Best Management Games On Building A Criminal Empire

Management games come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, ranging from running a hotel to running a city, and even some games delve into the criminal underworld. There have been a variety of management titles over the years that allow the player to hire their own assortment of goons and eventually run the streets as a notorious crime syndicate family.

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With an abundance of ways to run a criminal empire, these are by far some of the best management games for players who wish to make an offer the NPCs of these games cannot refuse as they work their way to the top of the criminal food chain.

8

Company Of Crime

Build A Criminal Empire In 1960s London

• Platforms: PC
• Release Date: August 8, 2020
• Developer: Resistance Games
• Genres: RPG, Action, Strategy

While the majority of criminal empire games tend to put players in the heart of the largest cities in America, Company of Crime instead puts the player in charge of building their criminal empire in London during the 1960s.

While the game does possess XCOM style combat when players face off against the police or other gangs, a large chunk of the gameplay in Company of Crime does revolve around the player managing their empire by purchasing legitimate businesses so that the player can use their backrooms for criminal purposes.

7

Omerta – City Of Gangsters

Work Up The Criminal Hierarchy

While Omerta – City of Gangsters does have combat within it, this title is perfect for those looking for a criminal empire game that puts heavy focus on expanding their empire in the city. Starting off in Omerta as an immigrant, the player must gradually work their way to the top, hiring goons and buffing up their business until they finally have the means to take on the opposing gangs of Atlantic City during the 1920s.

The gameplay loop of Omerta is also incredibly simple for the player to understand, which will leave many players to find great enjoyment as they focus on running their own little mafia that will eventually run the entire city, if they keep to it.

6

Empire Of Sin

Strategy Meets Management For Criminals In Chicago

Released

December 1, 2020

Developer(s)

Romero Games

Empire of Sin plays incredibly similar to Company of Criminals due to not only possessing strategic gameplay that rivals the likes of XCOM, but also providing players with a game that allows them to build their own criminal empire as one of multiple gangs that are attempting to make Chicago in the 1920s their home with no room for the other gangs.

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When players aren’t fighting against other gangs, a mobster must build their business. Players can build an assortment of establishments in Empire of Sin, from speakeasies and casinos to fleshed out supply chains to provide equipment and the funds to grow. All this while negotiating with the other bosses in the city, as not everything must be dealt with using violence.

5

Evil Genius 2: World Domination

A Criminal Mastermind Verses The World

Systems

Released

March 30, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Criminal empire management games may commonly have the player creating their own mafia or gang, but some games create a different sort of criminal empire. Evil Genius 2: World Domination allows the player to take the role of a villainous evil overlord as they attempt to take over the world.

However, before a player can take over the world in Evil Genius 2, they must first create their secret evil lair. In this management title, the player must construct their own evil lair, create an abundance of anti-heroes, and take part in plenty of dastardly plots to prove themselves as the most evil genius in the world.

4

City Of Gangsters

Manage Criminal Empire Production Chains

Crime

Management

Strategy

Released

August 9, 2021

Developer(s)

SomaSim

Publisher(s)

Kasedo Games

Players that are looking for purely a management title that involves building a criminal empire should look no further than City of Gangsters. In this management tycoon, the player first starts with nothing and must build various businesses around the city in the hopes of making not only a profit but also a name for themselves through various criminal activities that grow the mob they have created.

While any tycoon game may be great for players looking to make a profit, territory is far more important for any gangster hoping to make a name for themselves in this City of Gangsters. It may sound simple to grow, but the player must work against the clock, as after 1933, alcohol will be legal once more, and speakeasies will no longer be profitable.

3

All In The Game: Crime Strategy

Plenty Of Potential To Become The Kingpin

• Platforms: PC
• Release Date: June 25, 2024
• Developer: Strangelet Games
• Genres: Simulation, Strategy

All in the Game: Crime Strategy may be an early access title on Steam, but it definitely deserves some more attention from players looking for a criminal empire management game. In this turn-based strategy title, the player is tasked once more with growing their small street gang into a successful crime syndicate.

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From various robberies to deals on the black market, every task brings the player’s gang one step closer to becoming a group others shouldn’t mess with. Even in early access, All in the Game shows great potential with plenty promised for the future that will add even more interesting mechanics to this crime building title.

2

Cartel Tycoon

Make History In The Cartel

• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5
• Release Date: July 26, 2022
• Developer: Moon Moose
• Genres: Simulation, Strategy, Action

During the 80s and 90s, the narcotics trade was incredibly popular for criminals. Players can become their own tycoon as a leader of the Cartel in Cartel Tycoon as they relive one of the most infamous times in recent history.

In this cutthroat business trade sim, players are expected to not only grow their supply of narcotics, but also their Cartel, which hopes to overthrow the power-hungry drug lord to become the leader themselves. Players are expected to not only expand their business in Cartel Tycoon, but also protect it from the rival gangs that also hope to make a profit off the player’s merchandise.

1

Drug Dealer Simulator 2

Become The Greatest Drug Lord

Simulation

Open-World

Crime

Released

June 20, 2024

Developer(s)

Byterunners

Publisher(s)

Movie Games S.A.

By far one of the greatest management games for those hoping to build their own empire should look no further than Drug Dealer Simulator 2. At the start of the game, things may be slow, as players can only rely on themselves to both grow the merchandise and sell it.

However, as players make more money and also make a name for themselves, they can eventually hire others to sell their drugs for them and finally become the drug lord they always wished they could be in Drug Dealer Simulator 2. This gang can truly be grown as players not only hire people but also assign ranks to allow them to fully customize their criminal organization.

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