Last night’s showcase at The Game Awards, fondly dubbed Keighleyfest, featured an array of announcements, but a handful stood out, sparking my anticipation. While The Witcher 4 certainly made waves, two other titles piqued my interest, both grounded in periods when my great-grandfather roamed the Earth: Project Century and Mafia: The Old Country. Despite their geographical gulf, both promise intense, nostalgic combat that I’m eager to dive into.
Mafia: The Old Country somewhat serves as the sidekick to Project Century’s superhero, perhaps akin to Robin riding Batman’s coattails. We had wind of Mafia’s existence before the event, and its somewhat anticlimactic release window had already leaked. That said, a fresh trailer dropped, offering a tantalizing glimpse into its early 20th-century Sicilian gangster narrative. While it may not redefine the gaming landscape, it exudes an air of solid entertainment—exactly the kind of title that rounds out a stellar year of gaming experiences.
Much like my enjoyment of Star Wars Outlaws earlier, I foresee myself engrossed in The Old Country, savoring its historical misadventures and period-appropriate confrontations. Rest assured, I haven’t been swapped out for Jim Trinca; these themes genuinely resonate with the fun I seek in games. Between vintage cars and classic mafia storytelling, it seems poised to deliver an experience I’ll relish, even if it doesn’t quite reach the cinematic heights of The Godfather or The Sopranos.
However, while Mafia may not have the secret sauce needed to transform it from good to phenomenal, Project Century has all the signs that it just might. Announced during last night’s festivities, this intriguing title hails from the creators behind the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series, RGG Studio. Set in 1915 Japan, the trailer hinted at intense, perhaps bloodier contests than the typical Kiryu scrap, highlighting the chaos between its nameless hero and street toughs.
Much like Mafia, Project Century indulges in historical action before the dawn of Penicillin, but with an intriguing twist. The protagonist’s glowing eyes in promotional material and a memorable battle against a large, seemingly monstrous opponent suggest a splash of sci-fi or alternative history to spice things up. Yet, considering Kazuma Kiryu once nonchalantly tussled with two tigers, who’s to say what’s typical anymore?
In the end, both games hold intriguing potential as they remain in the enigmatic realm of pre-release. When they finally hit the shelves, I’ll be among the first to dive in, eagerly engaging in historical brawls and exploring the enticing stories they have to offer.
