Your beloved Uncle Don C has decided to quit the family business before someone makes him quit. The only person who could possible take over is you. It's up to you to become the crime king of the city and the easiest way of doing this is by becoming mayor. Don't laugh, someone has to get elected, so it might as well be you. If any of the other contenders get in your way you can always deal with them in true Mafia fashion - you know, concrete boots or something like that.
The basics are simple. You choose whether you want to lead an Italian or Chinese crime family consisting of three characters, and you take control of one of these as he or shw walks around the town.
Now this ain't no ordinary town and lying around the streets you will find useful everyday objects like safe codes, door keys and ammo. These are used to gain access to buildings, and to the people and objects inside. The objects can then be used to the gentler art of blackmail - now that's one way to win elections! There are 20 files littered around which could reveal some juicy gossip on any of the town's leading figures. Store these and use them later on.
Avoiding the police is also a good idea, especially if you're a bit trigger happy, but a police location beacon will soon sort that problem out. When you have a bit of skill on the gun and have found some dynamite and a detonator, you could always try to rob a bank to increase your finances and your social standing.
Crime Does Not Pay players will spend hours at first wandering around trying to work out what you are supposed to do. The control method, although somewhat unusual, is quite easy to get used to and there are loads of different places to explore but they all look a bit "samey". It's not a bad game but then it's no Eye of the Beholder either.