Omerta: City of Gangsters

Detailed but not too demanding. Buy this pacy 20s Mafia management game for the combat not the commerce.

Starting at $3.05Buy now

"Omerta: City of Gangsters" is a simulation game with tactical turn-based combat set in 1920's Atlantic City. As a fresh immigrant, players work their way up the criminal hierarchy, recruiting a gang and expanding their empire by taking territory. The game features a historically accurate city overview, 15 unique characters, and a RPG system for character development.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

61%

Audience ScoreBased on 853 reviews

story60 positive mentions

replayability6 negative mentions

Engaging atmosphere and setting in the Prohibition era, with a good soundtrack.
Fun turn-based combat that allows for strategic planning and character development.
Simple and accessible gameplay that can be enjoyable for casual players.

Repetitive gameplay with limited depth, leading to a lack of long-term engagement.
Combat can feel unbalanced and frustrating, with AI often having unfair advantages.
The requirement to start over in each new mission can be tedious and detracts from the overall experience.

story
293 mentions
20 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally described as engaging but somewhat clichéd, following a typical mafia narrative set during the Prohibition era. While some players appreciate the atmospheric setting and the depth of the storyline, many criticize the repetitive mission structure that resets progress after each chapter, leading to a lack of long-term engagement. Overall, the story is seen as a highlight for some, but its execution and connection to gameplay mechanics leave much to be desired, resulting in a mixed reception.
- “A very atmospheric experience with a surprisingly in-depth story and fun game mechanics.”
- “The story is amazing; it's one of the best parts of it.”
- “The story provides context and fleshes out the setting, giving you a nice backdrop for the game itself.”
- “This is not fundamentally a bad game, it just gets repetitive very quickly and the story is extremely non-engaging, so the whole experience becomes boring grinding with very little reward.”
- “The story is sadly just lacking; I felt uninterested in the story other than what the objectives were and paid no attention to the overall story of the game.”
- “The management gameplay mechanics are incredibly simple, and I felt that within a few hours of play I was simply repeating the same set of actions over and over for each mission.”
gameplay
127 mentions
35 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of simple management mechanics and turn-based combat, drawing comparisons to titles like Tropico and XCOM. While some players appreciate the fun and engaging aspects of managing a criminal empire, many criticize the repetitive nature and lack of depth in the mechanics, leading to a feeling of monotony over time. Overall, the game offers an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre, but it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.
- “Fantastic game.. atmosphere is good as is the gameplay.”
- “Fun and varied gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is entertaining; you manage your criminal empire, renting warehouses to expand storage facilities, drive-bys to vacate the competition, and establish your own joints or premises from which you draw income in dirty or clean money.”
- “Every mechanic in the game is fairly simplistic or shallow, so you don't get to enjoy any of the aspects a ton.”
- “The game has a nice premise, but the gameplay loop is boring.”
- “The management gameplay mechanics are incredibly simple and I felt that within a few hours of play I was simply repeating the same set of actions over and over for each mission.”
graphics
54 mentions
35 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the attention to detail and atmospheric design that evokes a classic gangster theme, while others criticize them as dated or mediocre. Many players appreciate the art style and smooth performance, but note a lack of variety and depth in the environments. Overall, the visuals are seen as a highlight for some, but not enough to elevate the gameplay experience for others.
- “Love the attention to detail in the graphics and the gangster theme.”
- “The graphics really give off that Godfather video game vibe, which was one of the top reasons I wanted to buy the game.”
- “The graphics are amazing, and I spent ages zooming in and looking at the details of houses and roadways while I was waiting for money to accumulate. The voiceovers are great, and there are a lot of details in the cities and menus that I loved.”
- “Graphics are dated.”
- “The graphics are okay, but the environments are kind of bland.”
- “Completely unoptimized, cheesy graphics, lame storyline, skin-deep gameplay... don't get it.”
music
50 mentions
62 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively capturing the jazz and swing vibe of the prohibition era, which enhances the overall experience. While many players find the soundtrack enjoyable and immersive, some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of music, voice acting, and environmental sounds contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “Voice acting, music, and environmental sounds are excellent and immersed me in the game.”
- “The mood in the game is great with one of the best soundtracks in any game.”
- “Seriously, the soundtrack is among the greatest jazz/swing stuff I have ever heard, and I listen to that type of music regularly.”
- “Visuals and soundtrack here are weak and pretty much no special effects.”
- “Art is so so and music very repetitive.”
- “But this seemed to miss the mark with me, the main game feels a lot like a board game, and the music I swear I heard in a Monopoly computer game I got from a cereal box in the 90s.”
atmosphere
20 mentions
70 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, effectively capturing the essence of the 1920s and the steampunk genre. Reviewers highlight the combination of sound design, graphics, and music that enhances the overall experience, making it both relaxing and thrilling. The setting, reminiscent of crime syndicates during the Prohibition era, adds depth to the gameplay and resonates well with fans of the genre.
- “A very atmospheric experience with a surprisingly in-depth story and fun game mechanics.”
- “Great atmosphere game, which transports you into the 1920's Atlantic City and lets you climb the crime ladder in the turbulent times of the prohibition.”
- “The atmosphere is great and the single-player campaign is spot-on.”
- “This game has the feel and overall atmosphere of the steampunk genre, although it revolves around 1920/1930 crime syndicates and their emergence due to the prohibition in America during that era, instead of a fantasy theme.”
- “Omerta captures the atmosphere with the music, maps, and characters perfectly.”
