The original version of the 2002 video game Mafia from 2K Games will be available for players to play for free for a limited time on Steam.
The Mafia series is one of those game franchises that many people seem to know about but lacks the popularity of its peers. It’s not as big as the Grand Theft Auto franchise and lacks Saints Row’s unique sense of identity. However, the Mafia franchise remains a valuable IP for the 2K publisher and one that maintains a large following.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Mafia and 2K knows how to celebrate. Mafia: Definitive Edition received mostly positive reviews, but the publisher wants to take players even further back. In a recent post on the official 2K Twitter account, it was revealed that the original version of Mafia would be available for free on Steam for a limited time. Players will be able to download the game from the digital platform from September 1 to 5.
As their title suggests, the Mafia games focus on the America Mob in Illinois, California, and Louisiana, with each game following a new protagonist. While certain aspects of the Mafia franchise are inaccurate, it has given players the opportunity to be a part of La Cosa Nostra without the legal ramifications. The first game primarily focuses on Tommy Angelo in Illinois. Tommy, a poor taxi driver, is inadvertently drawn into a life of organized crime after saving the lives of a couple of members of t he Salieri family. He eventually discovers that he fits in much better than he ever imagined, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Players will now be able to experience the original version of this story once again for free for a limited time.
In honor of #Mafia20 let’s go back to where it all started 🏙
Get the orig inal Mafia (digital) for FREE on @Steam
from Sept. 1 – 5 pic.twitter.com/ZdxSFZrLwh— 2K (@2K) August 29, 2022
Since the first game was released, the Mafia franchise has released two additional full installments. Mafia 2 hit stores in 2010 before Mafia 3 was released in 2016, making La Cosa Nostra the main antagonist. A remastered version of Mafia 2, titled Mafia 2: Definitive Edition, was released in 2020, just like Mafia: Definitive Edition. Recent layoffs at mafia studio Hanger 13 have fans worried that the franchise may be in trouble, but now it looks like 2K isn’t ready to let the franchise die.
Earlier today, it was officially announced that a new Mafia game was in development starting with Hanger 13. Previous rumors 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. final has been officially revealed. For now, fans will have to be content with the first three Mafia games and soon they will be able to get the first installment for free.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
