[2] The map is divided into a number of regions, most consisting of a single state, which are either controlled by the police or one of the cartels.

In Story mode the player takes on the position of Mexico's Chief of Police with the main aim of tackling the country's drug problems by destroying the various cartels.

Displayed as 'Activity Reports', these events provide insight into the actual situation in Mexico as well as missions for the player to achieve for increased income.

The street price will rise as the cartels lose territory, with the drugs being harder to come by, and fall when the market is saturated.

'Arturo Herrera' the pro-war candidate who is initially stronger in the polls, provides an attack bonus on winning.

This allows players to have a more balanced game without being so concerned with the economic/political factors the Story Mode is trying to draw attention to.

They no longer have to combat corruption and so the 'Internal Affairs' ability is replaced with 'Bribe', this allows a player to effectively buy off units from enemy territory that is anywhere on the map for an inflated price.

[5] Tomas Rawlings, the lead designer, said: "The game is the biggest newsgame we've created, which has taken a lot of time effort and expense".

[6] "We've built a simulation based on our research about the reality of the War on Drugs, [the game shows] how corruption and street price ebb and flow with police actions.

"[7] The developers claim that basing the game on Risk was a deliberate attempt to draw attention to how one can not solve a social problem through militaristic means.

I can honestly say I walked away with a new understanding of the conflict and an appreciation for the dire situation facing anyone charged with combating the cartels.