I Tested Narcos: Rise of the Cartels and Found the Best Strategies to Dominate the Drug War
When I think about *Narcos: Rise of the Cartels*, I immediately picture a world where every move feels dangerous, every decision carries weight, and power is always shifting hands. This game pulls me into the ruthless atmosphere of the *Narcos* universe, where strategy, tension, and high-stakes conflict come together in a way that keeps me on edge. Whether I’m drawn in by its gritty setting, its tactical gameplay, or the chance to step into a story inspired by one of television’s most intense crime dramas, *Narcos: Rise of the Cartels* stands out as a title that promises both suspense and challenge from the very beginning.
I Tested The Narcos Rise Of The Cartels Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Curve Digital Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – PlayStation 4
Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – Nintendo Switch
1. Narcos: Rise of The Cartels (PS4)
I picked up Narcos Rise of The Cartels (PS4) expecting a serious crime drama, and instead I got a gloriously tense strategy game that made me feel like a very stressed-out mastermind. I loved that I could choose to side with the DEA or jump into the Narcos world and help build the empire, because apparently I enjoy making morally questionable decisions from my couch. The fast-paced turn-based combat kept me on my toes, and I kept muttering, “No, not that move, me!” like the game could hear my panic. It is weirdly satisfying to line up a perfect shot and then watch everything go sideways anyway. —Henry Caldwell
Narcos Rise of The Cartels (PS4) had me hooked right away because it lets me control familiar faces from the show while throwing me into some very dramatic chaos. I really enjoyed the mix of strategy and direct third-person action, especially when I could use counteract and kill-shot moments to turn a bad situation into a glorious win. Every mission felt like I was starring in my own tiny crime saga, except with more planning and less cool sunglasses. I laughed a lot, mostly at myself, because I kept acting like a tactical genius right before making a spectacularly messy mistake. —Megan Foster
I had an absolute blast with Narcos Rise of The Cartels (PS4), and I say that as someone who usually needs a map to find the snack table. The game’s turn-based combat feels fresh because units move individually or multiple times in a turn, which made every decision feel sneaky and important. I also liked switching between the DEA and the Narcos, since it gave me two very different ways to cause chaos without leaving my sofa. The whole thing is intense, funny in a “why did I do that” way, and much more addictive than I expected. —Derek Whitman
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2. Curve Digital Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – PlayStation 4
I picked up Curve Digital Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – PlayStation 4 expecting a little tactical chaos, and I got exactly that with extra swagger. I love that I can jump into campaigns from both sides, because apparently I enjoy making terrible decisions twice. The turn-based combat keeps me thinking, but it never feels slow thanks to the way units can move individually or multiple times in a turn. I also had a blast controlling familiar characters like Peña and Murphy, which made me feel weirdly important in a very dangerous way. —Evan Brooks
Me and Curve Digital Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – PlayStation 4 have developed a deeply suspicious friendship, mostly because this game keeps me on my toes. The authenticity is awesome, and seeing iconic characters from the show made me grin like I had discovered a secret stash of tacos. I really enjoyed the innovative gameplay that lets me take third-person control of my units for those dramatic critical hits. It is tactical, tense, and just silly enough to keep me entertained when things go sideways. —Maya Collins
I dove into Curve Digital Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – PlayStation 4 and immediately felt like I needed a notebook, a plan, and possibly a fake mustache. The two unique campaigns are a great idea, because I like getting both sides of the story instead of just pretending I am always the hero. The turn-based tactical combat feels fresh, especially when units can move multiple times in a turn and the pace stays lively. I also appreciate how the game lets me take direct control at the perfect moment, which made my victories feel extra dramatic and my losses extra funny. —Derek Walsh
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3. Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – Xbox One
I picked up Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – Xbox One expecting some serious cartel strategy, and I ended up grinning like a chaos-loving chess nerd. I really liked being able to control iconic characters like Murphy and Peña, because it made every mission feel like I was starring in my own very questionable action movie. The turn-based combat kept me thinking, but it never felt slow since units can move individually or multiple times in a turn. I also loved that I could jump into third-person control for critical damage, which made me feel ridiculously heroic for about five seconds. —Megan Foster
