Narcos: Rise of the Cartels Review Summary

Name: Narcos: Rise of the Cartels community summary
Author: VaporLens

Last updated: 2026-09-23

Card Review summary

Manual shooting and counterattack system
Enjoyable overall gameplay loop
One unit per turn cripples squads
Positive visual presentation praised
Poor enemy AI behavior
Wait for a sale

Emotions

Archetypes

Sample precision
Helpful reviews: 93%
Unhelpful reviews: 7%
Protest reviews: 0%

32%
Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
68%
Helpful reviews with negative sentiment

Positive points: 203
Negative points: 470
Gameplay points: 426
Perf. points: 12
Rec. points: 94
Misc points: 162

Point	Description	Importance
Manual shooting and counterattack system Description The real-time first-person shooting during enemy turns (counterattack, overwatch) is widely appreciated for adding active engagement and reducing reliance on random chance. Many call it innovative and satisfying. Importance 50%	The real-time first-person shooting during enemy turns (counterattack, overwatch) is widely appreciated for adding active engagement and reducing reliance on random chance. Many call it innovative and satisfying.	50%
Enjoyable overall gameplay loop Description Many players find the game fun and entertaining, especially for fans of turn-based tactics. It offers a rewarding micro-XCOM experience with strategic depth. Importance 48%	Many players find the game fun and entertaining, especially for fans of turn-based tactics. It offers a rewarding micro-XCOM experience with strategic depth.	48%
Positive visual presentation praised Description Multiple clusters highlight the game's graphics positively, describing them as beautiful, good, or acceptable for the genre. Some note detailed characters, blood effects, and cutscenes that align with the TV series. Importance 41%	Multiple clusters highlight the game's graphics positively, describing them as beautiful, good, or acceptable for the genre. Some note detailed characters, blood effects, and cutscenes that align with the TV series.	41%
Good music and sound design Description The soundtrack, largely taken from the Narcos show, is frequently praised as excellent and fitting. Voice acting and sound effects are also noted as decent or good. Importance 40%	The soundtrack, largely taken from the Narcos show, is frequently praised as excellent and fitting. Voice acting and sound effects are also noted as decent or good.	40%
Character classes and skill system Description The variety of classes, skills, and perks allows for diverse playstyles and synergies. Leveling up and unlocking new abilities is a satisfying progression system. Importance 38%	The variety of classes, skills, and perks allows for diverse playstyles and synergies. Leveling up and unlocking new abilities is a satisfying progression system.	38%
Play as DEA and Cartel Description A major appreciated feature is the ability to play through two distinct campaigns—DEA and Narcos—which adds replayability and variety. This dual-perspective design is frequently mentioned as a strong point. Importance 36%	A major appreciated feature is the ability to play through two distinct campaigns—DEA and Narcos—which adds replayability and variety. This dual-perspective design is frequently mentioned as a strong point.	36%
Varied missions and maps Description Missions are diverse, with side quests offering different objectives and adjustable difficulty. Maps are well-designed and fit the story, featuring locations like casinos, jungles, and Colombian neighborhoods. Importance 34%	Missions are diverse, with side quests offering different objectives and adjustable difficulty. Maps are well-designed and fit the story, featuring locations like casinos, jungles, and Colombian neighborhoods.	34%
One unit per turn mechanic Description The one-unit-per-turn system is repeatedly noted as a challenging and strategic twist on turn-based combat, distinct from XCOM-like games. Many find it adds depth and requires careful planning. Importance 31%	The one-unit-per-turn system is repeatedly noted as a challenging and strategic twist on turn-based combat, distinct from XCOM-like games. Many find it adds depth and requires careful planning.	31%
Story and cutscenes praised Description The story is often described as engaging, with good cutscenes that follow the first season of the show. Live-action inserts and voiceovers from the series enhance the narrative experience. Importance 31%	The story is often described as engaging, with good cutscenes that follow the first season of the show. Live-action inserts and voiceovers from the series enhance the narrative experience.	31%
Turn-based tactics inspired by XCOM Description The game is often compared to XCOM and Jagged Alliance, with a turn-based tactical core that appeals to fans of the genre. Its unique twists, like one-unit-per-turn, distinguish it. Importance 26%	The game is often compared to XCOM and Jagged Alliance, with a turn-based tactical core that appeals to fans of the genre. Its unique twists, like one-unit-per-turn, distinguish it.	26%
Narcos show atmosphere and fidelity Description Players frequently praise the game's faithful recreation of the Narcos TV series atmosphere, including recognizable locations, characters, and music. The setting and thematic consistency are highlighted as strong points. Importance 26%	Players frequently praise the game's faithful recreation of the Narcos TV series atmosphere, including recognizable locations, characters, and music. The setting and thematic consistency are highlighted as strong points.	26%
Unique turn-based strategy concept Description The idea of a turn-based strategy set in the cartel world is considered original and novel. Some appreciate that it tries something different from typical XCOM clones. Importance 21%	The idea of a turn-based strategy set in the cartel world is considered original and novel. Some appreciate that it tries something different from typical XCOM clones.	21%
Positive for Narcos fans Description The game is especially recommended for fans of the Narcos TV series, as it captures the show's essence and features recognizable characters. It is seen as a faithful adaptation. Importance 17%	The game is especially recommended for fans of the Narcos TV series, as it captures the show's essence and features recognizable characters. It is seen as a faithful adaptation.	17%
Detailed graphical elements Description Specific graphical details like firearm engravings, wounded animations, and character icons are praised for their fidelity. These add to the immersion. Importance 13%	Specific graphical details like firearm engravings, wounded animations, and character icons are praised for their fidelity. These add to the immersion.	13%
Permanent death adds tension Description Characters can die permanently, which raises the stakes and encourages careful tactical decisions. Some players feel attached to their squad and mourn losses. Importance 11%	Characters can die permanently, which raises the stakes and encourages careful tactical decisions. Some players feel attached to their squad and mourn losses.	11%
Good value on sale Description Several reviewers suggest the game is worth buying at a discount, especially for fans of the series. It is seen as a decent catch on promo. Importance 10%	Several reviewers suggest the game is worth buying at a discount, especially for fans of the series. It is seen as a decent catch on promo.	10%
Some technical and quality issues Description A few players mention minor glitches, stiff animations, or passable art. However, these are generally not game-breaking and the game remains enjoyable. Importance 10%	A few players mention minor glitches, stiff animations, or passable art. However, these are generally not game-breaking and the game remains enjoyable.	10%
Low system requirements Description The game runs on almost any PC, making it accessible to a wide audience. It is also noted as a good indie game. Importance 7%	The game runs on almost any PC, making it accessible to a wide audience. It is also noted as a good indie game.	7%
Korean localization appreciated Description The availability of Korean localization is mentioned as a positive for Korean-speaking players. Importance 4%	The availability of Korean localization is mentioned as a positive for Korean-speaking players.	4%

Narcos: Rise of the Cartels Review Summary

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