007 First Light vs Mafia: The Old Country
Two linear crime stories, but only one could keep most of its players after launch — and that split decides who should play which.
Updated 8d ago
IO Interactive nails Bond's origin with a stealth-combat blend that earns the 00 status — skip if you hate Hitman's patience.
Hangar 13 finally remembered what Mafia is — Old Country trades open-world bloat for tight 1900s Sicily linearity, and it's a real comeback.
By the numbers
Prices checked Sep 8; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 8.
| Measure | 007 First Light | Mafia: The Old Country |
|---|---|---|
| Value Mafia: The Old Country wins on value | ||
| Price now | $49.95 −29% · GameBillet | $25.99 −48% · Fanatical |
| All-time low | $43.74 | $24.99 |
| Cost / hour | $3.16/hr $49.95 · 16 h main story | $2.12/hr $25.99 · 12 h main story |
| Off its low | +14% low was Sep 2026 | +4% low was Aug 2026 |
| Main story | 16 h | 12 h |
| Health 007 First Light wins on player health | ||
| Steam reviews | 91% 45k reviews | 73% 30k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 87% 1k votes · vs 91% lifetime | 72% 979 votes · vs 73% lifetime |
| Peak players | 3,712 Aug 2026 · ↓ 53% MoM | 3,524 Aug 2026 · ↑ 306% MoM |
| Launch peak | — | 31% of Aug 2025 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 |
| All-time peak | 39,153 Jun 2026 · now at 9% | 11,552 Aug 2025 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 5 days ago | 3 weeks ago |
| Patch cadence | 4 in last 90 days | 3 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | Platinum | Gold |
Shared scale — same months across the bottom, same player-count axis up the side, so the two lines are directly comparable. A shorter line means a younger game.
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
007 First Light
The atmosphere and one-liners sell the Bond fantasy — even 40-hour fans replay for the style.
Forced stealth sections frustrate players who prefer action-first approach, making re-runs feel restrictive.
from our July 2026 verdict
Mafia: The Old Country
The early 20th century Sicilian atmosphere and respectful Mafia storytelling are what long-time fans consistently praise.
The short campaign length and occasionally clunky knife duels are common friction points among veteran players.
from our May 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick 007 First Light if
- You love Hitman's sandbox stealth loops and social manipulation
- You want a Bond origin story you can finish in about 16 hours
- You prefer one-liners, gadgets, and the Brosnan era's tone
Pick Mafia: The Old Country if
- You loved Mafia 1 and 2's tightly-paced narratives, not Mafia III's open world
- You're drawn to 1900s Sicily, lupara shotguns, and family honor codes
- You want a 12-hour story you can beat in a weekend
Bottom line
Pick First Light if you want stealth with staying power, and Old Country if you just want a shorter, cheaper mob story — though its steep drop to 31% of launch peak suggests many players didn't stick around.