Empire of Sin
Pick Your Empire of Sin Edition
Empire of Sin – Deluxe Edition
Upgrade to the Deluxe Edition and receive access to the Mobster Pack which includes four recruitable and playable gangsters, the Golden Weapon Set that comes with three exclusive weapon skins plus “Romero” gun sound effects, and unique execution animation for your boss character – the Curb Stomp Execution.
Empire of Sin – Premium Edition
The Premium Edition grants access to all Deluxe Edition content – the mobster pack, Golden Weapon set and Curb Stomp Execution kill – plus two post-launch expansions and the stylish Al Capone’s Fur Coat costume.
About the Game
Empire of Sin is a new strategy game brought to you by Romero Games and Paradox Interactive that puts you at the heart of the ruthless criminal underworld of 1920s Prohibition-era Chicago. Slip into the shoes of one of the fourteen real and historically inspired mob bosses such as Al Capone, Stephanie St. Clair, or Goldie Garneau and assemble a rag-tag gang, build and manage your criminal empire, and defend your turf from rival gangs. It’s up to you to hustle, charm, and intimidate your way to the top and do whatever it takes to stay there – break a leg!
Roleplay: Choose one of fourteen unique bosses based on fictional and real-world gangsters, then set out to build and manage your criminal empire in Chicago’s infamous Prohibition era.
Empire Management: Build your Empire of Sin and run Chicago’s underworld economy with business savvy, brutality or city-wide notoriety. Strategically manage your establishments such as speakeasies, supply chains, casinos and more.
Turn-Based Combat: Assemble your gang and slug it out in turn-based combat to defend and expand your territory – or send a message to opposing gangs.
Game Discussion
Steam User 10
So I've played this loads on my PS5. The original devs of the game (Romero Games) abandoned it after getting out the first dlc, ban people on Discord who mentions it and are generally not great people (this went on for years). This caused MANY fair negative reviews because of left bugs and the fact if you bought the season pass, the promised second dlc was never released. HOWEVER. A new studio has took the reigns very recently and created the second dlc, as well as some bug fixes.
About the game, well its an enjoyable mix of XCOM combat, unique characters and amusing business sim. For me a solid 7/10.
I hope the game gets a fairer chance now that its had some content again. Be amazing if development continues past this, but I wouldn't hold your breath
Steam User 10
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 added by the DLC.
Recommended
Finally, a game that lets you be the Mob's Accountant.
If you played Empire of Sin at launch and hated the repetitive combat, the Make It Count DLC (paired with the free Precinct Update) is what saves the game. It shifts the focus from "kill every guard in Chicago" to "bankrupt your rivals."
Why the DLC makes it count:
Maxim Zelnick: He’s arguably the most interesting boss. His "Bolster the Ranks" ability is a life-saver in tough fights.
The Loan Shark Racket: This finally gives you something to do with your cash other than just upgrading speakeasies. It creates a "Blackmail" loop that feels actually mob-like.
The Fixer Class: These gangsters are game-changers. Being able to bribe your way out of combat or use Caltrops to control the battlefield adds a tactical layer the base game lacked.
2026 Status: The game is bug-free for the most part now. It's a solid "B+" strategy game. Don't play the base game without this DLC.
Steam User 7
Love the game! Wish it wasn’t abandoned though. I hope they revitalize it. Not holding my breath.
Steam User 7
I really enjoy playing this game but the glitches annoy me. I wish the developers would fix this
Steam User 6
This is a difficult review to write-- well no, it isn't: This is a difficult review to choose "Yes" or "No" for "Do you recommend this game?"
I love this game, I want to love this game, and I want to hate this game.
I love the aesthetic of this game! It's very fun, something I see in movies a lot, but not in this kind of game. I love the side missions, and the character missions(at least the two I played), I constantly found myself going "I want to try the other paths later". I love building up you crew, and coming up with neat battle-plans. Trying to survive in the early game is hard, yet rewarding (in hard mode).
I want to love the combat, it's very fun for the first ten hours, but it is trivialised by building teams with the right characters(As many doctors with rifles/snipers as you can, with maybe a few non doctors with neat abilities/people for finishing off multiple enemies, also bleed/poison weapons). Boss abilities range from "fun, interesting, yet game breaking" to "might as well be a basic unit with health dialed up". Outdoor combat is even more trivialised(usually enemy parties are small and ambush mode is super abusable).
I want to love the mechanics, like building up your rackets, planting moles, negotiation, assigning under-bosses, leaving gangsters in buildings... except half of those are only really important until you build a strong team, and the other half can be completely ignored. I tried interacting with the police more on my latest play. Spent a lot befriending them, bought a nice accessory, and a gun, lost friendship... felt like there was something missing. Gangster relationships was a fun idea, but implementation feels mediocre, and meeting someone your crew member loves on the opposing team is an exercise in annoyance,
The lack of game speed adjustment is egregious; Sitting around for ten minutes, faffing about because you cannot declare any wars for several in-game weeks, you've done your missions and you cannot buy anyone out for three months kills my focus. Managing 7+ characters per turn(at once, because of course I have high initiative that only bosses beat) drags on. Things just drag on and on once you have everything figured out. Short of giving yourself rules, like "I can't use X characters" or "my party has to stay below X size"... the game drags... far too long, as you take down one player at a time.
Unless you are a completionist, the game's replayability is basically zilch. Or rather-- There is tremendous replayability in the first couple hours, the first couple neighbourhoods... for the story of the different bosses, and the longer side missions... but everything after that, until the end, grows boring. Side missions from your team members might add some spice, but it seems only half of them have any.
My play time says 144 hours... at least some of that was walking away for supper or getting distracted by funny videos because things were slow and repetitive. There isn't really any reason to play past a certain point. There's only one end to the game, whether you buy or kill your foes... eliminate every "player". Once you've done it once, you've done it.
Also, there are glitches. They aren't too bad(I mean, it was funny watching my boss get shot unconscious and then back to 3 health), but they are notable at times, so if you hate seeing your unit forget how to path, or having to reload and restart a combat because the game sent misread a click(rare, but I lost at least one unit that way) that may bother you.
Despite everything I've said, I liked the game enough to play it more than once. I have over 100 hours in it. I really enjoyed it at one point. Also, I hear someone is working on adding content(though I've been hearing that for years). I certainly would not pay full price for it now, but it is good fun, if you get it.
Steam User 4
I honestly love this game. I know it had some issues on console but I never ran into any issues on PC.
Steam User 5
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.