City of Gangsters
City of Gangsters
Game
Game2020
Empire of Sin
Developer Romero Games
Empire of Sin is a strategy and role-playing video game developed by Romero Games and published by Paradox Interactive. It was released on December 1, 2020, for Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. In the game, the player takes the role of one of several mob bosses inspired by real-life figures in Chicago during the Prohibition era. The player, acting through their boss character,… From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
223 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon) · newest Nov 4, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
49
Mixed
85 positive · 90 negative
95% range 41–56%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 85 | 90 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 3 | 1 | 22 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 22 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Mixed
1,673 of 3,334 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
46% recommend · 81 yes, 94 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 175 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Mixed (3,023 of 6,298 positive).
Players praise the game's atmosphere and strategic depth, but many cite persistent bugs. [1][2][3] Some reviewers note the game has improved with updates but remains unfinished. [4][1][5] A significant number of players express disappointment over abandoned development and game-breaking issues. [6][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [1]
Empire of Sin is an ambitious strategy game that combines mafia management, turn-based combat, and city control in 1920s Chicago during Prohibition. Although the game had a bumpy launch, several updates and DLCs have improved the experience considerably. It's still not quite the mafia sandbox that many were hoping for, but it delivers a unique blend of XCOM , Jagged Alliance , and Crusader Kings -inspired crime …
- [2]
As a fan of gangster strategy games, I went into Empire of Sin hoping for a modern successor to the classic crime empire experience. After spending time with it, I'd say it's an enjoyable game that gets a lot right, even if it doesn't reach the depth of some older titles. The atmosphere is excellent. The 1920s Chicago setting is full of character, the bosses are memorable, and building a criminal empire through …
- [6]
Developers leaving this game while many gamebreaking bugs still exist! what a wasted opportunity. Had high hopes for this game.
- [12]
terrible, buggy mess. I had to restart my save three separate times due to game-breaking bugs and data corruption. technical difficulties aside, the game just isn't that great either. for every neat idea or fun mechanic there's at least 5 other things that sabotage it. the voice-acting is horrifically bad, the gameplay falls into a monotonous and boring routine after like two hours and it very rarely ever differs in …
- [10]
If you are looking for Omerta: City of Gangster successor, look no further. Empire of Sins got the basic covered. However, just like any crime, you need to thread the risk carefully. The good: it's basically a turn-based 4X prohibition era. You expand your precinct, got your money, create alcohol, expand, stonk your empire. You equipped your crew with weapon, train them, and they will get better overtime. Classic …
Summarised from 34 of the 224 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 11, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Empire of Sin sits at 49% positive across 175 opinionated reactions from 3 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Empire of Sin received "mixed or average" reviews on the PC, Xbox, and Switch versions and "generally unfavorable reviews" for the PlayStation 4 version, according to Metacritic.
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 223 · most liked firstDevelopers leaving this game while many gamebreaking bugs still exist! what a wasted opportunity. Had high hopes for this game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In 2026, Empire of Sin stands as a completed project. While the developers have moved on, the game is in its most stable state following the massive "Last Update" (v1.11) in late 2025. Adding the Make It Count DLC is generally considered essential by the community to move the game from a "combat simulator" to a "mafia tycoon." Here are three ways to frame your review for the game and the DLC: Option 1: The "Financial Empire" Review Best if you enjoy the tycoon/management side of the game…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you want a story-driven game that is full of bugs, then you should definitely buy this game. You can waste your money on this game. This game had a lot of potential, but the developer only cared about making money and didn’t care at all about fixing the bugs. You will never be able to enjoy this game, because when you least expect it, a bug occurs and completely disrupts the gameplay, forcing you to start the game all over again.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Oh what?! Brenda and John are game design legends, why would you cut an on schedule game so far in dev? I hope someone swoops in and saves the project. Gonna go do another play through of Empire of Sin, one their excellent games.
