Mafia: Trilogy - What We Know So Far

The world knew it was on the way because of a previously released teaser, but 2K and developer Hangar 13 have officially announced that Mafia: Trilogy is coming. The trio of games builds on the legacy of the original titles, which have collectively sold more than 18 million units worldwide, allowing players to experience the life of an American gangster during three different eras.

Mafia: Trilogy includes three Definitive Editions of the classic action-adventure games. Mafia: Definitive Edition is a remake that has been built from the ground up. It features a new engine, updated script, more cutscenes, additional gameplay sequences, and other improvements, such as a re-recorded orchestral score and re-recorded voice acting. Mafia 2: Definitive Edition is an ultra-HD remaster of the sequel, while Mafia 3: Definitive Edition re-introduces the award-winning title that debuted in 2016.

From the release date to the available platforms, here's what you need to know about Mafia: Trilogy.

The Definitive Editions for Mafia 2 and Mafia 3 are actually available now, both as part of Mafia: Trilogy and as stand-alone purchases. If you want to play the Mafia remaster, though, you're going to have to wait until Aug. 28. You can purchase Mafia: Trilogy digitally, and then download Mafia: Definitive Edition once it becomes available. It's pretty clear Mafia, which is the oldest of the three, needs the most work, and that's why you'll have to wait a bit longer to get your hands on it.

Mafia 2: Definitive Edition and Mafia 3: Definitive Edition come with several story DLCs and bonus packs. Pre-ordering Mafia: Definitive Edition or the Mafia: Trilogy will also reward you with the Chicago Outfit bonus pack, which includes The Don outfit, a Smith V12 limousine, and a Gold Semi-Automatic Pistol weapon skin.

If you want physical editions of the games, you'll have to wait until Aug. 28 to play all three. However, if you live in the U.S., you may be out of luck. The actual box is only planned for release in select areas in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

In addition to the official announcement trailer, 2K has released an official launch trailer for Mafia 2: Definitive Edition and Mafia 3: Definitive Edition. You'll also find a short teaser for Mafia: Definitive Edition. There's not much to them, but if you're a fan of the Mafia games you'll know what to expect:  atmospheric period details, a collection of menacing and iconic gangsters, and different protagonists for each installment.

The meatiest of the trailers seems to be for Mafia 2. Unfortunately, the videos don't do a great job of showcasing the improvements made to these titles. Mafia 3 probably didn't need much work, but Mafia 2 deserves it! Hopefully, Hangar 13 is focused on getting the first Mafia updated the right way for its late-summer release.

Mafia: Trilogy will release for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PCs via Steam. It will also be available at the Epic Games Store and Google Stadia, but 2K has not shared a time frame for those digital releases yet. 

If you purchase the games separately, you can buy Mafia 2 and 3 for $29.99 each, while the original Mafia will run you $39.99. Or, you can grab all three for $59.99. The game is single-player only.

Remember, if you buy Mafia: Trilogy, you're going to have to wait until August to download the first game. Hopefully, there won't be any delays on this one, as fans have waited a long time to experience the original Mafia on modern systems.

In each of the open-world Mafia games, you take on the role of an individual trying to rise within an organized crime syndicate. You perform missions in urban environments, modeled on amalgamations of real cities but with fake names. Mafia took place in Lost Heaven, Mafia 2's action is focused in Empire Bay, and Mafia 3's setting is New Bordeaux.

Tommy Angelo is the protagonist of the first game. He rises through the ranks of the Italian Mafia during Prohibition after being conscripted by mobsters while working as a cab driver. 

In the second game, war hero Vito Scaletta gets entangled with criminals while trying to pay his father's debts. He ends up attempting to prove himself by taking on new risks and consequences. 

In Mafia 3, which had a more mixed reaction upon release than the other two, Lincoln Clay is a Vietnam war veteran whose family was killed by the Mafia. He joins up to get revenge on the Mafioso who is responsible.

Regardless of your current status as a Mafia fan, Mafia: Trilogy seems like a good deal, offering three games for the price of one new release.