Being a big fan of gangster / mafia movies and games -- and a growing interest in X-Com-style games -- I've thought of picking this game up many times but the terrible reviews have kept me away. I have found a few -- mainly on console -- who enjoyed the game so I wanted to ask...

... from someone who has played the game...

What are your thoughts on it?

Is there any fun to be had or is it just a waste of time?

I completed the base game and played some multiplayer battles and I liked the game a lot. It's not the best in the genre of turn-based strategy, but the combat is solid and the atmosphere is quite good. City building aspect is underdeveloped though and sandbox mode quite useless because of that.

Think most of the negative reviews come from the fact that it was the first game that brought DLCs to GOG. Before that they only sold complete editions and so it was a controversial topic back them.

Personally I couldnt get into it. There felt like there was something "missing" from the entire setup making it feel flimsy and bland.

However this was years ago and the game may have updated since.

Thanks! Appreciate your thoughts.

Makes me a bit less apprehensive. Certainly love the style of what I've seen on YouTube. Appreciate it. Yeah, have heard this from a few people.

If you go in not expecting too much, then you won't be too disappointed.
If you get it cheap enough, it is worth playing through once.
I wouldn't bother with the sandbox mode though.

If ye like this type of games, give it a try. Or at least check out some gameplay vids.

Many people had high hopes for the game before release. And it was nothing special in the end + with bugs = bad rating.

But it's not a completely bad game either.

Tactical battles are very good, strategic part is very weak. So if you like turn based battles I would say give it a try. If you are good then playing on hard is probably a very good idea - battles will be very challenging but still doable. You have to master special skills of your characters (they can make a difference!) and pick your squad members carefully

The story isn't deep. Characters are rather stereotypical. Building up your empire can be fun but it's done so often for each scenario it soon becomes a chore.

I'm not sure how the Gold version changes things with the DLCs but I only played the basic game. Might fit your bill if you are looking for a cheap gangster game with some turn based combat elements, just don't expect a deep plot or mechanics as it does everything rather light.