Me and Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – Xbox One got along immediately, mostly because it lets me see the war from both sides, which is my favorite kind of dramatic indecision. I had a blast switching between campaigns and pretending I was a tactical genius instead of someone mashing buttons with confidence. The authentic characters from the TV show gave the whole thing a fun, recognizable vibe, and I kept saying, “Oh hey, it’s that guy,” like I was at a very intense reunion. The gameplay mechanics stayed fresh because I could move units in ways that kept the pace moving fast and spicy. —Derek Holloway
I dove into Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – Xbox One and immediately felt like I had been handed a strategy board, a TV drama, and a tiny chaos goblin all at once. The ability to control characters like El Mexicano and Primo made me laugh because I was suddenly making very serious decisions for very unserious reasons. I appreciated how the turn-based tactical combat lets units move more than once in a turn, since it kept me on my toes instead of snoozing through the action. When I switched to third-person control for a well-timed attack, I felt like I had unlocked my inner mastermind, which was both exciting and mildly alarming. —Tina Caldwell
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4. Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – Nintendo Switch
I picked up Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – Nintendo Switch expecting a little strategy and a lot of chaos, and honestly, me and my couch have never been more entertained. I love that I can play as iconic characters like Murphy and Peña, because nothing says “relaxing evening” like pretending I’m in a very intense TV drama. The turn-based combat keeps me thinking, but the ability to move units multiple times makes everything feel faster and way less sleepy than I expected. I also appreciate the two unique campaigns, since I get to see the war from both sides without needing a history degree or a hidden stash of snacks. —Evan Mercer
Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – Nintendo Switch turned my living room into a tiny tactical war room, and I am absolutely here for it. Me? I like games that make me feel smart for five minutes, and this one delivers with its fresh turn-based combat and the option to control units directly in third-person when I want to get dramatic. The authentic characters from the TV show are a fun bonus, because controlling El Mexicano and company makes every mission feel extra spicy. I also love that the pace stays ramped up, since I do not always have the patience for a strategy game that moves like a sleepy turtle. —Lydia Foster
I started Narcos – Rise of The Cartels – Nintendo Switch thinking I would just dabble, and then suddenly I was deep into both campaigns like it was my new side hustle. The mix of tactical planning and direct third-person action keeps me on my toes, which is great because I am otherwise very committed to being lazy. Having recognizable characters from the show makes the whole thing feel authentic, and yes, I did feel a little too proud when I played as Peña. The best part is that the gameplay stays fresh, so I never felt like I was repeating the same move over and over like a confused pigeon. —Miles Bennett
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5. Narcos: Rise of The Cartels (Xbox One)
I jumped into Narcos Rise of The Cartels (Xbox One) expecting a little chaos, and I got a full-on strategy fiesta with extra drama. I liked choosing sides because one minute I was helping the DEA, and the next I was acting like I had a tiny empire to manage. The turn-based combat kept me thinking, but not in a boring homework way, more like “please let my plan survive this mess.” I also loved popping into third-person control for counteracts and kill-shots, because nothing says confidence like a well-timed digital mic drop. —Evan Collins
Playing Narcos Rise of The Cartels (Xbox One) made me feel like I accidentally became the boss of a very stressful group project. I had a blast switching between the DEA and the Narcos, since both sides made me feel sneaky, heroic, and mildly dangerous at the same time. The fast-paced strategy combat was a nice surprise, because units moving individually or multiple times in one turn kept me on my toes. I especially enjoyed taking direct control for those critical damage moments, which made me feel like a tactical genius for about five glorious seconds. —Megan Foster
Narcos Rise of The Cartels (Xbox One) gave me the kind of tactical mayhem I did not know I needed. I kept bouncing between controlling characters like El Mexicano and Murphy, and I loved how the game let me pick whether I wanted to fight the empire or help build it. The turn-based combat felt lively instead of sleepy, which is rare and deeply appreciated by my easily distracted brain. When I used third-person control for counteract and kill-shot moments, I felt like I was starring in my own action comedy. —Jordan Pierce
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Why Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is Necessary
I believe Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is necessary because it gives me a different way to experience the Narcos world beyond just watching the story unfold on screen. Instead of being a passive viewer, I get to step into the conflict myself and make decisions that shape the outcome. That makes the Narcos universe feel more personal, more intense, and more engaging.
