Fun for a while
The principle is that you are a wannabe crime lord operating in 1920's Chicago. The objective is that you build up enough power to either wipe out your opposition or be voted in as Mayor. Wiping out the opposition is the more complete way to win the game, however I personally found the elections quite fun, especially if you are running against one of the other crime lords.
You go about your nefarious day-to-day activities by controlling various groups of hoods (hired goons), and instructing them through Lieutenants to perform several activities, included getting more goons, collecting protection money from businesses within your area of influence, intimidating new businesses into paying protection, or engaging in acts of wanton violence against those who disagree with you. The latter option is more spectacular though realistically just means you will be weakened due to an expensive and unnecessary fight with a rival. I found that the only way to really succeed was to co-exist peacefully with your rivals until you become so much more powerful than them that you can wipe them off the map in one fell swoop. But different players will find different styles best suited to themselves.
This is quite an old game, and so you cannot expect that much from the graphics. They are simple yet pleasant, with the affects of arson and bombings being particularly entertaining. The buildings, characters and cars all have a look fitting with the period that the game is set in.
The sound is decidedly average, though in this sort of game it is not really an important factor. The only real plus point of it is that it notifies you of a significant event happening that you might not ordinarily notice due to being engaged in a different event at the time.
The game has a poor interface. It is good in that it tries to give you access to as much data as possible and gives you a lot of control over activities, but on the whole the interface is jumbled, confusing, and intimidating at first. The tutorials only teach you the basics and mostly you have to learn through experience. Saying that, the instruction manual is really thick. Sadly it has a lot of nice pictures but not enough information in it though. Once you get the hang of it the interface becomes manageable, though at first it is too much.
The first few times that you play the game it is pretty tough. The problem is that when you work out how to win, it becomes too easy as it is possible to win every time. This is why the game is best when you play it for a little while and then leave it a few months before you play again. This way it remains a challenge.
I have had no stability issues with the game to date, and the loading times are not lengthy.
Overall, this is a pleasing little game. It will not be the best game that you ever buy, but for a few days entertainment every now and then it is worthwhile. It is definitely the best strategy game that I have played, though that is not a great compliment, considering my view on the particular genre.
If you don't expect too much from Gangsters then you won't be disappointed, - there are far worse games available. Also, as it is quite old now you should be able to pick it up very cheap, and it is well worth the £5 that you spend on it.