positive · AI labelView post →This is a fun game. Reviews should be better. Not a perfect game, but fun nonetheless. Kind of a mashup between a tactical RPG and 4x strategy. Yes there are a few mission bugs, which are annoying. Often solved by a reload though. If you save often (you should) then your issues should be very minor. I do wish: 1. dev was still active, but guessing it didnt sell well enough 2. modding community was more active 3. better options in the game such as being able to increase animation speed to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →terrible, buggy mess. I had to restart my save three separate times due to game-breaking bugs and data corruption. technical difficulties aside, the game just isn't that great either. for every neat idea or fun mechanic there's at least 5 other things that sabotage it. the voice-acting is horrifically bad, the gameplay falls into a monotonous and boring routine after like two hours and it very rarely ever differs in tone. it was fun sometines but it just kinda sucks. it's a shame, on paper a…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game had potential. Somebody on the development team clearly understood the ambience of 1920s and ’30s gangland crime. On the street level, the world looks the part. The ambience is strong, the atmosphere convincing. Whoever designed those graphics got it right — the lighting, the detail, the smoky vibe of prohibition Chicago. It works. But the moment you pull back to the world map, it all falls apart. The scale is hideous, the colour palette drains to a Unity-style grayscale mess, and the…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love this game, it had a lot of promise but it's long been abandoned. 2 updates in the last 5 years, it's filled with several common game breaking bugs that even with the final update release recently weren't addressed. This game is in no way worth the $57 it's priced at.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This isn't to defend capital, it would certainly be better if revenue were kept in the hands of employees. But that wouldn't solve the problem is there are more games than people buying them. Who here actually played Romero's last game, Empire of Sin?
neutral · AI labelView post →I love how its a strategy Action PACKED , Fun, LOVE , STORYLINE , MISSIONS ,Can OWN YOUR OWN BUSISSNIES On top of ALL THAT AN MORE . im a 29 year old woman been playing this isnce i was 23 . its because each chacter come with diffrient weapons diffrient Gifts .. i love this game !
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →*updated review* This game is 5 years old and riddled with game breaking bugs. Apparently Paradox has taken over development. I wish them well, but it needs much more than just bug fixes. This game's primary sin is that it's confusing and much of what you do is inconsequential. The game is about expanding territory. The map is divided into precincts. You can build a speakeasy, a brother or a casino to make money. You build a brewery to provide them with booze. There's no difference between…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →They made a post saying, "We hand it to you modders" but then later down the road give a DLC that breaks all the major mods and contributes barely anything.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →it's a fun game of monopoly crossed with some xcom style chess for combat scenarios. the reason for giving a negative review is the amount of game breaking bugs; want to start a war? CAN'T ATTACK BUILDINGS! want to buyout gangs? CAN'T BUYOUT even though you have met all the conditions! want to mod the game? MODDERS HAVE LEFT IT BEHIND, even the bug fixing mods are broken because of an update 5 years after release! it could've been a fun little game of gangster monopoly, instead we get a…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really wish the devs would of cared for this game more. It's such a great mafia game, had so much potential.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Empire of Sin is an ambitious strategy game that combines mafia management, turn-based combat, and city control in 1920s Chicago during Prohibition. Although the game had a bumpy launch, several updates and DLCs have improved the experience considerably. It's still not quite the mafia sandbox that many were hoping for, but it delivers a unique blend of XCOM , Jagged Alliance , and Crusader Kings -inspired crime strategy. The combat is very similar to XCOM. Positioning matters a lot. There…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A buggy mess of a game pulled out of it's grave to add a monstrosity of a DLC to in the hopes of avoiding legal issues. If the game was a mess before then I certainly don't see how adding a Reggie Kray lookalike into my 1920's Chicago gangster title is supposed to save it. This game should've been left in its grave and duly forgotten about. Save your time, money, sanity and faith in the business practices of gaming companies for another game, this one just isn't worth it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you are looking for Omerta: City of Gangster successor, look no further. Empire of Sins got the basic covered. However, just like any crime, you need to thread the risk carefully. The good: it's basically a turn-based 4X prohibition era. You expand your precinct, got your money, create alcohol, expand, stonk your empire. You equipped your crew with weapon, train them, and they will get better overtime. Classic 4X. The bad: it's a hot mess of bugs. You might get a game breaking bugs which…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →4/10 Good concept and can be quite fun trying to balance everything in realtime with the quirk of TBS for battles and taking over properties. However, like with almost all games involving Paradox it feels unpolished and half hearted with plenty of bugs thrown in to keep you on your toes... Pros Novel idea and storylines Turn based strategy (TBS) for fights Realtime when not in battles, Quite good graphics for the time Lots of choices for your team (and various attitudes towards each other)…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →too buggy. game breaking bugs that were obvious and never fixed. save your money. they're done with updating the game and there are still several bugs that were never fixed.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As a person who enjoys classic television shows and movies, I like the idea and basis of this game. However, I can't recommend spending $40 on this game unless it's on sale. I feel like this game could have been something bigger and better than it is. It just feels a bit sluggish and unfinished the interface is also kind of cluttered. However, for what it is, I do enjoy it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game definitely feels half baked, but if they really tried and put in more time (which does not mean make another DLC, thats not the same thing) it could be a really great game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Honestly, I have been eager for a good single-player 'underworld politics' strategy game for a long time and we keep getting something a bit less than we'd hope(Empire of Sin, City of Gangsters, etc.) so I'm up for an attempt to do it with swords.
