Empire of Sin

Empire of Sin is a strategy game by Romero Games about organized crime in 1920s Chicago. You lead a gangster boss, build a network of illegal businesses and defend its influence in turn-based fights against rival gangs.

Empire of Sin was released on Dec 1, 2020 for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. The game was developed by Romero Games and published by Paradox Interactive. Later, the expansions Make It Count and Hunt for Aurora were added, among others.

Native versions are available for PC, PS4, Xbox One and Switch. On PC, the game is also available for macOS. On PS5 and Xbox Series, the respective older console versions can be played through backward compatibility. This is not a standalone release for those console generations.

Empire of Sin alternates between building a criminal empire and turn-based shootouts. You negotiate with rival bosses, take over businesses and deploy armed groups to control streets, buildings and income.

The two major expansions are called Make It Count and Hunt for Aurora. Make It Count expands the boss and economy systems, among other things. Hunt for Aurora adds a new story, more characters and ventures. The Expansion Pass bundles the two major expansions with additional content.

On Windows, Empire of Sin requires at least a Core i3-530 or Phenom II X3 720, 4 GB RAM and a GeForce GTX 460 or Radeon R7 250, according to Steam. Recommended are a Core i5-4460 or Ryzen 5 3400G, 8 GB RAM and stronger graphics hardware. About 10 GB of storage is required.

At the start, you choose one of 14 gangster bosses, including Al Capone, Stephanie St. Clair and Goldie Garneau. Each boss shapes your entry into the Chicago underworld. Your decisions affect alliances, conflicts and building your own empire.

The setting is Chicago during American alcohol Prohibition. The city becomes a contested economic space made up of districts and rival groups. Influence comes from businesses, armed control and relations with other organizations.

Illegal businesses are the main source of income. You manage speakeasies and casinos, among other things, plan supplies and control your network’s growth. The economy demands choices between short-term income and securing territory in the long run.

Fights are fought with a squad of gangsters you assemble. Each character acts in its turn, so positioning, attack options and team makeup affect the outcome. Battles serve both to defend existing businesses and to expand.

The boss doesn’t fight alone: recruited gangsters form the strike team. The makeup of the group determines which roles are taken on in attacks and defense. The loss of a capable member can make further expansion harder.

Negotiations can avoid conflicts or improve your position. Alongside shootouts, agreements and relations with other bosses are part of the strategy. Which gangster families work together determines how hard it is to hold a neighborhood economically.

The precinct system organizes territories into connected precincts. Depots and supply routes play a lasting role in expansion. The reworked territory management came out together with Make It Count and affects how businesses are spatially connected.

Make It Count adds the boss Maxim Zelnick, fixer gangsters and the loan business. It also expands the available missions and events. The content builds on the existing economy and combat system.

Hunt for Aurora adds another story revolving around a diamond heist in Chicago. With Robin Kray, new characters and additional businesses, the criminal network gets its own storylines. The expansion was released on June 18, 2025.

Deluxe Pack and Expansion Pass are separate add-ons to the base game. The Expansion Pass bundles the two major expansions. Smaller packs such as the Good Son Pack or Al Capone’s Fur Coat add specific content without being a separate base version.

Paradox supports modifications for Empire of Sin. Through the official Mods section, you can find and share content created by the community. The scope of individual mods depends on their creators.