Project Retrograde: The Becoming vs Mafia: The Old Country

• Perspective: Third-Person (with some First-Person elements)
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Post-Apocalyptic Underground
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Release Window: To Be Announced
• Unique Feature: A unique 'Parasitic Combat' system where players absorb memories to unlock and switch between entirely different fighting styles, combined with a weather-manipulating 'LUX' system.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Sicily, Italy (Early 20th Century)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Unique Feature: A prequel story exploring the origins of the Mafia in a highly authentic, early 20th-century Sicilian setting, with a deliberate focus on linear, cinematic storytelling.

• Family Members: The game is a single-player experience. Key members of the Teresi crime family, like Luca or Enzo's best friend Chesare, will accompany him on specific missions, providing fire support and narrative dialogue.
  Human (AI)

• Combat Memories: Absorbed from other hosts. These are the primary collectibles that unlock new fighting styles and parasitic abilities for the player.
• Lore Items: Found through exploration of the shattered underground cities, these items piece together the history of Project Retrograde and the L.U.C.A. parasite.

• Post-Apocalyptic
• Sci-Fi
• Survival
• Action
• Third-Person
• Narrative-Driven
• Body Horror
• Retro-Futurism

• Organized Crime
• Mafia
• Early 20th Century
• Sicily
• Prequel
• Narrative-Driven
• Honor & Betrayal
• Period Drama
• Revenge

• Firearms: Varies (Pistols, etc.)
  A range of firearms used in the 'Gungfu-centric' combat system, featuring mechanics like ricocheting bullets.
• Melee Weapons: Axe
  The game features brutal melee combat, with the 'Baba Yaga' fighting style centered on a powerful axe.
• Parasitic Abilities: Supernatural
  Powers granted by the L.U.C.A. parasite, unlocked by absorbing combat memories.

• Revolvers: Sidearms
  The standard sidearm of the era, providing reliable damage with a slow rate of fire.
• Repeater Rifles: Long Guns
  Lever-action rifles that offer good accuracy and power at medium to long range.
• Shotguns: Close-Quarters
  Includes double-barreled and sawed-off 'Lupara' variants, which are devastatingly powerful at point-blank range.
• Knives: Melee Weapon
  Used in the new one-on-one knife fight duel system. Different knives can be acquired that offer unique buffs, but their durability must be maintained with consumable wet stones.
• Fuse Bombs: Throwable
  The game's equivalent of grenades, used for clearing enemies out of cover.

Progression is driven by the unique 'Parasitic Combat' system. The protagonist can absorb combat memories from other hosts to unlock new parasitic abilities and master entirely new fighting styles, such as a fluid Kung Fu master or a ruthless, axe-wielding 'Baba Yaga'. Players must also manage their parasite infection level to prevent overload.

• Early 20th Century Automobiles: Car
  Players can drive a variety of authentic cars from the Edwardian era. The driving mechanics are grounded in realism, with a 'simulation' mode available. Car chases are a key feature.
• Horses: Mount
  Reflecting the time period, horses and horse-drawn carriages are a common mode of transportation and can be used in thrilling chases.

• The Bounty Hunter: Playable Protagonist
  A survivor in a post-apocalyptic world who is symbiotically bound to the L.U.C.A. parasite, granting them immense power.
• Winter: Ally
  A surface agent who teams up with the protagonist.
• Sean Anderson: Antagonist / Target
  The bounty hunter's primary target, who is responsible for a recent mutation event.
• L.U.C.A.: Parasite / Power Source
  The ancient parasite that has overrun the world and is symbiotically linked with the protagonist, granting them powers at the risk of consuming their identity.

• Enzo Favara: Playable Protagonist
  A young Sicilian who escapes the sulfur mines to join the Teresi crime family, seeking a life of freedom and respect.
• Don Bernardo Teresi: Head of the Teresi Family
  The soft-spoken but powerful Don who takes Enzo in. Voiced by Johnny Santgo.
• Tino: Consigliere
  The cynical and chilling advisor to Don Teresi. Voiced by Anthony Scorty.
• Luca: Mentor
  A member of the Teresi family who acts as Enzo's kindly mentor, guiding him through his new life in the Mafia.
• Isabella: Love Interest
  Don Teresi's daughter and a forbidden love interest for Enzo, adding personal stakes and conflict to the narrative.
• Don Ruggero Spadaro: Antagonist
  The ruthless head of the rival Spadaro crime family who controls the sulfur mines.

