Tropico 4

Taking control over the fictitious banana republic Tropico is still very entertaining. The changes from Tropico 3 are not overwhelming, but for new players the learning curve is a bit steep. However Tropico 4 is an addictive title and a safe alternative to Theme - and Sim -games.

A well-made instalment of the great game trying not to innovate itself, but pleasing its hardcore fans or newcomers nonetheless – by its new campaign with more assignments, an import option and by a several new buildings addition. One is just wondering why there are still some flaws in the game and why the Tropico 4 does not bear a title of an expansion pack?

Enjoyable sequel to this series doesn't bring many improvements but despite that Tropico 4 is great and fun to play and there is no serious competition in its genre. [Oct 2011]

Tropico 4 is hardly a new game at all. It feels and looks like the third game in the series and improves on only a few levels. At the same time, Tropico 4 is one of the better tycoon games in the past years. People who've missed the third game or fans that want more can rest easy and plan a vacation to this tropical paradise.

Tropico 4 isn't quite different from Tropico 3, but it's still a great economic strategy nevertheless. [October 2011, p.74]

Tropico 4 is hardly a full-fledged sequel; it's more of an expansion – utterly derivative, but well-polished – that got its number somewhere in the marketing department.

It's certainly got the "accessibility" part down, and – despite its lack of long-term appeal – it's a uniquely humorous city builder that's worth a look on the merits of its well-honed core mechanics alone. As a sequel, though, Tropico 4's just passable. If only its developers had time control powers; then maybe they'd have eased off the fast forward button and taken the time to flesh out their game.

Quotation forthcoming.

Tropico 3 had a very clear progression of campaign missions, and while Tropico 4 does have a campaign, it seems more focused on intra-mission tasks rather than overall goals.

Tropico 4 is a fantastic game, there's no denying it, but its core audience is the one that's likely to be most disappointed with it.

A pointless rehash for series regulars, but if you've never experienced the joys of being a totalitarian dictator this is still good clean city-building fun.

It's hard not to like Tropico 4, because it's based on a solid foundation that is naturally engaging. It was and remains an enjoyable if slight take on a dry genre. Its tragedy is that it hasn't bothered to build anything worthwhile on top of that foundation, preferring instead to coast on jaunty music that makes you feel like you're playing in Nando's and broad satire that fails to sustain the game beyond the first few days of play.