Tropico 4

"It builds from experience to create a simple, yet extensive simulation."


Developer: Haemimont Games
Publisher: Kalypso
Release Date: August 30, 2011
Platform(s): PC, X360
Genre: Sim, Strategy


It seems like only yesterday, Total Overdose immersed us into a cheesy Latin world. Yet here comes the new iteration of Tropico, which does the exact same, but from an entirely different vantage point. Tropico 4 seems to be stuck in time when it comes to gameplay, but honestly; how many quality building simulators are still made this day an age? Right, not so much; so there’s no real need to fix what isn’t broken. Instead, the game enhances the experiences with new elements, some polish here and there and amplified tactics throughout.

 

Take a break from fascism in Tropico by going for a detailed look of the zoo.

 

Not unimportant to portray a dictatorial paradise, Tropico 4 spruces up graphics and lets the island shine with nice details and weather effects. From a high aerial view down into a resident’s nose; the zoom ability is intense and shows off the detailed look of the game well. The interface is kept simple for a good overview, leaving most important tabs only 1 or 2 screens away, even though the Almanac can be a little messy. Each screen offers a cluster of info, whilst remaining clear. And areas of interest are separated in color codes when applicable, giving a nice touch to the building creation. Overall, El Presidente is well presented; probably due to slave labor cleaning the island day and night. Unfortunately, the verbal skills don’t match the slick look, with some haphazard voice acting, offering either corny or plain wrong accents. Envision Tony Montana, if he were to be played by Hannah Montana. The radio reports are a tad better however and the generic Latin tunes also climb a step up from the dictator’s awkward speech.

Creating a tropical superpower still starts with a few good men, worked to the bone, to create some farms and buildings. Money is still key after all, even in a communist regime. After a clear tutorial, going over most the basics, players can take up a campaign with 20 large missions. More than small specific goals, the campaign is centered more around creating bustling cities and winning the election to survive another term. To do so, one must build an empire from scratch by providing crops for the people, creating jobs, lifting the economy and keeping the people happy, whilst juggling with followers’ favors and foreign affairs. You know; everything the US of A fails at desperately.

 

Tropico 4 in all its glory, goals and all. A tropical paradise, if you don't mind the iron fist.

 

The good thing about Tropico 4 is that it builds from experience to create a simple, yet extensive simulation. It starts with putting down a building, to waiting until workers construct it with goods carried over from stocks and it unfolds from there. The more that is built, the more options branch out into even more choices. From producing food, to setting up trade, managing industry and so forth; the micro management of the game is huge and yet simple. Tropico doesn’t bog down players with a ton of bars, shifts and minute extensions, which in the end actually boost the game’s mechanics, rather than simplifying them. Factions and foreign affairs are layered on top of this, to provide its own sets of needs and goals, creating a juggling effect between the people and your political career. By issuing edicts, El Presidente can make sure to add even more differentials to his rule and ensure that peace stays on the island, lest there be a rebellion to be squashed. It’s a layer cake of tactics and it tastes just like a well-planned recipe.

Players seeking a challenge can also slush funds to their Swiss bank account to upgrade their end score, but there isn’t much incentive other than that to do so. It can be a risky bonus, but as the primordial threat is always remaining in power, money is always best used to advance the island.

 

Memorable quotes during load screens are the cherry on top of the tropical delight.

 

The 4 hour unsavable demo already gives a detailed look at what players can expect from Tropico 4. Its strength, other than the decent presentation, stems from fine game mechanics, which are still easily adjusted and maintained. With a ton of additions to create a strategic simulation, players can look forward to unleashing their iron fist on their constituents. That is, if natural disasters such as tornadoes and tsunamis don’t unleash it for them, destroying all their intricate plans.  Tropico 4 is set for release on August 30 for Xbox 360 and PC. A demo is now available through a plethora of outlets.

Gallery (18)

 

Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed. (@Daavpuke)