neutral · AI labelView post →I played this on the playstation, and honestly, kind of forgot how quickly it gets boring. At first, I thought it was pretty good. I liked the idea of it, building a team, turn based action, resources, etc. That part truly is good. But, once all that novelty washes off, you're left with just REPETITIVE tasks, usually at a grander scale, and taking over territories truly becomes boring (at least for me). It's literally the same thing over and over and over and over and over again. This…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Todays #RandomGameSaturday we have Empire of Sin for the Nintendo Switch.
neutral · AI labelView post →This game is broken, from main missions crashing the game, blank event pop ups forcing you to close the game, and trying to trade with npcs crashing the game. As much as I enjoy the game, its a waste of time when you dump a couple dozen hours into a play through to have it get to a point where all it does is crash/break.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is a cool idea and I had a lot of hope on release but unfortunately is simply not very fun. Likely due to poor development process (long story short: Romero were the initial devs and quit after scamming, to protect themselves Paradox the publisher took over development SEVERAL years late) the game simply is not all that fleshed out. You'll likely see Paradox do what they did when they bought Prison Architect and sling out high amounts of over priced DLC and end up ruining the…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I still wish there was more rackets but once i got past that i started to really enjoy the game. Its not perfect they decided to go woke instead of aiming for historical accuracy. They have trans bosses and about one quarter of your henchmen look like some form trans. According to this game about a quarter of all Chicago's gangsters in the 20's were trans. Half the gangsters are women and a good portion of them are old ladies. So it's really hard making a crew that could be considered…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Paradox is the worst. Never buy a game which is stained with their name!
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A T A T U R K (btw this game is sucks)
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In 2026, there are still too many bugs that make this game unplayable. Saving before every single combat is required, because when your combat glitches out you have to reload the entire thing. When you get into the higher levels, these combats take almost an hour. I have tried to play this game twice, and both times I have come across a game breaking bug that doesn't allow me to finish. The first time the main questline glitched out and I was unable to interact with the quest character to move…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In my experience so far, the game game is not nearly as buggy or unpolished as some make it out to be, if you enjoy strategy games with turn based combat and light RPG elements, you will enjoy this game. DO NOT let the negative reviews fool you, it is very underrated and worth trying, after all if you encounter major issues or don't enjoy it simply refund it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've always liked mafia games, i finished the game Godfather 2 many times and still play it to this day. The game kind of reminds me of godfather, the racket-taking, the crew that you have and the entirety of the mafia is great for me. Sadly the game is full of bugs and was given up by developers. I Wouldn't recommend it anymore. If you're really interested, buy it only on sale and the price should be really-really low. 3/10
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As a fan of gangster strategy games, I went into Empire of Sin hoping for a modern successor to the classic crime empire experience. After spending time with it, I'd say it's an enjoyable game that gets a lot right, even if it doesn't reach the depth of some older titles. The atmosphere is excellent. The 1920s Chicago setting is full of character, the bosses are memorable, and building a criminal empire through speakeasies, breweries, and rackets is genuinely satisfying. The presentation,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Love the game! Wish it wasn’t abandoned though. I hope they revitalize it. Not holding my breath.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →$40 for this game is an absurd price. Not sure I'd even recommend it on a steep discount. Save your money.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love this game but it is waaaaaaay too buggy, like game crippling bugs when youve already put in a couple of hours. It seems like there are a bunch of issues with the developers, publishers, and studio (I have no idea how all that stuff works) but it would be great if some of these bugs could be fixed as they have existed from the jump. I wish the focus ws less on new mechanics and more on just making sure the game is playable all the way through.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Awfull Publisher
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →good game, good concept, fun, but still broken, sadly
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really enjoy playing this game but the glitches annoy me. I wish the developers would fix this
