Cartel Tycoon

Cartel Tycoon is a strategy and management game set in a fictional version of Latin America during the 80s, a time marked by the rise of drug cartels, institutional corruption and unleashed violence. Developed by Moon Moose and published by tinyBuild, this title is not a simple city builder, but a narrative and economic experience where morality disappears as quickly as the price of cocaine rises.

Inspired by classics such as Tropico or Constructor, but with an aesthetic and tone reminiscent of popular series like Narcos, Cartel Tycoon puts the player in the shoes of a drug dealer who wants to expand their criminal empire while dodging the authorities, controlling their network and not letting any death put at risk such a big business – including their own. Death, in fact, is not the end. It is just a part of the cycle.

Gameplay: Between strategic management and the emerging narrative about organized crime

The playable core of Cartel Tycoon is based on expansion and control of an illegal drug empire. It all starts modestly: a small laboratory, a clandestine track and a couple of marijuana farms. But soon you will find yourself moving tons of cocaine, bribing politicians, smuggling through international ports and dealing with the suspicions of the army.

The game forces you to manage a complex logistics chain: production, storage, transportation, money laundering and distribution. Each of these steps requires specific infrastructures, well-laid out routes and reliable personnel. The resource system is divided between legal and illegal money, which adds a tactical layer: do you invest in money laundering or do you use it directly to accelerate your expansion while assuming the risk?

One of the most original elements is the system of "lieutenants", who are key characters with special abilities. Some move goods faster, others reduce the level of suspicion, and some can even eliminate rivals... the hard way. These characters are not only strategic tools, they also have stories, relationships and can betray you if they feel neglected or overshadowed.

Cartel Tycoon introduces also the mechanics of the kingpin's permanent death. But if you fall, the game is still not over. You can choose one of your lieutenants as a successor, but this comes with risks and changes: some of your people may rebel, territories may be lost, but the legacy of the previous drug lord will mark the beginning of a new empire.

Game modes: Campaign, sandbox and criminal challenges

Cartel Tycoon offers several game modes to suit different playing styles. The campaign guides you through a story of criminal ascent with narrative decisions, dialogues and conflicts between characters. Although linear at some points, it allows you to experience all the game's systems while enjoying a more personal story.

The sandbox mode, on the other hand, is the jewel for those who like strategy without restrictions. Here you can set up the initial conditions, choose the map and launch yourself to build the perfect cartel. The difficulty is gradual, and emerging events (such as raids, betrayals or political changes) keep the game dynamic.

There are also special scenarios that work as closed challenges with specific objectives — ideal for shorter game sessions or to practice specific mechanics, such as money laundering or territorial expansion.

Story: An empire built on blood and banknotes

Although it is a strategy game, Cartel Tycoon puts a lot of emphasis on the story. Through events, dialogues and missions, we are told the story of the rise and fall of the most powerful kingpins of the fictional region where the game is set. The narrative is not just a context — it influences key decisions and can radically change the course of your game.

The tone is raw, but with a certain stylization. It does not try to glorify violence or present drug traffickers as heroes, but neither does it moralize. It limits itself to showing the rules of the power game, where greed, betrayal and impunity are common currency.

Some lines of dialogue and cinematics are clearly inspired by series such as Breaking Bad or Narcos, with moments of dramatic tension and phrases that define the characters. Even so, the game maintains a cartoonish aesthetic that softens the rawness of the theme without eliminating it completely.

Visual aesthetics and setting: Color, corruption and 80s culture

Visually, Cartel Tycoon is committed to an isometric aesthetic with colorful touches and an artistic design that balances realism with stylized drawing. The cities, jungles, rivers and ports are designed with detail, and although the characters do not have complex animations, they do have unique comic-style looks that help identify them.

The Latin American atmosphere is pretty well achieved. From the names of the characters to the villages full of churches, monuments to the fallen kingpin or haciendas full of kitsch luxury — everything enhances the atmosphere of corruption, power and regional culture. The architecture, vehicles and visual elements constantly refer to the 80s, which brings a clear identity to the game world.

Sound and music: Latin rhythms at the service of organized crime

The sound section in Cartel Tycoon is fundamental. The music combines Latin rhythms such as salsa, cumbia or bolero with electronic and cinematic arrangements that add intensity to strategic decisions. It's not just about setting the mood, but about reinforcing the tone: when everything is going well, the music is cheerful and carefree; when the army arrives, the cheerful instruments disappear and deep basses take over.

The sound effects: pickup truck engines, distant shots, helicopters, phone calls, complement the atmosphere well. The dialogues are good, providing a mixture of languages and accents which reinforces the international and corrupt character of the game world.

Conclusion: A criminal strategy jewel with its own identity

Cartel Tycoon is a unique game within the management genre. The criminal setting, succession mechanics, money laundering systems and the narrative approach make it much more than a simple city builder. It is a game that traps you with its possibilities, forces you to make doubtful moral decisions, and throws you into a spiral of ambition and crime that can only end badly... but spectacularly.

It may not be as deep in micromechanics as other titles of the genre, but its thematic proposal, its ambience and its replayability make it stand out. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to run a drug empire from the comfort of your desk, Cartel Tycoon might give you an addictive response.