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Tropico 3

EMAIL PRINT pc

8.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 46 critic reviews
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Based on 44 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Kalypso Media

Developer: Haemimont Games

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy, City-Building, Simulation

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: October 20, 2009

Summary

As in the original Tropico, the player again is able to play the role of "El Presidente" taking over the control of a tropical island. You decide whether you want to use your army to secure your power base in the best traditions of corrupt, unscrupulous tyrants everywhere, or alternatively to lead your people to prosperity in your role as generous elder statesman. Danger lurks on every corner. There are militant rebels planning a Coup d'Etat for a communistic Junta, while in the background there are two lurking superpowers, the USA and the Soviet Union, who would perhaps prefer a more pliable president in the strategically important island of Tropico! [Kalypso]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Tropico Tropico 2: Pirate Cove Tropico: Paradise Island

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

My Gamer

While it isn’t a perfect game it does manage to come rather close to that mark. If you have a PC that is able to run Tropico there is no reason not to run out and buy the game. It is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

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GameShark

Beyond that, Tropico 3 is a fantastically addictive single player game that will have you up until the wee hours of the morning — who knew a Castro sim could be so much fun?

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AtomicGamer

With a reasonable $40 price tag and some solid visuals to go along, this one crosses genres nicely to appeal to both RTS fans and city management-types alike.

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Game Informer

The expected sandbox mode complements Tropico's excellent campaign, and it's exactly what you'd expect. [Nov 2009, p.112]

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GamingTrend

With the game available from retailers now for $10-$15 less than most newer releases, it’s definitely a great way to unleash your inner dictator.

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Play Magazine

Tropico 3 is a well-designed sim with just the right balance of complexity and micromanagement. It looks good, it sounds good and playing it just might teach you something. How many games can you say that about?

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GamingXP

Tropico 3 is what the second part of the series wanted to be: a great game! Good graphics and the nice music plus the trade and political system make it to an amazing experience!

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Gamer Limit

Whether you have played the prior Tropico titles or not, the blend of politics, construction and economy make this a fantastic game if you can stick with the learning curve.

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Vandal Online

Good looking and well played, fun and very hilarious, Tropic 3 has almost every ingredient to be considered a classic within its genre.

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GameZone

Tropico 3 has all the depth you could want, but presents itself in a fresh light that emphasizes fun without coddling the player. If you have any interest in playing out a dictatorship fantasy, this is as good as it gets.

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IGN

Tropico 3 combines a very good city building game with an intriguing political game.

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Cheat Code Central

Gamers should find that Tropico 3 is one of the better city-building RTS games to come out in a while, and although it may not be much different from its predecessors and its online "features" don't amount to more than social media "lite," what it does offer is simply solid and polished gameplay.

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PC Games (Germany)

A successful and faithful relaunch of the series. Tropico 3 delivers nice graphics, entangling music and a gameplay that makes you feel El President-ish at once! Go buy, or else…!

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Gaming Nexus

A good-looking, surprisingly deep, charming city-builder. Lots of good ideas that make intuitive sense. More than worth the price of admission.

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3DJuegos

Tropico 3 is a great city builder and at the same time an enjoyable and very good-looking RTS.

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PC Format

A great sense of humor. [Christmas 2009, p.94]

Absolute Games

The makers of Tropico 3 managed to update the original game while preserving its spirit.

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Eurogamer Spain

It's difficult to imagine a better way to adapt this special kind of game in a better way than what Haemimont has done with Tropico 3.

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SpazioGames

Tropico 3 is a good game even though similar to the first episode (played eight years ago). There are some improvements, but is very similar than the first episode. Despite it, Tropico 3 is an exciting game that requires you a good dedication.

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Everyeye.it

By putting away the lessons of the creepy second chapter, Tropico returns to its origin, and entertain the player with deep strategy and a hilarious social parody.

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AceGamez

Tropico 3 definitely shines out as a polished, well designed example of management simulation. While the campaign itself is a little short, the real appeal is in establishing your own personal benchmarks, beating other players’ scores online and earning in-game accolades through achievements.

