Posted December 01, 2009
Oh my god. The GOG catalogue is starting to rock big time. Tropico 1 is, simply said, the best political sim you will find anywhere.
Let me stress that it is a political simulation, and not a "sim city" type game. That is, if you start building things without caring about what your citizens think of you, you won't last long. Basically, you're the ruler of a small island in the Caribbean sea in the '50 era. From here, choices and strategies are endless : the game let you do everything you want to do, from sheer evil fascist (or communist) regimes to open-minded, social democracies. Each of your citizen has his, or her, own political stances, demands, competences and professional abilities, that will evolve with time like in a RPG. There are six political parties in the game :
- capitalists want a thriving economy (industry, tourism, banking... it's your choice).
- communists want a "fair," egalitarian regime.
- environmentalists want a clean island (which is compatible with tourism, but not industry)
- the theocratic party wants churches.
- the militaristic party wants a strong, manly regime (either fascist or commie)
- the intellectuals want a fair democracy.
At the beginning of game, you decide the background of your leader (that's you) as a combination of various ideologies -- here again 100% freedom. And then, you try to stay in charge, avoiding military coups, bankruptcies, food shortages, partisan activity, US invasion, Soviet invasion, and many other issues including an opponent beating you at the next election. Election that you can, by the way, decide to cheat or to refuse, if you think you have enough power to face the consequences.
The strategic possibilities are endless, the factors that you must deal with manifold. Keep an eye on your generals : the guy probably thinks he will be a better leader than your are. Build all kinds of buildings. Ensure that your people are happy -- or rule them by fear. Welcome tourist dollars or try to avoid foreign powers meddling with your affairs. Welcome migrants or refuse them. Allow your citizens to leave the island or close the door. Allow fair elections and convince you're the best candidate, or put your opponent in jail under false pretext. Or bribe him. Or ask to Pope to excommunicate him, if the religious party likes you enough. Govern a green paradise or a steamy, polluted, tropical North Korea. And so on, and so on. Everything is up to you.
Here again (very important for beginners), in this game, the buildings are nothing without the manpower to make them run. You must focus on people, not buildings. If you forget that, the game will be very difficult to play. Once you know how to put people at work -- accepting their demands, paying them better or/and proding them with AK47s -- things will run smoothly...
... or not, if Professor Sanchez, the intellectual candidate, happens to gain some popular notoriety. Maybe it's time to explain to Professor Sanchez how things work in the real world, no ? A little time in a cell will cure him of his idealism.
PS : I'm far less impressed by Tropico 2, which is a mediocre game. The sequel isn't as good as the first one. But then, you have them all for 10 bucks, so who cares ?
Let me stress that it is a political simulation, and not a "sim city" type game. That is, if you start building things without caring about what your citizens think of you, you won't last long. Basically, you're the ruler of a small island in the Caribbean sea in the '50 era. From here, choices and strategies are endless : the game let you do everything you want to do, from sheer evil fascist (or communist) regimes to open-minded, social democracies. Each of your citizen has his, or her, own political stances, demands, competences and professional abilities, that will evolve with time like in a RPG. There are six political parties in the game :
- capitalists want a thriving economy (industry, tourism, banking... it's your choice).
- communists want a "fair," egalitarian regime.
- environmentalists want a clean island (which is compatible with tourism, but not industry)
- the theocratic party wants churches.
- the militaristic party wants a strong, manly regime (either fascist or commie)
- the intellectuals want a fair democracy.
At the beginning of game, you decide the background of your leader (that's you) as a combination of various ideologies -- here again 100% freedom. And then, you try to stay in charge, avoiding military coups, bankruptcies, food shortages, partisan activity, US invasion, Soviet invasion, and many other issues including an opponent beating you at the next election. Election that you can, by the way, decide to cheat or to refuse, if you think you have enough power to face the consequences.
The strategic possibilities are endless, the factors that you must deal with manifold. Keep an eye on your generals : the guy probably thinks he will be a better leader than your are. Build all kinds of buildings. Ensure that your people are happy -- or rule them by fear. Welcome tourist dollars or try to avoid foreign powers meddling with your affairs. Welcome migrants or refuse them. Allow your citizens to leave the island or close the door. Allow fair elections and convince you're the best candidate, or put your opponent in jail under false pretext. Or bribe him. Or ask to Pope to excommunicate him, if the religious party likes you enough. Govern a green paradise or a steamy, polluted, tropical North Korea. And so on, and so on. Everything is up to you.
Here again (very important for beginners), in this game, the buildings are nothing without the manpower to make them run. You must focus on people, not buildings. If you forget that, the game will be very difficult to play. Once you know how to put people at work -- accepting their demands, paying them better or/and proding them with AK47s -- things will run smoothly...
... or not, if Professor Sanchez, the intellectual candidate, happens to gain some popular notoriety. Maybe it's time to explain to Professor Sanchez how things work in the real world, no ? A little time in a cell will cure him of his idealism.
PS : I'm far less impressed by Tropico 2, which is a mediocre game. The sequel isn't as good as the first one. But then, you have them all for 10 bucks, so who cares ?
