Tropico 4

Tropico 4
Developer(s)	Haemimont Games Feral Interactive (Mac OS X)
Publisher(s)	Kalypso Media FX Interactive (Italy and Spain) Feral Interactive (Mac OS X)
Series	Tropico
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, OS X
Release	Microsoft Windows EU: 2011-08-26 NA: 2011-08-30 Xbox 360 EU: 2011-10-21 NA: 2011-10-18 OS X INT: 2013-7-25
Genre(s)	Construction and management simulation Political simulation game
Mode(s)	Single-player

Tropico 4 is a video game developed by Haemimont Games and published by Kalypso Media. It is a construction and management simulation video game, which focuses around a city building simulation. Like the first and third game in the series, the game centers on a customizable main character by the title of "El Presidente" - the dictator that runs the island banana republic.

The Mac OS X version of the game (Tropico 4: Gold Edition, containing the Modern Times expansion pack) was released by Feral Interactive on July 25, 2013, as well as DLC packs Dash for Growth and Captain of Industry.

Gameplay

Islands

The game has 10 preconfigured maps, but the player can make their own island by choosing "Random Island". Upon choosing random island, a player may customize the size of the island, vegetation, mineral deposits, and elevation, as well as other game parameters.

There are various expansion packs which will also give access to more islands.

Character creator

After choosing the island, the player may choose an avatar, or they can make their own avatar. In customize characters, players may choose: gender, costumes, skin tone, hat, hairstyle, accessories, mustache, beard, earrings, traits, quality, and rise of power. After completing one mission, the character's current traits will level up.

Main view

The following elements are visible in the main view: minimap, population, happiness, current date, speed controls, menu button, HUD buttons, overlays, edicts, Select Avatar, almanac, task. Tropico 4 uses a standard point-and-click interface.

Campaign

The game's campaign consists of 20 missions spread over 10 different maps. They start out with the player character, "El Presidente," having seized control of the island of Tropico. Imports can be monitored as well as exports (whereas the previous games in the series only allowed for coverage on exports). Tropico 4 includes more superpowers. A council of ministers exists with which the player can consult on a range of different issues. The player will have to deal with natural disasters and the demands of different political factions each with their own ideological outlook. An Xbox 360 and Steam (a PC gaming distribution platform) version will be made which includes another island for sandbox mode and another pair of clothes for the custom El Presidente. It is set to come out for purchase 1 day after the release date. In the new game, there will be 20 new buildings including a shopping mall.

The game has a variety of humor elements including running satirical commentary by fictional radio station Tropico News Today, and subtle touches such as liaisons between priests and cabaret girls. The "loading" and "saving" screens have quotes from various dictators, leaders, politicians, and revolutionaries such as Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Augusto Pinochet, Nikita Khrushchev, Leon Trotsky, Mobutu Sese Seko, Todor Zhivkov, Vladimir Putin, Josip Broz Tito, Muammar Gaddafi,Ferdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It, like its predecessors, features a Latin soundtrack, this time drawn mainly from the albums Elementos and Oñejo by Alex Torres and His Orchestra.

Plot

File:Tropico Flag.svg

The flag of the fictitious country Tropico

The game follows the protagonist, El Presidente, as he works towards restoring the power that he lost in the Caribbean after averting a nuclear war perpetrated by the US vice president in order to rise to power. It is divided into three acts:

Rise To Power

El Presidente arrives at his new island where he begins his goal to build an ideal nation for his people. To do so, he focuses his administration on several islands, developing the economic potential of each one, until he is ousted from power after being framed for the murder of the current US president. He is then forced to flee his country and heads off to other parts of Tropico.

The Revenge

Forced to take a new identity and flee his republic, El Presidente begins his revenge by establishing a base of power at Isla Oscura. There El Presidente learns that he was victim of a conspiracy involving Keith Preston, the CEO of Fruitas Inc. (a parody of the United Fruit Company), the rebel leader Marco Moreno (a parody of Che Guevara), UN Inspector Brunhilde Van Hoof (a parody of Margaret Thatcher) and his former mentor Generalissimo Santana. After enacting his revenge on the conspirators and clearing his name, El Presidente regains his position as rightful ruler of Tropico.

The Comeback

Reinstated into power, El Presidente focuses on rebuilding his nation, until his former enemies reappear and sell him information about the true mastermind behind his downfall, the US Vice President Nick Richards (a parody of Richard Nixon), who had the US president killed to assume his place. Around this time, perestroika hits the USSR and Tropico offers their assistance to the nation in exchange for evidence incriminating Nick Richards that leads to his demise. El Presidente then puts the final touches to make Tropico a powerful and prosperous nation.

Factions

As El Presidente, the player can see in every citizen needs, happiness, skills, thoughts and political ideology. The demands of Tropicans include food, health, leisure, and faith. These must be fulfilled by building specific buildings: If the citizens demand leisure the player must try to build a pub, restaurant, movie theater, or some other form of entertainment.