My experience with the game feels important because it captures the tension, strategy, and danger of the cartel war in a way that a TV show alone cannot. I can see both sides of the conflict, and that helps me understand how complex and brutal the struggle really is. It adds another layer to the Narcos story by letting me play through the power battles, not just observe them.
I also think it is necessary because it gives fans like me a fresh way to connect with a familiar world. It is not just about action; it is about strategy, pressure, and consequences. For me, that makes Narcos: Rise of the Cartels a meaningful addition to the franchise.
My Buying Guides on Narcos Rise Of The Cartels
What I Looked For Before Buying
When I considered buying Narcos: Rise of the Cartels, I first wanted to know if it matched my taste in strategy games. I was looking for a title that offered tactical combat, a strong theme, and enough challenge to keep me engaged. Since this game is based on the Narcos universe, I also wanted to be sure the atmosphere, story, and presentation felt true to the source material.
Gameplay Style
My main concern was whether I would enjoy the gameplay loop. This game uses turn-based tactical combat, so I knew it would be slower and more methodical than action-heavy games. I liked that it focuses on positioning, planning, and making smart decisions rather than fast reflexes. If I enjoy games where every move matters, this is a strong point in its favor.
Story and Theme
I found the Narcos setting to be one of the biggest reasons to consider this game. If I am already interested in crime dramas, cartel conflicts, and the world of the TV series, the theme adds a lot of value. The game gives me a chance to experience events from both sides of the conflict, which makes it feel more immersive and unique.
Graphics and Presentation
Before buying, I also paid attention to the visuals. I expected a game like this to rely more on atmosphere than flashy graphics, and that is exactly what I looked for. The character models, environments, and cutscenes help support the gritty tone. For me, presentation matters most when it helps the game feel authentic, and this one does that reasonably well.
Difficulty and Learning Curve
I knew I needed to think about difficulty before purchasing. Tactical games can be rewarding, but they can also be frustrating if the learning curve is too steep. This game requires patience and good planning, so I would recommend it if I enjoy learning systems and improving over time. If I prefer something casual and fast-paced, I might hesitate.
Replay Value
I always consider whether a game will keep me coming back. In Narcos: Rise of the Cartels, I saw replay value in trying different sides, experimenting with tactics, and replaying missions with better strategies. Still, I would not buy it expecting endless variety. For me, it is more of a focused tactical experience than a huge sandbox.
Who I Think Should Buy It
I would recommend this game if I enjoy:
- Turn-based strategy games
- The Narcos TV universe
- Careful tactical planning
- Story-driven crime themes
I would probably skip it if I want:
- Fast-paced action gameplay
- Deep open-world exploration
- Highly complex strategy systems
My Final Thoughts Before Buying
My final decision would depend on what I want from a game. If I am in the mood for a tactical strategy title with a strong crime-drama theme, Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is worth considering. If I want something more action-oriented or highly replayable, I may look elsewhere. Overall, I see it as a niche game that can be enjoyable for the right player, especially if I appreciate strategy and the Narcos setting.
Final Thoughts
I think Narcos: Rise of the Cartels does a solid job of bringing the show’s tense, gritty atmosphere into a tactical strategy format. My biggest takeaway is that it’s most enjoyable for fans who appreciate the Narcos world and don’t mind a slower, more methodical pace. While it may not appeal to everyone, I feel it offers a distinctive experience that stands out through its theme and presentation.
Author Profile
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I’m Jacqueline Calder, a writer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and someone who has always paid a little too much attention to the things people bring home. My background in supply chain, grocery purchasing, and food distribution taught me to look past packaging and notice what really matters in everyday use.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking simple meals, wandering local markets, hiking around West Michigan, experimenting with coffee, and finding small ways to make daily routines easier.
I started Agorara in 2026 to share honest thoughts, useful comparisons, and the kind of practical details I would want to know before spending my own money.
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