- “The ambiance, atmosphere, and management wins this game.”
replayability
18 mentions
22 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players finding it engaging and fun for multiple playthroughs, while others criticize it for being scripted and lacking depth, leading to minimal replay value. Many reviews highlight that after initial enjoyment, the game becomes repetitive and offers little incentive to return. A few players note improvements from recent updates, but the consensus leans towards limited replayability.
- “The actual strategic combat gameplay is relatively well done and it makes for a really engaging experience with lots of replayability.”
- “This game has major replay value.”
- “A simple, fun little game with decent replay value.”
- “If you're really starved for a mafia game, then this for sale price wouldn't be that bad, but don't expect depth or any replay value.”
- “After you run through it a few times, it has almost no replayability.”
- “It is all scripted and there is no replayability at all.”
humor
11 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring some genuinely funny moments and clever references, particularly in voice acting and character interactions. However, many players feel that the humor does not consistently enhance the experience, with some jokes falling flat and the overall execution being undermined by bugs and a lack of depth. While there are amusing elements, they often feel overshadowed by gameplay issues, leading to a less enjoyable long-term experience.
- “There are jokes in the game that are pretty funny and reference other games.”
- “He runs further into the fire and shoots at me from there with a flamethrower… ok, ironic and a bit funny… I am now on fire, he is on fire, and the fire he is standing in is spreading.”
- “The voice acting is funny and not too cheesy.”
grinding
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often leading to a lack of engagement with the story and overall experience. The core gameplay loop is described as limited and frustrating, with combat and resource management feeling particularly dull and anti-climactic. Many reviewers express disappointment in how the game transforms potentially interesting mechanics into a grind reminiscent of less enjoyable, soul-crushing games.
- “This is not fundamentally a bad game, it just gets repetitive very quickly and the story is extremely non-engaging, so the whole experience becomes boring grinding with very little reward.”
- “How you can make a mafia RPG this frustratingly pointless and tedious is beyond me, but you should receive an award for that.”
- “Now I am a fan of turn-based strategy games and I gotta admit the combat in this game is tedious at best.”
stability
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally criticized, with users reporting frequent bugs that affect gameplay, particularly in combat and management mechanics. While some players find the issues manageable, the overall consensus indicates that the game suffers from significant stability problems, reminiscent of mobile game quality.
- “The original game wasn't really worthwhile, mainly because it was quite buggy.”
- “Combat is terrible, buggy, and unbalanced.”
- “I could go through and point out all the flaws, the buggy combat, the boring management style, but it's best summed up that this game plays like a mobile game.”
character development
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as satisfactory, with some reviewers noting it is not particularly deep but still effective. While it may not reach the complexity found in titles like Blackguards 2, the main character's development is highlighted as a strong point. Overall, players feel that the character progression is adequate, regardless of their level of engagement with the game.
- “Good character development.”
- “Not to spoil, but the main character development is one of the best.”
- “The combat and maps were 'ok'; look to games like Blackguards 2 for an example of more complex maps and character development.”
- “No matter if I play a level completely through, conquer all the properties, and finish every detail, or do the bare minimum, it does not change the character development.”
- “Character development is not too deep but gets the job done.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is criticized for being a blatant cash grab, reminiscent of typical Facebook games, with intrusive ads and forced registration that detracts from the overall experience. Players express frustration over the aggressive monetization tactics, leading to a negative reception.
- “It attempts to play off old gangster clichés to create a cheap cash grab that plays about as well as you would expect.”
- “So I can only guess what all that means in terms of what rat race, paywall, and in-game purchase nightmares might await, in line with how most Facebook games work.”
- “Well, I have installed the game, and when I try to start it, it throws some stupid ads in my face and tries to force me to register on a service it doesn't bother to even tell me about (some 'Kalypso' bull I presume by the tiny logo on the bottom of the startup screen). I don't want this, so this game is a no-go.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional connection to the game's characters, leading to moments of genuine sentiment, such as tears during pivotal realizations. The memorable nature of the gang members fosters attachment, reminiscent of titles like X-Com and Darkest Dungeon, but with a more forgiving approach to character mortality.
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- “It immediately made me feel better.”
- “Because your gang members are such memorable characters, you can develop an emotional attachment to them, similar to XCOM or Darkest Dungeon (with much lower mortality rates than those two games).”
optimization
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its poor optimization, with many users expressing doubt that it will ever be fully resolved. While character stats do not influence performance on the strategic map, character classes do affect the execution of actions.
- “The stats of characters do not impact their performance on the strategic map, such as moving around and building structures; however, character classes significantly influence how effectively they execute their actions.”
- “The optimization of character classes allows for a more strategic approach to gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “I appreciate how the game balances character stats and classes, ensuring that strategic decisions are more impactful than raw numbers.”
- “It's disgustingly unoptimized, and probably will never be fixed completely.”
- “The stats of characters do not impact the performance of characters on the strategic map (moving around the map and building buildings); however, character classes do impact how well they execute their actions.”