There’s a new Mafia game set for release next year, and I must admit, I was more than a little happy at its announcement this year as I loved both previous games.

Seeing 12 minutes of Mafia 3 as it was shown to IGN’s Ryan McCaffery and narrated by creative director Hayden Blackman, then, is a real pleasure. It warms the cockles of my somewhat-jaded gamer heart as it shows just how much better this game’s open world seems, and gives me much hope that this game will address the criticisms of the previous two. Namely, that the actual world the excellent stories take place in are rather dull.

Happily, 2K’s Hayden Blackman puts those worries to rest with talk of some of the tasks players will occupy themselves with in the open world; things like taking over territories, destroying hideouts and other activities that helps Clay establish and expand his criminal empire.

I won’t spoil any of it for you and will instead just let you watch. The game is quite graphic, though, and the video features quite a bit of swearing and combat as well as some of Clay’s finishing moves, so if that sort of thing isn’t your cup of tea, maybe don’t click Play.

Mafia 3 is apparently due in 2016, with no specific date set yet. Definitely one to watch for.

[Source – IGN]