Empire of Sin review – goodfellas, but not greatfellas, in 1920s Chicago

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Mac; Romero Games/Paradox Interactive
As a prohibition-era mob boss, you're at war with rival gangs as well as the police in this ambitious, if uneven, gangster sim

Brick-by-brick and bullet-by-bullet, Empire of Sin tasks you with building your own criminal syndicate in prohibition-era Chicago. Assuming control of one of 14 different mob bosses (including Alphonse Scarface" Capone), you must establish speakeasies and casinos, supply them with illicitly brewed alcohol, and protect them from the police and rival gangs.

This is a detailed, structurally unusual game of economy management and violence. Each of Chicago's districts has a thirst for booze, varying from low-grade swill to top-quality whiskey, depending on the area's prosperity. Slaking this thirst through your speakeasies will earn you cash, which can be spent on upgrading your establishments to provide better quality drink and attract a more affluent clientele.