City of Gangsters similar games & best alternatives

City of Gangsters

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2021

Should you play it?

In this management tycoon game, you’ll start a criminal operation from nothing and grow it into a well-oiled money machine! Build speakeasies and illegal distilleries. Manage production chains and resource distribution. Leverage favors, chase down debtors, and bribe the police to look the other way.

What works
  • Deep and addictive resource management
  • Immersive 1920s gangster atmosphere
  • Large procedurally generated maps
  • Active and responsive developers
  • Complex relationship and logistics systems
Things to keep in mind
  • Steep learning curve and early game tedium
  • Some ui clunkiness and excessive clicking
  • Random map generation can cause unplayable starts
  • Combat is minimal and abstracted
  • Late game micromanagement can be tedious

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • GearCity

  • Mad Games Tycoon

  • Empire TV Tycoon

  • GamersGoMakers

  • Imagine Earth

  • The Executive - Movie Industry Tycoon

  • Software Inc.

  • Weedcraft Inc

  • Potion Tycoon
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • GamersGoMakers

  • Restaurant Empire II

  • Franchise Hockey Manager 6
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Strategy

    Flesh Eaters
  • Autonomy

    Idol Manager
  • Competence

    Terracards

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

City of Gangsters: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Cooperation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fellowship, Cooperation, Violence.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have significant control over management decisions, idol training, scheduling, and business strategies, reflecting high autonomy."

    Capsule for Idol Manager Idol Manager

    "Players have significant control over strategic decisions, logistics, and relationship management, though some routines and automation exist."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Game involves skillful resource management, strategic planning, and overcoming complex challenges with feedback on performance."

    Capsule for Terracards Terracards

    "The game involves complex resource management, strategic planning, and overcoming logistical challenges with feedback on performance."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    2

    "There is competition against AI factions on a global map with conquest and diplomacy, but no evidence of ranked or direct player-vs-player competition."

    Capsule for KAISERPUNK KAISERPUNK

    "There is competition against AI rival gangs and police, but no evidence of ranked or player-vs-player competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Many players report long playtimes and habitual return; some mention addictive qualities and extensive hours played."

    Capsule for Pavlov Pavlov

    "Many players report long sessions and habitual play, with some noting addictive qualities and extensive playtime."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay focuses on individual empire building and competition; limited evidence of cooperative multiplayer or teamwork."

    Capsule for Plutocracy Plutocracy

    "Gameplay focuses on individual management of the criminal empire with limited collaboration; no multiplayer or team play."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players can build and customize trade routes, develop cities, and choose different strategies, though within a structured economic system."

    Capsule for Patrician III Patrician III

    "Players customize their empire through choices of products, routes, and relationships, though within structured systems."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    1

    "Players can dominate factions and towns, but interactions are balanced and not focused on social power."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Pirates! Sid Meier's Pirates!

    "Players exert control over rivals and territory, but interactions are balanced and do not emphasize power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the immersive 1920s mystery setting and character-driven story to escape real life."

    Capsule for Best Served Cold Best Served Cold

    "Players use the game to immerse in a 1920s gangster world, escaping real life through roleplay and strategic engagement."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for The Outlast Trials The Outlast Trials

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore different scenarios, weapons, and strategies, experimenting with game mechanics and routes."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 2 (1998) Resident Evil 2 (1998)

    "Players explore different strategies, maps, and mechanics, experimenting with logistics and relationships."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore procedurally generated maps and discover new areas, resources, and secrets."

    Capsule for Kingdom: Classic Kingdom: Classic

    "Players explore large procedurally generated maps, discovering resources, businesses, and opportunities."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some character customization and naming, but limited cosmetic or avatar personalization."

    Capsule for Evolution of Ages: Settlements Evolution of Ages: Settlements

    "Some customization of gang name, ethnicity, and traits, but limited avatar or environment personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Engages players in a stylized, fictionalized 1940s-50s mafia world with cinematic storytelling."

    Capsule for Mafia II: Definitive Edition Mafia II: Definitive Edition

    "Players experience a stylized 1920s gangster world with fictionalized elements and roleplay opportunities."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -3

    "Social interaction limited to NPC relationships; no multiplayer or community play reported."

    Capsule for Dice Gambit Dice Gambit

    "Social connections are mostly with NPCs; no multiplayer or community gameplay reported."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players learn and develop skills in logistics, planning, and optimization through gameplay."

    Capsule for Little Big Workshop Little Big Workshop

    "Players develop skills in logistics, strategy, and game mechanics, with a significant learning curve."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "The game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for The Political Process The Political Process

    "The game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires continuous attention and micromanagement, especially in mid to late game stages."

    Capsule for Settlement Survival Settlement Survival

    "Requires focused attention and micromanagement, especially in mid to late game stages."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited NPC interactions with minimal emotional depth; no close relationship building."

    Capsule for Kona II: Brume Kona II: Brume

    "Interactions are limited to transactional NPC relationships with minimal emotional depth."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    4

    "Players lead and manage staff and prisoners, making authoritative decisions and directing operations."

    Capsule for Prison Architect Prison Architect

    "Players lead their criminal organization, managing members and directing operations."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate upgrades, technology, and territory over time, reflecting clear progression."

    Capsule for Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients

    "Players accumulate territory, upgrades, items, and influence over time."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive, though difficulty and resource management can create tension."

    Capsule for Expeditions: Conquistador Expeditions: Conquistador

    "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive, though micromanagement can cause tension."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    1

    "The game provides moderate sensory stimulation through music and visuals but is not focused on excitement."

    Capsule for Sherlock Holmes - Nemesis Sherlock Holmes - Nemesis

    "The game offers moderate sensory stimulation through visuals and sound but is not focused on excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Players gain in-game recognition through titles and achievements, but social status outside the game is limited."

    Capsule for Warsim: The Realm of Aslona Warsim: The Realm of Aslona

    "Players gain recognition within the game world but no social status or popularity outside it."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative and character interactions provide context and motivation for missions."

    Capsule for American Theft 80s: Prologue American Theft 80s: Prologue

    "Narrative elements and roleplay are present through missions and character interactions."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Game heavily focuses on strategic planning, resource management, and tactical decision-making."

    Capsule for Flesh Eaters Flesh Eaters

    "The game heavily emphasizes strategic planning, problem solving, and resource management."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Some suspense from police encounters and risk management, but overall low tension gameplay."

    Capsule for Schedule I Schedule I

    "Some suspense from rivalries and police pressure, but overall low risk and controlled situations."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players report good value for time invested, especially with DLCs and replayability."

    Capsule for Age of Wonders: Planetfall Age of Wonders: Planetfall

    "Players report good value for time and money, especially with frequent updates and DLC."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -2

    "Combat exists but is limited and clunky; emphasis is more on crafting, building, and survival than violence."

    Capsule for Xsyon - Prelude Xsyon - Prelude

    "Violence is present but minimal and abstracted; focus is on business and logistics rather than combat."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players manage threats from law enforcement and rival gangs, balancing risk and expansion."

    Capsule for Cartel Tycoon Cartel Tycoon

    "Players manage threats from rivals and law enforcement to maintain and grow their empire."

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Last update: 01/06/2026