Cartel Tycoon is a survival business simulation and real-time strategy game designed for Windows, immersing players in the world of the 1980s and 1990s narco trade. The game allows players to construct a drug empire from the ground up, managing logistics, evading law enforcement, and competing against rival cartels in a narrative-rich setting. The gameplay is centered around creating a production chain that includes plantations, laboratories, and transport routes for illegal goods such as opium and cocaine.

In addition to production, players must navigate complex financial mechanics, including the laundering of 'dirty' money through various legitimate front businesses. The game also introduces a balance of authority and terror, where expanding the cartel may attract the attention of law enforcement agencies. Players can hire unique lieutenants to oversee operations, and when a player character meets their end, the game offers a roguelike experience as lieutenants take the reins. With a story mode, permadeath survival mode, and customizable sandbox mode, Cartel Tycoon offers varied gameplay experiences.