Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 49
  2. Negative: 5 out of 49
  1. Dec 20, 2020
    91
    Empire of Sin is a love-letter to the old-school design of Bullfrog games. Part management sim, part RPG, part XCOM (with gangsters), it achieves its goal to bring different elements together into a cohesive and enjoyable unit. Its shortcomings and few bugs did not affect how much fun we had testing this game.
  2. Nov 30, 2020
    90
    A seamless blend of genres and high replayability make Empire of Sin and excellent choice for strategy gaming fans.
  3. Nov 30, 2020
    90
    Empire of Sin is one of the most accessible strategy titles I’ve ever played. It allows me to play the game in a way that’s in line with my playstyle while offering up rich and in-depth gameplay for those with more experience in this genre.
  4. Dec 8, 2020
    80
    Empire of Sin has the core of a good game that blends three genres in cool ways. I am especially fond of the man-management and the ways the various mobsters work with one another and react during combat. But the current implementation, especially that of the battles, is frustrating. Romero Games needs to make management more important and to bring the characters to the front more. Patches also should include auto-resolve and a big balance update. Empire of Sin needs all of this to begin to realize its clear potential.
  5. Dec 1, 2020
    80
    Romero Games’ step into this strategic genre is a brave and bold one that has certainly paid off. Empire of Sin perfectly captures the feeling of Chicago in the 1920s and delivers a tight, tactical experience that plays itself in such a way that this title will easily be spoken about in the same light as XCOM – but perhaps even beyond that, due to the deep, unique tycoon elements, it has to offer.
  6. Nov 30, 2020
    80
    Empire of Sin has its bugs and some rough cinematic moments. But Romero Games pulled this project off with a team of just 30 people. For a game of its ambition, that seems like a small team. It’s pretty much an indie project, or perhaps “double-A,” compared to other games that are more polished but have hundreds of developers — or even more — working on them. What I also liked was that the game feels smart. I felt like I was playing against other crime bosses who were figuring out how to outthink me or double-cross me. And that’s what you want in a gangster game.
  7. Nov 30, 2020
    80
    Fantastic mafia management game with a good combat system. Employee relationships make up for bad artificial intelligence and some illogical situations.
  8. Nov 30, 2020
    80
    More than just adding another unique backdrop to the strategy genre, Empire of Sin brings tycoon and tactics gameplay to being a 1920s Chicago gangster in very fun and interesting ways.
  9. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Feb 17, 2021
    79
    John and Brenda proved that they still have the skills to make a passable game, but with a duet like that, we’ve expected a lot more creativity. [Issue#251, p.60]
  10. Dec 7, 2020
    79
    I deeply believe that there are the bones of a good game buried here. And the fixes might be easy. Or they may never come. As it stands now, I had quite a lot of fun with Empire of Sin, but I couldn’t get a groove going. It’s hard to recommend before a bit of an overhaul. But stranger things have happened in gaming! And in real life. Remember when alcohol was illegal in the United States? That feels pretty crazy right now.
  11. Nov 30, 2020
    77
    An RPG, a grand strategy, a tycoon game and with a final touch of turn-based tactics, this is Empire of Sin, a game that skillfully manages to keep its various souls together.
  12. Nov 30, 2020
    75
    Empire of Sin is a great strategy and management game, that manages to capture the essence of its setting, even with its shortcomings.
  13. Nov 30, 2020
    75
    Empire of Sin is a competent hybrid that borrows mechanics from tycoon games, turn-based tactics and RPGs. Unfortunately, the game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches that risk compromising the experience.
  14. Nov 30, 2020
    75
    Empire of Sin is a practically unique title in the current video game scene. The combination of role-playing mechanics with turn-based combat, together with the empire management system and diplomacy, makes this a very particular game. It has really been a fun experience, it is a pleasure to role-play a mafia boss who is gaining notorious points as his dominance over the city and the other gangs grows. However, I have the feeling that many of its mechanics are not exploited in the most appropriate way, as the whole of its proposal has not been able to coalesce as would have been desirable. However, it is a title to take into account of which I would like to see a continuation that knows how to take everything it proposes one step further since, on the table, it has enough ingredients to be more than just a good game.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.
  1. Nov 30, 2020
    A charismatic and enjoyable gangster sim that gets a big bogged down in admin. [Eurogamer Recommended]
  2. It’s a shame, because it’s a wonderfully ambitious mashup of systems wrapped around a lovely, if extremely cliched, caricature of the golden age of gangster fiction. When negotiations break down and you end up in a shoot-out with enemies that look like they’re dressed for a wedding, Empire Of Sin feels like a farce worthy of a Coen brothers movie.
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 137 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 137
  2. Negative: 47 out of 137
  1. May 25, 2021
    8
    This game has definitely come a long way!!

    There's been a lot of fixes and improvements. I've been happy to watch them come into the game.
    This game has definitely come a long way!!

    There's been a lot of fixes and improvements. I've been happy to watch them come into the game.

    From what I can see, the game's direction is heavily in favor of the community. There's lots of emphasis on feedback. Although these things take time it's clear to me that there's been A LOT of that put into the upcoming DLCs. I'm excited for the future of Empire of Sin, and my opinion has changed greatly from what it was in December on release. The panels convinced me that this game is going in the right direction, and I think everyone should at least give it a try.
    Full Review »
  2. May 12, 2021
    8
    This game is so good! I had no idea that a mobster / gangster style game would be so fun, but it's so complex and interesting. Every time IThis game is so good! I had no idea that a mobster / gangster style game would be so fun, but it's so complex and interesting. Every time I play I learn something new as I start to understand the different screens that manage my empire and relationships. The combat is really great and it's a lot of fun. For useless fights you can even opt out of them by choosing to auto resolve them quickly. Going to war against other factions, making business deals, taking over an opponent's racket and building your empire is such a fun, seamless design - I'm surprised to see how well a turn-based strategy game merged with RPG design with missions and characters would turn out. It's actually amazing, check it out. Full Review »
  3. Dec 2, 2020
    0
    America 30th with woman and afroamericans in gansters? Game destroying real hystory.