There are many things fans are hoping to see in Mafia franchise. There are both many similarities and differences between the two game series, and they've each undoubtedly taken at least small amounts of inspiration from one another over the years. The Grand Theft Auto franchise has arguably handled driving mechanics better than Mafia has, but it could still stand to be improved.
When it comes to comparing the two series, most players would say the Mafia series could stand to borrow from GTA (Mafia could learn from GTA's open world, for instance). However, in many ways trying to judge the two franchises is like comparing apples and oranges, as they both have many things that set them apart from one another. The Mafia series has a much more serious and story-driven tone with a focus on authentic historical settings, while GTA is more loosely structured, rooted in the modern day, and satirical. Despite this, there are still ways they could draw from each other, including GTA 6 utilizing a Mafia driving mechanic.
The Mafia Games Make Driving & Open World Navigation Immersive
One thing that makes the driving in Mafia games feel fluid and immersive is a special navigation feature where, during missions, there are signs that will appear along the road helping direct players on where to go. In comparison, driving for Grand Theft Auto missions necessitates constant looking at the mini-map to ensure players are still headed in the right direction. This can make Grand Theft Auto's daringly ridiculous missions less fun, especially if players wind up going the wrong way.
Why Mafia's Driving Mechanics Would Improve GTA 6
Driving is such a core mechanic of Grand Theft Auto that the idea of yet another entry that doesn't utilize easier navigation is quite disconcerting. Mafia's subtle way of fading in directional signs that then disappear is a less obtrusive alternative to the glowing arrows on the ground that some games use, while still providing important turn signals. Players being able to keep their eyes on the road instead of a mini-map in the corner of the screen would be a much better overall driving experience, and make in-game missions more fun overall.
With GTA 6 possibly releasing in 2024, there's still ample time for developers to make quality-of-life changes that benefit players. While it's by no means impossible to navigate in Grand Theft Auto with the mechanics it has now, shifting away from mini-map reliance would be an excellent change. This inclusion of a feature similar to Mafia's hasn't even been rumored for Grand Theft Auto 6, as very little has been revealed about the game, but it would be a great choice by Rockstar to include it.
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