Giving players the option to play a distinct campaign as either the DEA or the Cartel - with a story based on the events depicted in the Netflix drama series Narcos. These being the seasons with Pablo Escobar. Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is out this year and blends XCOM-style turn-based strategy with real-time combat.

In that you can take direct control over characters when making the shot. With you being able to play as either the DEA or the Cartel, developer Kuju and publisher Curve Digital have released a pair of trailers - each highlighting a different perspective. And the same theme song as heard in the TV series.

The DEA.



The Cartel.

BASED ON THE HIT NETFLIX TV SERIES

Authenticity is at the core of the Narcos experience and highly recognisable and iconic characters from the TV show are available to control and play, such as El Mexicano, Murphy, Peña, Primo and more. Every 'leader' character offers unique gameplay abilities and perks to help turn the tide of battle.

FAST-PACED STRATEGY COMBAT

Narcos: Rise of the Cartels takes turn-based strategy combat to a whole new level with units possessing the ability to move individually one after another or multiple times within one turn, meaning the pace always being ramped up. Plan your moves wisely but be cautious as there are always consequences to your actions.

EVERY WAR HAS TWO SIDES

Featuring two unique campaigns, Narcos: Rise of the Cartels allows you to see the war from both sides. Choose to side with the DEA and fight alongside Steve Murphy to bring down the drug empire, or choose to side with the Narcos in order to help found, grow and expand the empire under the watchful eye of El Patrón.

COUNTERACT AND KILL-SHOT

Innovative gameplay mechanics keep the turn-based genre fresh by allowing you to take third-person control of your units in order to engage enemies directly, giving you the opportunity to deal critical damage at optimum moments.

Does it look amazing? Not really, as visually it's rather rudimentary stuff with characters models that need that zoomed out isometric perspective. But, tactical games are a hard sell in trailer form. The mechanics sound interesting, especially with the blend of real-time control. And the premise is solid - Narcos is a great setting for this style of tactical combat. It's due for release sometime later this year on PC and consoles.