Tropico 4

Tropico 4 on the Xbox 360 is about as good as a port can get. It even runs better on my Xbox 360 than on my PC. The controls may not work as well as they do on PC, but Haemimont have made sure that they work as well as possible.

Although there are some gameplay moments if gamers aren't especially careful with expenditures early in the game when some dark clouds of boredom while waiting for some moola to multiply in the national vaults can rain on a sunny day of tropical island ruling, those who enjoy SimCity or Civilization-style resource management gameplay with a heavy dose of political behind-closed-doors wheeling and dealing will enjoy an excursion to Tropico in its latest rendition.

A very good good game from Kalypso, not only very deep and satisfying in the simulation and strategy areas, but with a great atmosphere too.

If you don't have the ability to play Tropico 4 on the PC, I think the Xbox 360 version of the game is certainly suitable enough. It's still a better experience on the PC, especially when it comes to both controls and visuals, but the 360 does the job, and the controller set-up is easy enough to learn.

Tropico 4 is a well-crafted update that is subtly better in almost every respect, including more helpful guidance to total newcomers and a steady stream of in-game mini-missions to keep things interesting. That pesky save bug makes an unwelcome return though and really should have been dealt with by now, but that aside you will be lost in a tropical paradise.

Tropico 4 has a little more depth than the predecessor in just the right places. If you own a PC, you should consider getting that version instead – mouse beats controller, simple as that. Otherwise: Yes, El Presidente, You should make a bid for power.

Tropico 4 is an enjoyable and well-polished strategy experience that's accessible and highly addictive, and for that reason we have to recommend that strategy fans pick this one up. After all, it's (probably) the closest most of us will get to becoming any kind of tyrannical dictator.

It has a perfect balance of complexity and entertainment, and for how in-depth it really is, I never become too flustered (aside from never keeping enough cash flow on hand).

The controls, simply, work. These kinds of games have had varying amounts of success on the console this generation, with things like Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 coming close but just not being good enough, but in this case Tropico makes a great case for these once PC-only genres appearing on console.

Though its mix of strategy and simulation is something of a console rarity, this franchise endures, thrusting you into a new dictatorial power trip over the burgeoning populace of a Caribbean island. [Nov 2011, p.83]

Tropico 4 is a great game that suffers from a few regrettable issues on console. Assuming the sound problems get fixed (or you install it to your Xbox's hard drive), I heartily recommend it as the simulation/city-builder of choice on 360 despite the less-than-ideal gamepad interface.

Given a little time, Tropico 4 proves itself an excellent strategy title, which makes it a rare gem on the 360. It's not the perfect port of a PC game to the console, but if you can slog your way through clunky controls and a somewhat steep learning curve, it provides an incredibly deep, rewarding experience.

There's never been a better time to get into politics. [Feb 2012, p.101]

All and all, a worthy heir to the rich tradition of the Tropico series and the City Builder genre. Sometimes it seems a little bit overwhelming even for experienced players, but due to its replay value and the limitless gameplay options Tropico 4 pays back the patient ones.

Enjoyable sim that we've seen before. [Christmas 2011, p.109]

It's a sprinkling of glitter rather than an overhaul. [Feb 2012, p.109]