Fans of the series will appreciate to rediscover the characters and universe of Narcos, as the game will remind them of the events and places of the first season. The graphics are good, provided that you don't get too close and don't mind about strange camera angles. The targeting can sometimes be problematic, but the strategic aspect and the third person real-time actions are quite effective. We liked being able to switch sides between Narcos and D.E.A but, unfortunately, the game is too repetitive.
Your enjoyment of Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is going to be heavily based on whether you can accept its strategy game conceit. If you're good with the idea of only being able to control one unit at a time per turn, then you might be fine so long as you're also willing to accept the inherent lack of strategy that goes along with the very limited objective set. If you want your strategy games to be a little more traditional, where every unit can do something on a turn, then you'll hate this game to the point that even the counteract mechanic can't make things interesting. In short, Narcos is a hard sell for fans of the series, let alone strategy game fans, unless you can find it for a very deep discount.
Narcos is a strategy game based on the hit Netflix show and that really comes through in the games voice acting and cut scenes. It didn't take me long to tell that. The opening cinematic really let me know what I was in for with this one. It also inspired me to check out the show, and I'm so glad I did. They are both the series and the game really quality storytelling and acting. Lot of quality actors involved in this one, as well as writers. If you like movies like Heat or Sicario you will really get into the story of this game. The story isn't the only thing addicting about this game though. I really enjoyed the game play as well.
You play as a DEA trying to take down the cartel. You start with a certain amount of money to use to purchase missions and new recruits. Some missions are free,and some cost a good bit but you are rewarded with money and skill points for completing them. There are different types of recruits to purchase. My favorite is Demolition they have grenade launchers and are so much fun to use. You can also get Agents with shotguns, police with pistols, guys with SMGs as well as ARs. You can level these guys up, and they unlock perks as you do. Things like extra moves, auto reloading, special firing modes, etc. All of these really come in handy, and you have to be smart when deciding what you do. You also have to be careful in the field , because if you die out there you lose that character and have to purchase another.
Another cool thing about the game is you also play as the Narcos in campaign as well. A whole different campaign that tells the story from their side. You get to purchase the same style of characters as cartel. This added a lot of extra game play for me, and ways to play. Seems the Cartel missions were slightly tougher to me though. Felt like the DEA AI was a lot smarter than the Cartel, but I could be wrong.
I'm not a huge strategy game fan, but this one really pulled me in and had me hooked.I really recommend it to that genre fans, also really recommend it to fans of the series, or fans of cop show style games. It looks really good from the game play to the cut scenes and cinematics. I was surprised by the graphics in this one. It seemed really well developed overall. I even enjoyed the music. It really fit into the total package well highlighting the entire story and game. Same can go for the sounds and voice acting. Narcos is just a really well developed title that really caught me off guard.
Pros: GREAT voice acting
Excellent storytelling and characters
Music really adds to the overall experience
Addictive strategy game play
Tons of replay
Cons: Ai can seem kind of simple at times
Overall: 7.2 Narcos Rise of the Cartels is a strategy fan's delightful experience. Loaded with tons of great voice acting, storytelling , and even a lot of replay value.. If you loved the show or content like it your going to be drawn in by this story as well.
If you are a fan of the Netflix's series, the game should suit you for a few hours before all of its flaws eventually spoil the party. Narcos : Rise of the Cartels lacks depth and is not a very interesting tactical game.
The game presents some interesting innovation in the genre, a level design that should match, but is weighed down by a movement system that only allows one unit to be controlled for each turn.
Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is not a broken game, nor is it ugly or offensive. But it is joyless. It feels cold, like a corporate cash grab, and suffers from a fundamental misunderstanding of its target audience. There are interesting elements and attractive qualities, but the game overall fails to deliver much of anything to anyone in particular.
Bland, boring, and uninspired, Narcos: Rise of the Cartels isn't quite the tie-in product that fans of Netflix's series would want to see. It's bogged down by flawed fundamentals, a repetitive campaign, and unengaging gameplay.
Крайне слабо. Казалось бы благодатный антураж (латинская Америка, наркокартели). Можно было сделать что-нибудь похожее на Jagged Alliance.
Но увы.
1. Глупейший ИИ.
2. Невозможно сменить оружие после миссии (к примеру взять вместо дробовика, автомат).
3. Разрушаемости нет.
4. Имбовое лечение (просто нажал отдыхать и лечишься).
Ужас. Не берите это. Лучше перепройдите JA2. Или XCOM Long War.
If you take away the fun aspects of XCOM: strategic unit placement, choosing between defensive and offensive tactics, deciding squad loadout and customization of appearances, you get Narcos: RotC. It's a boring tit-for-tat combat system that is neither enjoyable nor rewarding. You cannot even rename your random recruits.
SummaryWelcome to Colombia, 1980's -- the fires of El Patron's empire have been lit, its influence spanning borders, and expansion unabated. Influence and corruption is rife; cops, guards, politicians and those in between are falling into the pocket of the Medellín Cartel, and after years of production, America is finally taking notice.
Narcos...