User Reviews (1 - 11 of 103)

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Preview

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 52 / 54
Date: April 13, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Tropico. Some have heralded it as the best strategy game of the year, and some have even said ever. Better than Civilization some say. If you like The Sims or SimCity you will like Tropico. Why? You're an island dictator of a small Latin American island. You custom make your dictator, you pick traits (leftist author, biblical scholar, miner, there's over 30 of them), flaws (kleptomania, alcoholic, womanizer, over 30 of these too), rise to power (booze baron, communist rebellion, socialist election, coup, etc)and then start. You start off with a nice tropical island, about 30 populants, your palace, a couple of civic buildings, and a dock. Each citizen has their own political opinions, wants, needs, names, jobs, and desires. There can be up to 700 of them. There are six island political parties:

Communists- made up of the poor and the laborers, they want equal wage, collective housing, and to be well fed.

Capitalists- made up of bankers, buisinessmen, etc. They want security, upscale housing, low taxes, trade revenues, and tourism.

Intellectuals- made up of Professors, journalists, etc. They want libraries, schools, etc.

Envrionmentalists- they want to keep the environment sound

Religious- they want churches and church edicts

Military- want high pay and strong military

Along with that there are over 90 buildings, such as: rum distillieries, apartments, churches, spas, cabarets, resorts, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, barracks, mess halls, etc. Each political party has a charismatic leader, and bad things can happen if they don't like you. On the bad side of the military? Watch out for a coup. On the bad side of the communists? Watch out for a revolt. On the bad side of the capitalists? Watch out for a slacking economy, etc. If you don't like a certain individual, you can always brand them a heretic, arrest them, deport them, bribe them, or assassinate them. It's all up to you.The graphics are nice and there's a strong economic system. Looks to be a great game, best of the year.

An inspired sim made with the Railroad Tycoon 2 engine.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 33 / 37
Date: August 14, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Imagine that you're the leader of a small South American country. Now you have to attract tourist, keep your citizens happy, set up industry, and help save the rain forest. That is the basis of Tropico. I liked Tropico because of its deepness and graphics. The game is much like an onion. It keeps adding layers to the basic core. For an example, each citizen has more than 50 characteristics, not to mention, a job and political convictions. Every person is different. The graphics are also top notch. The outstanding Railroad Tycoon 2 engine has been totaly redone. You see such details as clouds in the sky and people moving around. I recomend this game to any sim fan. I don't know if it will appeal to sports fans or not. Well, any way this game is a must get.

Excellent...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 17
Date: June 08, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Tropico was a fun and enjoyable expirience for me. Basically this game is about a president(you) governing a small island nation.

Graphics- The graphics in this game are a bit 3 years ago, but still are great. There is some slowdown but not enough to ruin the expirience. Rating:8.8

Gameplay-Wonderful, its not like other sim managment games, heck, there are even politics and elections. Your goal is to last as presedent for a certain amount of years. Basically meaning don't loose an election, and well... don't get killed. Rating:10

Sound- The advisor can get annoying after a while, but the other sound is great. You hear boats docking at the dock, the power plant, and there's some relaxing carribean music in the backround.Rating:10

Overall- I enjoyed this game very much. It gave me a great fun and relaxing expirience. All I can say is, you will like it Overall:9.5

Worth Every Penny!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: May 02, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I am a HUGE fan of The Sims, The Simcity Series, and of Caesar III, so it came as no suprise to me or my husband when I quickly became addicted to Tropico!

Tropico combines the city building of both Simcity 3000 and Caesar III, with unique and individual charachters on The Sims. Take in mind that you cannot actually control your "tropicans" as they have free will, but unlike both Simcity 3000 and Caesar III, your people have names, families, and likes and dislikes. They cannot and willnot be forced into anything, and must be pursuaded by either money, bribery, propaganda, or even assasination attempts!

As the El Presidente of Tropico, you can actually choose how you came to power of Tropico (Elected, Religious Radical, Dictator,etc), and can even choose your strengths and weaknesses. (Compulsive gambler, liar, flatulence, ugly, Kleptomanica etc..)

The gameplay is like most other city building games, but with better graphics and an enchanting soundtrack. (As with Railroad Tycoon 2, you'll walk away humming the songs...if not singing the spanish words!)

Tropico is a MUST have for any city building fan who has enjoyed other city building games, but longed for detailed graphics and more plot twists!!

Take a chance on Tropico....I promise that you won't be sorry!!! (I know I'm not!)

I'm now ready for my own island

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: December 29, 2001
Author: Amazon User

A friend introduced me to Tropico about 5 months ago and I really haven't been able to stop playing or thinking about game strategy since. As sad as this may sound, this game has become such a part of my thinking that aspects of the game regularly find their way into my daily conversation. In fact after a visit to the Big Island on Hawaii, which although isn't a Carribean nation run by a dictator, has much of the same feel -- I found myself analyzing the tourist trade there to see if I was missing anything.

There are quite a few quirks in the game and as some people said a lot of clicking. You do really have to study the nuances of how the game works. It's not too hard to pinpoint people and have them killed or bribed like someone else said, all you need to do is to pause the game. I have noticed at times that Tropico decides to boot me out of the game and I believe this is a video card issue (nVidia TNT2) or maybe something to do with Window's '98. I've tried the game on the same machine and Window's XP and haven't had any problems.

Aside from some strange quirks I have to say Tropico has been one of a most enjoyable games I have ever played period. The music is extremely catchy and really sets the mood. The subject matter is excellent, especially after playing one of several different real life dictators in the game.

