Narcos: Rise of the Cartels

About

Narcos Rise of the Cartels is a turn-based strategy game that blends resource management with narrative-driven decision making. You take control of rival drug factions during the 1980s cocaine boom choosing between Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel or the rival Cali organization. Each faction has its own goals and challenges requiring you to balance territory expansion cash flow and alliances while navigating political and military threats. The grid based combat system lets you plan operations in real time before switching to tactical turns to execute them. Choices affect relationships with authorities rivals and civilians creating branching outcomes that shape the story. The game leans into its source material with detailed period setting and character interactions though it adds strategic depth through economic mechanics and risk assessment. While not a simulation purist it offers 30+ hours of content across both campaigns with optional missions and difficulty settings. Available on PC and consoles since late 2019 it maintains a 70% critic score on Metacritic with praise for its educational value about cartel dynamics despite some pacing issues. The Switch port makes it accessible for handheld play though the complex menus show its 2019 development roots.