Tropico Reloaded

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 818 reviews
  • graphics
  • music
  • gameplay
Tropico Reloaded Game Cover
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Tropico Reloaded is a compilation of the original Tropico game and its expansion, Paradise Island. As the ruler of a Caribbean island, you must balance the needs of your people and the economy while dealing with corruption, rebels, and natural disasters. The expansion introduces new tourist attractions and scenarios to keep your leadership skills sharp.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 818 reviews
graphics34 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • Tropico is a classic city-building game that combines humor and strategy, allowing players to experience the challenges of being a dictator.
  • The game features engaging scenarios and a charming soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Despite its age, Tropico still holds up well, providing a fun and addictive gameplay experience with a unique political twist.
  • The graphics and user interface feel dated, which may deter players accustomed to modern games.
  • Some players experience crashes and technical issues, particularly on newer operating systems like Windows 10.
  • The gameplay can be overly challenging, with difficulty spikes that may frustrate new players.
  • graphics162 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its early 2000s origins, yet many players find them charming and adequate for gameplay. While some criticize the visuals as clunky and lacking detail, others appreciate the unique aesthetic and colorful art style that contribute to the game's overall charm. Ultimately, the consensus is that while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they do not detract significantly from the enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “Above all, the aesthetics were unlike any game I had played before or since.”
    • “The aesthetic is extremely colorful; every upgrade makes a visual difference, and it's stylized to the point of being able to pick individuals out of a crowd with ease.”
    • “The graphics and colors are stunning; the pace can be as relaxed as you want, and there's a good bit of humor.”
    • “Graphics were pretty bad.”
    • “The graphics look like shit, but don't let that deceive you; at least the music is jamming.”
    • “Sadly, the graphics don’t really hold up, the UI is byzantine and ugly, and the pacing is whack.”
  • music144 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised as exceptional, with many reviewers highlighting its catchy, atmospheric Caribbean rhythms that enhance the overall experience. The soundtracks are considered iconic and memorable, often described as one of the best aspects of the game, contributing significantly to its charm and replayability. Despite some criticisms regarding graphics and repetitiveness, the music remains a standout feature that resonates with players long after their initial playthrough.

    • “I also want to highlight that for both games the music is just pure perfection.”
    • “The cheerful, atmospheric Caribbean music is lovely.”
    • “The soundtrack is outstanding.”
    • “On the technical side - the game mostly has the same graphics as Tropico 1, the music is a lot less catchy and the UI feels less intuitive too.”
    • “The music is repetitive as a thousand mewing cats outside your window.”
    • “But it gets old especially because of the music and little to no story, but still it's a classic to be played.”
  • gameplay110 mentions

    The gameplay of Tropico is characterized by its engaging city management mechanics, allowing players to choose traits that influence their governance style, which can lead to both advantages and challenges. While the graphics are dated and some mechanics may feel clunky, the core gameplay remains addictive and rewarding, offering a mix of politics and strategy that ensures replayability. Despite its age, many players appreciate the depth and charm of the gameplay, viewing it as a classic that laid the groundwork for later iterations in the series.

    • “The gameplay is challenging, yet rewarding, and even though it can appear to be a repetitive game, each island I build feels new and fresh.”
    • “Tropico’s unique feel, solid gameplay, and genuinely funny humor make this one for the ages.”
    • “The mix of gameplay elements works really well, and feels like they all support each other versus being completely separate.”
    • “The gameplay is clunky and unforgiving.”
    • “Very easy to notice certain flaws with the gameplay that make it rather tedious at times, especially since it was the precursor to many similar titles that have built on top of its core aspects.”
    • “If you've never played it, this game has lots of charm; buyer beware for those of you who are frustrated by retro graphics, or have played Tropico 3, 4, or 5 - you may find that the gameplay is a little dated.”
  • humor52 mentions

    The humor in Tropico is characterized by its witty, tongue-in-cheek satire that cleverly addresses serious political themes like totalitarianism and corruption while maintaining a lighthearted tone. Players find the game's comedic elements, such as the absurdity of being a dictator and the charming interactions with islanders, both entertaining and addictive. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature of the series.