On a special note, the expansion pack to this game is supposedly coming out in January 2002 and I absolutely cannot wait.

Needless to say, I need to get out more.

Your country awaits, El Presidente...!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: May 06, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Wow...!

I rarely have time to play games so when I do, I'm very picky about what games I choose and I tend to shy away from games that I know will draw me in. Well, Tropico is the temptation I couldn't resist. And let me tell you: this has got to be one of the coolest games I've ever played!

You play El Presidente of a Caribbean island -- you pick your good and bad character traits and even how you came to power. Ever wanted to lead a military coup? No problem.

As El Presidente you have complete control of your island. Well, almost. About the only thing you can't control directly are your citizens, who have minds of their own. But...you can influence them. And, if they become a threat, you can just have them imprisoned or executed. Don't like the Intellectuals challenging you? No problem, El Presidente; you can just have a book-burning party and virtually wipe out the Intellectual faction. Tired of elections? No problem, refuse to have them. Or, better yet, accept one and then rig the election. Or, just knock off your opponent or declare martial law. After all, El Presidente, you are in charge, yes?

The first time I played the game, I started with the tutorial and decided I'd be a capitalist, pro-American, peace-loving benevolent leader -- and I lasted about 37 years. My people loved me!

The next time I played, I tried the same approach but wasn't so popular. So, I refused to hold elections. My people hated me. I had a coup attempt by a faction of my military within the first 5-10 years: I only had two soldiers, so it was funny watching the traitor and the loyalist running around the streets shooting at each other. Luckily for me, the traitor was killed. Unfortunately, he was one of my few educated citizens and I really needed him.

I could go on forever about the things you can do in this game -- er, simulation -- but when I say you can do anything, I pretty much mean it. If you've ever thought you can run a country (or would like to try it), here's your chance. Ever want to be a ruthless dictator? Ah -- here's your chance. You'll be forced to deal with various factions (Capitalists, Communists, Intellectuals, Environmentalists, Religious, etc) and learn to appease them (or eliminate them) in order to remain in power. Educated workers are important, but aren't as easy to control either. After all, educated people are harder to fool -- and they won't be content to work menial jobs. Tourism is a cash cow, but tourists are picky and sometimes up the crime rate. Getting an idea of just how involved this game is?

One of the coolest features of the game is that you can zoom right down to individual citizens and watch them go about their lives -- much like the Sims. You can bring up everything there is to know about them -- family, allegiances, concerns, job, age, education, etc, etc. These are your constituents (if you allow them to vote). At the least, they are your source of income. Actually, they are also threats to your power, because if you make them mad they may just arm themselves, and attempt to overthrow your government (better increase your military and police presence, eh?).

So that's that. Stop reading this review and go buy the game already. The replayability is very high because you have a choice of pre-defined scenarios or endless random maps with different goals, character traits, etc. It's a definite great value for your money. The only downside is that once your reign comes to an end, you'll realize that several hours have passed by while you were glued to your computer and you won't be able to rely on servants to bring you your dinner.

I think I have sand in my hair

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: May 06, 2001
Author: Amazon User

First thing people think, not another Sim City like game, but this time their thoughts are wrong. Yes, you do build a city, but if you mess up, you can be removed from office in many different ways. I was removed by my army this morning.... The political system is unlike another other I have seen in a computer game. The idea of rebels and the people have real personality. Almost a hybid of the Sims and Sim City. So, for everyone who enjoys a good game, this one is for you.

Personally, I loved it.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: July 24, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I'm glad I bought this game. The graphics are awesome. You can zoom in very far. Every Tropico citzen is different, making them seem more real. My dad is Colombian, so he found the game very amusing. Growing up in the States around his music, the soundtrack for this game was great. Well, even if you aren't familar with Spanish music, the soundtrack was VERY welldone. Balancing your dictatorship out takes strategy. I like that you can make tv stations, radio stations, newspapers, and control what they watch, read, and listen to. You have to balance between favoring the United States or Russia. You have to make sure your people have food and the industry is going well. Graphics and music and strategies will only entertain you so far, though, if you get bored easily. There's not much variety in building. It's not like Sim City or The Sims in that you can build masterpieces of cities or houses. The more cities you build, every thing just seems to be repeating itself. But if you buy the game, you have to remember that it isn't about building so much, it's more about dictatorship. "You rule." 5 stars for graphics, music, strategy. And maybe I should give it 4 stars for lack of building variety, but I didn't buy the game for that. It met my expectations. Personally, I loved it.

I just like being called "El Presidente".

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: July 28, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is a great game that is sure to be a way too addicting use of your time. The game play isn't very technical, so if you love games like Alpha Centauri, keep in mind that this game lacks some of that kind of depth. Nonetheless, I found Tropico to be incredibly fun. But while it's an easy game to get started on, it's more difficult to get high scores, so don't think that Tropico isn't challenging.

As "El Presidente" you build the island's economy, develop diplomatic relations with Russia and China, and all the while attempt to keep your people and the factions they form happy. You can build up your own personal Swiss Bank account by either padding the cost of your development, or by using bankers to siphen money from the treasury. You must decide whether to allow your people liberty, or force your will upon them with a large military presence. Another bonus - the latin music in the background is awesome; it definately sets the mood. All in all, I think this is a great game that I would highly recommend checking out.

Tropica

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: April 26, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Just got the game. I played several hours, pretty addictive. Sort of a combination of Black & White (without the silly monster) and Settlers (without the moving army). If you like non fighting simulation games, this is for you.

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