Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Gangsters 2 offers a deep blend of strategic city management and tactical skirmishes, all set against the backdrop of Prohibition-era crime. You step into the shoes of Joey Bane, building your criminal empire block by block: recruiting specialists in explosives, guns, driving, assassinations, racketeering, extortion, and more. Every decision—from where to set up an illegal brewery to which streets to shake down—feels weighted with consequence and potential profit.

The core loop revolves around selecting profitable rackets, dispatching your crew to collect protection money or hijack shipments, and then investing those proceeds into better equipment, bribery, or reinforcements. Missions range from routine “collections” to high-stakes assassination plots. You can plan a moonshine convoy, hire getaway drivers, and even coordinate multi-team hits. This variety keeps each game session fresh, as you constantly adapt to rival gangs encroaching on your territory.

Progression in Gangsters 2 isn’t just linear. As you expand, you unlock new specialist types—like safecrackers and informants—and uncover hidden resources in the city. Balancing cash flow against heat from the police and rival mobs creates a tense risk-vs-reward dynamic. Will you invest in more brutal enforcers to scare locals into paying up, or upgrade your racketeering network to launder money more efficiently? These strategic choices define your path to dominance.

Graphics

Visually, Gangsters 2 embraces a richly detailed 2D isometric art style that brings Temperance’s streets to life. Cobbled alleys, neon-lit speakeasies, and grand old mansions all pop with period-accurate signage and weathered textures. The color palette perfectly captures the gloom of Prohibition, with desaturated buildings punctuated by the bright flash of gunfire and the warm glow of a hidden bar.

Character sprites are small but expressive: you can easily distinguish a fedora-wearing hitman from your burly demolition expert. Combat animations—smoke puffing from revolvers, grenades shattering windows, cars peeling out—are fluid and impactful. Even the quiet moments, like bribing a corrupt cop or tailing a courier, have subtle animations that heighten immersion.

The UI balances functional clarity with thematic flair. Menus are styled as old newspapers and clipboards, complete with period font choices and parchment textures. An optional day-night cycle drapes your empire in shifting light, while dynamic weather effects—rain-soaked streets, drifting fog—add atmosphere. The game runs smoothly on modest hardware, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and performance stability.

Story

The narrative thrust of Gangsters 2 centers on Joey Bane’s quest for vengeance after his father is gunned down running liquor for a rival faction. Returning to a transformed Temperance, Joey finds the streets ruled by ruthless mobs with corrupt cops in their pockets. His uncle’s narrow escape from the same ambush adds urgency to Joey’s mission: bring down the killer and uncover the puppeteers pulling the strings.

As you delve deeper into the criminal underworld, the plot unfolds with plenty of twists. The mobster who ordered the hit on Joey’s family proves to be just a small cog in a larger conspiracy. Each campaign chapter introduces new adversaries and uneasy alliances, forcing you to confront betrayal, double-crosses, and moral ambiguity. Key cutscenes and dialogue sequences are delivered with gritty atmosphere and period slang that evoke classic gangster films.

Supporting characters round out the drama. From the smooth-talking lawyer who launders your profits to the seasoned bootlegger with secrets of her own, each specialist you recruit brings a unique backstory. This injects personality into every mission, whether you’re staging a clandestine assassination in a back alley or negotiating peace with a rival boss in a smoke-filled office. The storytelling keeps you invested in Joey’s odyssey from street-level tough to mob kingpin.

Overall Experience

Gangsters 2 succeeds in marrying its strategic gameplay with an evocative Prohibition setting, delivering an experience that feels both weighty and entertaining. The constant tug-of-war between growing your empire and defending it from enemies creates an addictive tension. Few games capture the era’s blend of glamour and gritty violence so well.

While there’s a steep learning curve for newcomers to the 2D isometric strategy genre, the game’s pacing lets you ease into complex mechanics. Veteran strategy players will appreciate the depth of crew customization and territory management, while story-driven gamers will be drawn in by Joey Bane’s personal vendetta. Multiplayer skirmishes and scenario editors offer added replay value for those who crave competitive or custom challenges.

Ultimately, Gangsters 2 stands as a compelling sequel that expands on its predecessor’s foundation with richer gameplay systems and a more immersive world. Whether you’re leveling up your racket, orchestrating a daring heist, or savoring the narrative beats of revenge and power, this title delivers a thoroughly engaging journey through the underworld of Prohibition America.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10