Empire of Sin (video game)

Empire of Sin is a strategy video game, 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 uses their boss to control the actions of their underlings to take over opponents' business and recruit new members to their cause while defending their own empire from the other bosses.

Empire of Sin
Developer(s)Romero Games
Publisher(s)Paradox Interactive
EngineUnity[1]
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
ReleaseDecember 1, 2020
Genre(s)Strategy, Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

Empire of Sin plays as a real time strategy game with the player taking the role of a crime boss in the Prohibition era, starting anew in 1920 and trying to gain control of Chicago by 1933.[2] As the boss, they can enlist up to 16 underlings from 60 potential ones to manage their empire of questionable businesses, such as speakeasies, casinos, and brothels, protecting them from the law and rival mafia gangs, while trying to extend their own influence by taking over others.[3] The game uses alcohol as a type of currency to extend the empire's influence. Alcohol can be made by breweries under the player's control, given to the player by allies, or rewarded as part of completing various missions. The quality of alcohol can impact its influence; poor quality alcohol can be made cheaply and initially sold at a high profit, but over time will lose its value.[2]

Taking over another business may involve direct combat, during which the game enters a turn-based strategy game similar to X-Com, or can occur through other persuasive means, including short-term alliances with other gangs to defeat a common foe. Combat and other situations are impacted by various traits and perks the characters have, and may cause them to act differently from the player's orders. For example, a character with the "Hair Trigger" trait may fire their weapon rather than moving to cover when ordered. These traits can change over the course of a game; an underling may become more accustomed to solving problems through violent means the more they are put in such conditions, for example.[4]

Controlling more territory gives the gang boss more funds to better arm their underlings or to recruit new members. The game is partially roguelike in nature as the businesses on the game's map reallocate each playthrough, and new characters are generated with different perks each time.[5] Some have compared Empire of Sin as a successor to the 1999 game Mob Rule.[3]

Development

Empire of Sin was developed by the wife-and-husband team Brenda and John Romero of Romero Games, with Brenda as the lead designer. According to John, Brenda's past game development history which included the Wizardry video game series and board games based on historical scenarios, had given her great insights into role-playing games (RPG) and creating gameplay systems that focused on character interactions. The Prohibition era ideas behind Empire of Sin had been something she wanted to do for 20 years.[5] This led to the pair seeking Paradox Interactive as their publishing partner given that Paradox is well known for historical simulation games.[5]

The game was first revealed as part of Nintendo's Direct presentation at E3 2019. It was released on Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch.[5] While its initial release was planned for the second quarter of 2020, Romero Games announced the game would be delayed until December 1, 2020 for additional polish.[6][7]

Reception

Critical response

Empire of Sin received "mixed or average" reviews on the PC version 65/100[8] and the Xbox One version 67/100,[10] and "generally unfavorable reviews" for the PlayStation 4 version 44/100,[9] according to Metacritic.

References
  1. Romero, Brenda (July 23, 2020). "Game-developer Brenda Romero states Unity as the game-engine during an AMA on Reddit - Ask Me Anything 2020". Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  2. O'Brien, Lucy (August 21, 2019). "Empire of Sin Is XCOM Meets Boardwalk Empire, and It Looks Brilliant - Gamescom 2019". IGN. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  3. Ip, Chris (June 17, 2019). "'Empire of Sin' looks like a new-school 'Mob Rule'". Engadget. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  4. Gwaltrey, Javy (June 17, 2019). "Empire Of Sin". Game Informer. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  5. Glagowski, Peter (June 17, 2019). "Empire of Sin is a dream game for John and Brenda Romero". Destructoid. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  6. Priestman, Chris (February 18, 2020). "Empire of Sin has been delayed until autumn 2020". PC Gamer. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  7. Romano, Sal (September 17, 2020). "Empire of Sin launches December 1". Gematsu. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  8. "Empire of Sin for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  9. "Empire of Sin for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  10. "Empire of Sin for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
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