There are a variety of factions in Tropico, each influencing the player's strategy. Tropicans join factions in different ways: some will radically support one faction, some less radical but remain loyal, some switch sides according to situation, and some do not prefer to join certain factions or any faction at all. Appealing to the factions needs is a key feature to keep the population under control and avoid being overthrown, be it by a coup d'état or by having him defeated in the elections which are held occasionally. However, some factions' policies and demands conflict with those of others.

Capitalists are the wealthy and enterprising people of the island. Naturally, their agenda pits them against the communist. They respect a high crime safety, charging for housing, and having a diverse and competitive economy. They are led by Antonio Lopez, a wealthy opportunist who promotes the sale of dangerous products and even sells firearms to the rebels for a quick buck. If the Capitalist demands are not being met, they will begin resorting to thievery to make money and will steal a portion of all income.

Communists are the largest faction more concerned about the quality of housing and healthcare on the island. Comrade Vasquez, their leader, is an eccentric communist who frequently spouts communist slogans. In the event that the Communist become upset, rebels from Cuba will begin to infiltrate your island and fight against your regime.

Intellectuals are more progressive, contrary to the more conservative Religious faction and the Spartan Militarists. They are led by Miss Pineapple, who is also el Presidente's lover and a cabaret dancer. The Intellectuals prefer edicts that benefit the educational sector, and are easily agitated by some others, especially book burning, which will drive them away. Upsetting the Intellectuals will cause student protest, making it so no Tropicans graduate from High Schools or Colleges.

The Religious are a conservative Catholic faction led by Reverend Estaban, a drunkard who uses rum during his sermons to worship God. They are very concerned about faith among Tropicans, and building churches and cathedrals increase their influence. If the Religious faction is upset, priest and bishops will speak against you, spreading dissent among any who attend sermons on the island.

Militarists are interested in the defense of Tropico. They are quite sizeable, and lack of supporters might result in rebellions, terrorist attacks or invasions. General Rodriguez leads the militarists. The militarists are mostly detractors of the intellectuals, and are thus, mostly illiterate. Low wages for soldiers may cause the Militarist to stage a coup.

Environmentalists strive to preserve the natural beauty of Tropico. Led by the hippie Sunny Flowers, an anchorwoman and conspiracy theorist. They oppose any efforts to scar the environment, even for economic purposes like logging and mining, and thus are detractors of the Capitalists. Passing anti-pollution laws appease them. If not appeased, Environmentalist will attempt to blockade your industrial buildings.

Nationalists are in charge of caring and preserving the Tropican people and customs. They generally oppose immigrants, who, according to leader el Diablo, a violent skinhead, take lucrative jobs away from Tropicans. Will oppose any foreign-friendly policies, and are at loggerheads with Communists and Capitalists. When ignored, Nationalist will start riots on the island. These riots quickly escalate into battles between Tropicans and immigrants.

Loyalists are a faction who are always loyal to el Presidente. They are led by El Presidente's personal advisor, Penultimo. Most of their members have a below average intelligence and have been brainwashed with all the propaganda beautifying el Presidente. They will never rebel; in return they demand that el Presidente acts like a "true leader" and shuns democracy and cultivates his image through facilities such as a museum dedicated to el Presidente's childhood.

Development

The game was announced in the middle of August 2010 in a press release by publisher, Kalypso Media. Tropico 4 was released on both Xbox 360 and PC, as was predecessor Tropico 3., however unlike its predecessors, Tropico 4 can be played through the Onlive platform.

Demo

A demo version was released on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and Steam. It contains 4 tutorial missions and 1 campaign mission. Many buildings are not available for construction.

Expansion & DLC

An expansion, titled Modern Times, was released on March 27, 2012. It features a new single-player campaign which takes place a year after the events of Tropico 4. After El Presidente's success in rebuilding Tropico, he leaves on a well deserved vacation, just to find that his lackey Penultimo predictably ran the entire nation to the ground when he returns, amid the 2008 economic crisis. While working to put the country back on track, El Presidente crosses paths with the elusive shadow organization "The Conclave" and it's up to him to help save the world again while lining his pockets.

On December 15, the first of many DLC packs was released, titled Junta. Since then, several more DLC packs have been released, including Plantador, Quick Dry Cement, Pirate Heaven, Megalopolis, Vigilante, Voodoo, Propaganda!, The Academy and the most recent DLC, Apocalypse. Each DLC pack includes new buildings, a new island, a new mission, a new trait, and, depending on the DLC, new clothing options for El Presidente and new decor. The DLC Modern Times also modernizes the gameplay adding in events and such which would have happened slightly earlier or during the present day.

Reception

The game has received generally positive reviews and holds a 77/100 score on Metacritic based on 28 reviews (78/100 on the PC). Most critics had praised the title for its addictive gameplay, great sense of humor and the excess of variety. However a number of reviews had cited Tropico 4 for bearing too many similarities to its predecessor, as well as a lack of innovation. GameSpot commented that "Tropico 4 is a likeable and engaging sequel that expands on its predecessor but doesn't offer much new depth." IGN stated that "if you’re the type that's spent hours with the likes of Civilization or SimCity, or has an unhealthy need to be in control, then it’s time to become El Presidente."

External links

• Official website
• Tropico 4: Gold Edition at Feral Interactive