Tropico 3

 PC
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
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  1. PC Zone UK
    74
    A really involving little sim. [Christmas 2009, p.78]
  2. Game Over Online
    72
    Overall, Tropico 3 is a fine city management game, provided that you don't mind that it's essentially just Tropico with a modern game engine.
  3. PC PowerPlay
    70
    Surprisingly deep city-building sim with lots of neat quirks. [Christmas 2009, p.62]
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  5. Metro GameCentral
    70
    One of the few successful attempts to mix politics and gaming is far more entertaining than you'd think.
  6. Edge Magazine
    70
    Tropico is as vibrant and capricious as the setting, and never dry or formulaic in the way that other management games can tend to be. [Christmas 2009, p.106]
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  7. PC Gamer UK
    70
    As much fun as a day at the beach, but Tropico 3 misses a big boat by not showing you the results of your presidential labours. [Dec 2009, p.108]
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  8. Armchair Empire
    65
    The tongue-in-cheek tone of the game almost seems to mock you as much as it mocks the real life despots of the Cold War. If you can shrug that off, you'll find a decent little sim.
  9. games(TM)
    60
    The tongue-in-cheek Cold War-era humour is preferable to Cities XL's hard-faced exterior, but Haemimont's skill in masking the behind-the-scenes mechanisms pales in comparison to Mote Cristo's effort. [Dec 2009, p.118]
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Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best PC Game of 2009
47
#47 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
90
#90 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 208 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 161 out of 208
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 208
  3. Negative: 11 out of 208
  1. KlausF
    Oct 29, 2009
    6
    Tropico 3 must really be reviewed from two perspectives. For those who haven't played the original, Tropico is among the most creative Tropico 3 must really be reviewed from two perspectives. For those who haven't played the original, Tropico is among the most creative and entertaining "city sims" ever created, and Tropico 3 does a great job of updating the experience for 2009. However, those who have played the original will find virtually nothing new here beyond a few online features and a better looking (though far clunkier) interface. Tropico 3 adds basically nothing in terms of buildings, edicts, character traits, and the game's basic mechanics. In fact, compared to the expanded Tropico Mucho Macho Edition, Tropico 3 is a drastically scaled back version of the game that offers little challenge or novelty to hold the interest of experienced Tropicans. Honestly, if you still own a copy of the original, you're probably better off playing that. The changes made here are uniformly superficial with the exception of the event editor. While the game looks good, the free-floating camera doesn't work well for this kind of game, though you do have the option of viewing the game in a "classic" fixed perspective. The musical soundtrack is very nice (though short), and the voice acting is fairly poor compared to the original game. Character creation is very similar to the original, though you now have the option of creating a 3d avatar. However, the choices are fairly limited, particularly since many of the available outfits just don't really fit in with the flavor of the game. All in all, Tropico 3 is a very good game for the unitiated. For those of you who haven't played the original, this definitely deserves an 8 or 9. However, those who have played the original will likely feel like they've basically just purchased the same game they bought eight years ago. For these experienced Tropicans, this lazy update warrants a 3 or 4.… Full Review »
  2. Peradon
    Feb 11, 2011
    10
    This game is the best city builder ever! The economics are challenging but manageable, the graphics are far better than I expected and its allThis game is the best city builder ever! The economics are challenging but manageable, the graphics are far better than I expected and its all sent off with a nice dose of latin music. Ok, so you cant be that much of an evil dictator but you can still assassinate people, ban things and do almost anything you want.. The gameplay is fun, and my only real complaint is that you cant completely build your own map. However, its still amazing. Viva El Presidente!… Full Review »
  3. RangerGxi
    May 21, 2012
    7
    *I have not played previous Tropico titles and lack the expansions for this game.

    This game is an excellent city builder game. You're given    *I have not played previous Tropico titles and lack the expansions for this game.


    This game is an excellent city builder game. You're given choices on how you develop your Island nation. You can go North Korea/Communist Cuba style or go South Korea/Jamaica style. For those who love history and older things, there are piles of culture references (Monty Python) and history references (US fruit company) that will provide you with a couple laughs and smirks. Your El Presidente can be made to your expectations through traits and aesthetic changes, from a CIA installed dictator with Tourettes syndrome to a Democratically elected Socialist who is a Pirate. As a newcomer to the Tropico Franchise I found the game very simple and easy to get into. The campaign Scenario's for the most part act as the tutorial and playing through them really doesn't feel like a tutorial, which is a tutorial done right in my opinion.    … Full Review »
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