Tropico 5 review roundup

Bow down to your magnificent leader – the reviews are in for the PC version of Tropico 5, which releases today, 23 May 2014.

The retail copies of the game will only be available in SA at the beginning of June, but for the Steam-savvy gamers you can get Tropico 5 right now. The Xbox 360 and PS4 versions are due out in the coming months.

But, should you be playing the the latest instalment of the Tropico franchise? The game was sitting at 78 on Metacritic at the time of publication – read the reviews below to see what the experts thought.

GameSpot – 8/10

There is a lot to enjoy on the sandy beaches of Tropico 5. Whether you’re playing alone or with up to three others online, the game strikes a good balance between style and substance that is easy to digest for all types of strategy fans. The constant power struggle between the game’s various factions – both internal and abroad – creates an ever-changing challenge for you to manage as El Presidente, whether through force or appeasement. And while the rest of the world tears itself apart with World War-this and Cold War-that, the simple-minded Tropicans are there to kick their feet up and take it easy for all us sinners.

Eurogamer – 7/10

Tropico 5 features a number of improvements to its long-standing formula and there’s a lot here to like. The humour and in-fighting of your aides provides a lighter tone missing from other management sims, and there’s a degree of satisfaction to be found progressing through the distinct eras. It also looks more vibrant than any previous entry. It works well for now, but Tropico 5 is clearly more concerned with introducing new concepts atop the old than it is with overhauling its base mechanics. Looking ahead to the future, this long-running series would benefit from having the fires of revolution lit beneath it.

GamesRadar – 4.5/5

The diluted dynasty system is a real let-down, but its easy to forgive in light of the mastery with which Tropico 5 pulls together all of its moving pieces. Eras and intermittent world events are the perfect antidote to the jagged pacing of previous entries, and the added layers of Constitutional lawmaking and tech development make for a greater sense of socioeconomic craftsmanship. I don’t always suggest that series newcomers start with the latest entry, but when I do, I choose Tropico 5. Stay thirsty, my citizens.

GameInformer – 8.5/10

Tropico 5 is a polished sim game, the only downside being that city development begins to lose its luster because so many of the game modes feel so similar. But if you’re looking for an accessible, fun, and fresh city builder, Tropico 5 is an excellent choice.

Tropico 5

PC World – 4/5

Tropico 5 is still the best Caribbean dictator simulator on the market (whatever that means) and honestly one of the most refined city builders out there. However, the series has backed itself into a corner by choosing such a niche idea for a game – it’s increasingly clear there’s not a lot of ways for Tropico to evolve as a franchise. Tropico 5 is the most refined Tropico yet, but if you’ve played one in the past that might not be enough to draw you back in this time. And even if it is, I don’t think it’s enough to justify a Tropico 6 without some enormous changes to the formula. A revolution, as it were.

Gameranx – 7.5/10

It’s perhaps the tiredest cliche in game reviews, but the old line about “fans of the genre” likely enjoying what Tropico 5 has to offer rings pretty true. While it’s a reasonably accessible game that won’t completely chase off new players, it’s definitely a game that knows its audience, and is determined to continue iterating on its existing formula in fairly safe ways.