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I like the everything in the game, but one thing - completely unbalanced computer players system. I played on normal difficulty, and it was like: you make 10-15 damage, they - 40 damage. All the time. You gather hell of a team, take out every establishment, and then go after a boss and loose 100% of time. Also I found it's much more profitable to use "Auto resolve", after which every character had 100% health, but if you fight personally - all return with severe loss. Similar goes with…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Empire of Sin – A Tactical Take Worth Revisiting As someone who grew up playing classics like Gangsters: Organized Crime and Mob Rule, I approached Empire of Sin with both nostalgia and high expectations. It’s true that the game launched in 2021 with more bugs than bullets in a Tommy gun, and it took time for the developers to stabilize the experience. But once you're in, there’s a strategic depth and charm that sets this game apart from other entries in the genre. What really shines in…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a very underated game. Don't let the negitive rating fool you. While the development is finished, most of the issues have been fixed. If not, there is usualy a workshop item that helps fix it. Like skyrim, the players make it better. Sure there are some issues, but if you like xcom, or games with a 1920's feel like mafia or godfather then this is the game for you. It is important to note that every decision affects the world, and not always in a good way for you.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Some fun things I've been doing: Still enjoying "Slay the Spire 2." A great example of Early Access done right. Started a "for real" play-through of "Empire of Sin" now that development has ceased. Cool game. Imperfect, but good. 👍 My 2026 playlist: open.spotify.com/playlist/5by... #games #music
neutral · AI labelView post →3 days left! We dropped an EXCLUSIVE Romero Games Signature Gift Pack, featuring hand-signed copies of Empire of Sin, DOOM II disks & more. Only ONE available! Back now: GameOnTheMovie.com/Kickstarter PLUS, hit $40K & all backers get Game On soundtrack access #brendaromero #gamedev #gameonthemovie
neutral · AI labelView post →The games feels unfinished, like there was a lot of ideas the did not get implemented or were half done.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I originally left a positive review when halfway through my first campaign. I beat that campaign and have attempted 4 more campaigns with 2 different gangsters. All four of those attempts had game breaking bugs that ruined quests and eventually prevented further progress in those campaigns. Bugs include ownership never changing on a building I successfully attacked over and over. Quest requirements being incorrectly assigned, with necessary buildings being impossible to attack. Glitches…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game was good for a while it's have the potential to become a really good one, but it's have too much bugs, far too much for a game which came out almost 5 years ago... and the price... well... MAY it's worth a few euros, but I regretted that I bought the premium version of the game Unless it's have a huge discount, don't buy it guys.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →So, I played this game years ago and enjoyed it. Bought it again even though I saw all the bad reviews. After a few months of not playing, I guess the game decided to erase my save file. I do NOT recommend this game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A publisher that harbors people who mistake their own delusions for historical reality.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've played this game many times and it never finishes. It's so buggy you just delete and start again, and again and again...
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a lot better than I was expecting. Not sure why the review score is so low. I've yet to see any bugs at all. Game play is solid. Combat system gives me Baldur's Gate 3 vibes. I'm enjoying it a lot!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →buggy as hell, cant progress because when i take over a bosses safehouse the game locks up
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I assumed Engine of Sin was going to be related to Empire of Sin somehow, and now I'm fantasizing about a sort of prohibition-punk game featuring mafia mechs with giant tommy guns
neutral · AI labelView post →If you can get it on an EXCEPTIONALLY deep discount, sure, the game is fun for what it is. But there is absolutely no way in hell the game is worth its full price, especially considering the devs abandoned the game in late April and still left many gamebreaking bugs unresolved.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good Idea, but Paradox showed again, they just don't care enough.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The gameplay is great early on but later down the line the gameplay just gets really repetitive, tedious, and boring. Don't get me wrong, I've had some pretty peak moments in this game its just the late game is really repetitive.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →super fun take on turn based strategy games. !00% pick it up on sale
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A fun game if you enjoy the XCOM/wasteland gameplay with a gangster touch. It can become repetitive but it is fun. However, get it when its on sale as £34.99 is too much for it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →game is dead in the water
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I’ve spent more than 20 hours with Empire of Sin, and it’s a game that mixes turn-based tactics, strategy, and role-playing in a very unique way. The setting in Prohibition-era Chicago is a refreshing change compared to most strategy games, and the atmosphere is done really well. Managing rackets, negotiating with rival gangs, and the tactical combat all add layers of depth that kept me engaged for quite a while. That said, the game does start to feel repetitive once you’ve got the basics…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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