the digital platform from September 1-5.RELATED:Mafia: Definitive Edition Update Adds Black and White ModeAs its title suggests, theMafiagames focus on the America Mob in Illinois, California, and Louisiana, with each game following a new protagonist. While certain aspects of theMafiafranchise are inaccurate, it has given gamers the chance to be a part of La Cosa Nostra without the legal ramifications. The first game primarily focuses on Tommy Angelo in Illinois. A poor taxi driver, Tommy is inadvertently dragged into a life of organized crime after saving the life of a pair of Salieri family members. He eventually finds that he is far better suited to it than he ever imagined which ultimately leads to his downfall. Now gamers will be able to experience the original version of this story once again for free for a limited time.
Since the first game was released, theMafiafranchise has released two additional full installments.Mafia 2hit shelves in 2010 beforeMafia 3was released in 2016 which turned La Cosa Nostra into the main antagonist. A remastered version ofMafia 2, titledMafia 2: Definitive Editionwas released in 2020 as wasMafia: Definitive Edition. Recentlayoffs atMafiastudio Hanger 13have had fans worried that the franchise may be in trouble, but now it appears that 2K isn’t ready to let the franchise die.
Earlier today, it was officially announced that a newMafiagame was in developmentfrom Hanger 13. Past rumors have suggested that the game is a prequel set in Italy before La Cosa Nostra became a force to be reckoned with in the United States, but nothing definitive has been officially revealed. For the time being, fans will have to be content with the first threeMafiagames and will soon be able to get the first installment for free.
Mafia: Definitive Editionis available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