• Main Story Chapters
  A cinematic, chapter-based story that follows Enzo Favara's rise and disillusionment within the Teresi crime family, featuring dramatic set pieces, betrayals, and high-stakes shootouts.
• Explore Mode
  An optional mode separate from the main narrative that allows players to freely roam the hub world and find collectibles. It is planned to receive more content via post-launch updates.

• Q: What is Project Retrograde: The Becoming?
  A: It is a single-player, third-person action survival game with a strong narrative focus. It is known for its 'Gungfu-centric' combat, a parasitic ability system, and a unique weather-manipulation mechanic.
• Q: What games is it similar to?
  A: Its visual style, camera angle, and action combat have drawn heavy comparisons to the modern Resident Evil remakes (particularly RE4), while its narrative atmosphere has been likened to The Last of Us and The Evil Within.
• Q: What is the 'Parasitic Combat' system?
  A: It's a unique progression system where the player absorbs combat memories from other hosts to unlock completely new fighting styles, such as a Kung Fu master or an axe-wielding 'Baba Yaga'.
• Q: When will it be released?
  A: No specific release date has been announced yet, but it is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

• Q: What is Mafia: The Old Country?
  A: It is a new, standalone prequel to the Mafia series, set in early 1900s Sicily. It is a linear, story-driven action-adventure game focused on cinematic storytelling.
• Q: Is it open world like Mafia 3?
  A: No. While it is set in a large world, the game structure is linear like the original Mafia. The world serves as a backdrop for the story missions rather than a sandbox for player-driven activities.
• Q: How long is the game?
  A: The main story is approximately 8 to 12 hours long, and up to 20 hours for 100% completion. Replayability is limited.
• Q: Is there a crime system like in GTA?
  A: No, the game does not feature a police response or 'wanted' system, which is a departure from previous Mafia titles but is considered historically accurate for the setting.

• SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As official specs were not provided, these are hypothetical projections for a next-generation title built on Unreal Engine 5.
• Laptop Performance Note: A title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop for the best experience. Actual performance would vary significantly based on the final game's optimization and the laptop's specific hardware configuration.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features, heavy particle effects, and cinematic combat.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense boss fights will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a game with slow-motion mechanics.
• Game Name: Project Retrograde: The Becoming

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Mafia: The Old Country. This information is based on the official PC specifications from developer Hangar 13, adapted to the requested JSON structure. As a visually ambitious title built on Unreal Engine 5, the requirements are significant, especially for higher settings and resolutions. Laptop and future-generation GPU listings are extrapolated based on performance benchmarks.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop versions of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance, which is highly dependent on the laptop's TGP (Total Graphics Power) and thermal design. For a narrative-driven, open-world game like Mafia: The Old Country, a well-cooled laptop with a powerful CPU and a high-TGP GPU is crucial for a stable and immersive experience.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: A high TGP is essential to prevent GPU throttling and maintain a consistent framerate while rendering the detailed Sicilian environments.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Unreal Engine 5 can heavily tax both the CPU and GPU. A robust cooling system is necessary to prevent thermal throttling during long gameplay sessions and in graphically dense areas.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A strong CPU with good power delivery is important for handling the game's world streaming, physics, and AI without creating a bottleneck for the GPU.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to minimize system latency and ensure the smoothest possible gameplay experience.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The game supports a full suite of upscaling technologies, including NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS, with Frame Generation available on supported hardware. The official specs note that these technologies are used to achieve target performance levels.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: As a UE5 title, performance will be most affected by settings like Global Illumination (Lumen), Shadows, and View Distance. The 'Epic' preset is noted to be extremely demanding.
• Game Name: Mafia: The Old Country

• Upscaling Tech: The game supports a full suite of upscaling technologies, including NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS, with Frame Generation available on supported hardware. The official specs note that these technologies are used to achieve target performance levels.
• Key Settings Impact: As a UE5 title, performance will be most affected by settings like Global Illumination (Lumen), Shadows, and View Distance. The 'Epic' preset is noted to be extremely demanding.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features, heavy particle effects, and cinematic combat.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense boss fights will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a game with slow-motion mechanics.

• G P U T G P: A high TGP is essential to prevent GPU throttling and maintain a consistent framerate while rendering the detailed Sicilian environments.
• Cooling Thermals: Unreal Engine 5 can heavily tax both the CPU and GPU. A robust cooling system is necessary to prevent thermal throttling during long gameplay sessions and in graphically dense areas.
• C P U Power Limits: A strong CPU with good power delivery is important for handling the game's world streaming, physics, and AI without creating a bottleneck for the GPU.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to minimize system latency and ensure the smoothest possible gameplay experience.