Having been in development for some time, Empire of Sin was met with enthusiasm by some. Despite an action-packed trailer, hype and reviews for the game have been somewhat split.
There's a good reason for the split in player response to Empire of Sin. It's a strategy game with tactical combat set in 1920s Chicago, with the player commanding a criminal outfit during Prohibition. For history buffs and fans of classic gangster media, this is a huge blessing, especially if they also like XCOM shootouts and Paradox produced strategy games. Not everyone likes the game, however, and many of the complaints are justified. One common question for many players is pretty surprising: how to use a taxi.
What Are Taxis For?
This may seem like a strange question, but in Empire of Sin, some players may not even think taxis are necessary. The game operates across several neighborhoods, with players managing rackets, changing alcohol production, and extending control. However, unlike many other strategy games, the game is not fully playable from a series of menus and a map. Players will have boots on the ground in the form of their main gangster and their lieutenants. Taxis are used to get leaders from one neighborhood to another.
The Problem
Taxi icons show up very clearly on the overworld map, but they don't work like players would expect. Clicking on a taxi icon for the neighborhood a character is in just moves them to that location, without calling them a taxi afterward. This has led some players to try and complete the entire game from a single neighborhood, which makes the game much longer than it would normally take to beat. It's a serious handicap, and one that players don't have to go through.
The Solution
Taxis in Empire of Sin work somewhat counterintuitively. They are a fast travel system labeled as taxis, but they operate opposite of the way a player would think a taxi works. Instead of clicking the taxi icon of the neighborhood a player is currently in, they must click the icon in the neighborhood they want to reach. This will immediately place them at that location, ready to make money and spread crime in a new area.
It's a strange design problem, but a design problem nonetheless. Most players associate taxis with getting picked up and then going to a destination, not transporting to one instantly. Still, it is not the be-all and end-all of Empire of Sin, and some have given the game a positive review. Ultimately, this need not hinder players, and with the ability to explore new neighborhoods, hopefully they will find a game they like.
Empire of Sin is available for PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.
Source: Caffeinated Gamer