    • “Tropico’s unique feel, solid gameplay, and genuinely funny humor make this one for the ages.”
    • “The game by combining an open-ended design with a wonderful (if somewhat politically incorrect) sense of humor, Tropico provides one of the finest and most dangerously addictive gaming experiences.”
    • “Despite the satire and excessive humor, the game is really good, and brings different aspects from most SimCity-style builders.”
  • story46 mentions

    The story aspect of Tropico 2 is characterized by a campaign that progresses through missions, allowing for character trait changes and a humorous narrative, though it lacks depth compared to mainstream titles in the series. While the game offers engaging management and strategic elements, many players feel it falls short in delivering a compelling storyline, with some missions feeling overly challenging and lacking necessary controls. Overall, it is seen as a classic with potential, but in need of a stronger narrative foundation.

    • “Tropico 2 actually has a campaign built into the game instead of scenarios to play through, each time having a story progressing and your character traits slightly changing.”
    • “While not a traditional story-based Tropico, it is definitely Tropico at its heart.”
    • “All of this makes a pretty good setup for a management game, and indeed the first few missions of the robust campaign roll along with promise.”
    • “The moment you hit the fourth mission, however, the whole thing comes apart.”
    • “In the first mission where you must manage pirate happiness, you're locked from building them any sort of residence, a key happiness indicator.”
    • “But it gets old especially because of the music and little to no story, but still it's a classic to be played.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    Overall, the "Tropico" series is praised for its high replayability, driven by engaging political gameplay and unique challenges in managing an island. While "Tropico 2" stands out for its originality and enjoyable music, some users note that certain versions may have limited replay value after multiple crashes. Despite these issues, many players find the games enjoyable enough to warrant multiple playthroughs.

    • “Tropico 2, on the other hand, has amazing replay value because nothing like it has tread on the same ground.”
    • “I have found this game to have a great replayability value.”
    • “So I'd wait till it's on sale in the crash bundle for $6; that way you might get some replayability from at least one version that works as a full game.”
    • “As mentioned, the graphics aren’t the best, but the music is very catchy, and the difficulty of running your own island is what gives it total replay value.”
    • “In Tropico, gameplay is politics, and the result is endless replayability.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Players appreciate the immersive sound design and artistic elements of the game, but many find the grinding aspect tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant investment in farming and resource management. While the game offers a rich variety of topics to engage with, the repetitive nature of grinding can detract from the overall experience, leading some to feel it demands an excessive time commitment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Very easy to notice certain flaws with the gameplay that make it rather tedious at times, especially since it was the precursor to many similar titles that have built on top of its core aspects.”
    • “You'll be swimming in money with the coffee and tobacco farming, investing that into keeping everyone content.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by cheerful and catchy Caribbean music that many players find delightful and memorable, often recalling it long after playing. While the graphics are considered dated, they do not detract significantly from the overall fun and engaging atmosphere, although some players may find them offputting. Overall, the combination of music and a vibrant setting creates an enjoyable experience for most.

    • “The cheerful, atmospheric Caribbean music is lovely.”
    • “Cool music and atmosphere; although dated, I like the graphics.”
    • “The music is atmospheric and very catchy (it stuck in my head for 13 years after I first played the game in my childhood!).”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players experience a mix of humor and warmth in the emotional aspect of the game, finding joy in both the comedic elements of manipulating islanders and the wholesome satisfaction of witnessing their happiness as the island flourishes. Additionally, a sense of emotional attachment is noted as essential for fully appreciating the game's older titles, exemplified by "Tropico Reloaded."

    • “It's hilarious to torment islanders who won't vote for you, but even better, it's purely wholesome to see them become happy as the island develops.”
    • “I think to some extent you have to have some kind of emotional attachment to really enjoy older titles, and Tropico Reloaded is a good example of this in action.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to frequent crashes on Windows 10. While the English narrator's performance is noted as somewhat exaggerated, it is generally considered appropriate for the game's tone.

    • “No optimization and crashes in Windows 10.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of intrusive ads and excessive monetization tactics, appealing to players who prefer a more traditional gaming experience without the burden of DLC and freemium models.

    • “If you like older games, and loathe the way newer games are chock full of DLC, ads, and freemium crap, then get this game and refresh your cache!”
    • “If you like older games, and loathe the way newer games are chock full of DLC, ads, and freemium crap, then get this game and refresh your cache!”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report experiencing numerous new glitches that have not been encountered in previous versions, indicating potential stability issues within the game.

    • “New glitches I've never seen before.”
    • “New glitches I've never seen before.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

86% average critic score

Buy Tropico Reloaded

Play time

22hMedian play time
26hAverage play time
9-46hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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