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2404.org

Tropico 3 is not only a faithful adaptation of a classic idea, it’s also the best game Haemimont has ever made.

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Strategy Informer

The lack of a competitive online mode also reduces the replay value, although you can compete indirectly by getting high scores, and you can even visit other player’s islands.

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Nothing but a copycat of the original Tropico game comes with small arrangements like a road building system or 3D visuals. Yet it is a catchy and reliable “dictatorship” game. [Nov 2009]

Meristation

Tropico goes back to its roots with a new developer which has reproduced the most noticeable and fun elements of the first Tropico, merging the typical city management options with politics and social planning, which makes this a very interesting and engaging game.

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Eurogamer

And, of course, there's the music. Which, as we've already is discussed, is awesome. The fight to have this music piped through every PA, loudspeaker and radio station in Britain begins now. Viva la revolution.

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9Lives

Tropico 3 has turned out to be a nice management sim that fans of the genre will love. The gameplay mechanics are elaborate, the economic and political systems are well done and it looks like a charm. The micromanagement can be annoying due to lack of information, but luckily it's never entirely frustrating. Looking for a good sim? Tropico 3 is definitely not a bad choice.

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InsideGamer.nl

Tropico 3 is a difficult, but never an unfair game. Is your financial plan in order, then the political problems will rise on the table, and vice verse. You can never rest and stay on guard for new problems to solve. Before you can solve every problem in the right way you might be a couple of games further. That’s also because of misplaced buttons and options. It is a little downfall on the ‘build your paradise’ game that despite of those small problems, shines like a tropical sun on a usually bright day in paradise.

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GameSpy

Tropico 3 is an enjoyable city simulator that offers the same sort of replayability that others of its kind do; this one just emphasizes experimentation with moral behavior rather than perfecting a building grid. Outside of the refined graphics and Latin soundtrack, it doesn't reach too far beyond the original Tropico. But that's fine with me, as it was the best of its kind since the original SimCity.

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Multiplayer.it

Tropico 3 goes back to the origin of the series, offering the same mechanics of the first episode with a full 3D engine, a 15 mission campaign and a lot of things to do.

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Gamer.nl

Brings the political and economical facets of running your own little island to life with vivid colors and tropical music. The game also adds a lot of humor and stays true to the original game.

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Total PC Gaming

It's manifestly amusing and downright fun, and that's its real strength. [Issue#26, p.46]

GameSpot

Playing a banana republic dictator in Tropico 3 might not be easy, but it certainly is rewarding.

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Gamers.at

Those who have already played the first one should not expect anything new in Tropico 3 - the gameplay is almost identical. This is good news for fans, because the original is still a great game, but we would rather have liked to see more innovations.

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GameStar

Despite the 3D graphics, Tropico 3 is basically the same game like the first version eight years ago. A lot of things are not up to date, but the mix of politics, economy, development and black humor is ageless. If you liked the first Tropico, you will love the new one.

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GamingExcellence

Overall, Tropico 3 is enjoyable for those that thrive on simulator city management games.

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Gamers' Temple

So here's the deal: If you like sims and have the patience to let things run on their own for stretches of time, you'll probably enjoy Tropico. If you're a Tropico fan from the old days, expect more of the same except with prettier graphics and make your decision based on that. If you're the type of sim player that enjoys building large SimCity style metropolises, Tropico probably isn't for you as you won't be building any San Juans in the game. Lastly, for everyone else, the slow pace of the game and the time it takes to get a working economy will probably try your patience too much.

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GamesNation

Tropico 3’s gameplay hasn’t changed much since the first iteration thus making it difficult for the players to decide whether the new graphics is enough to make want to be El Presidente once again… But if you’ve never played at it before, this is a great chance!

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1UP

Tropico 3 beats the hell out of history books, and strangely, most games of its kind. I only wish that the soundtrack had more tunes. And that I could have the DJ shot. God, I can't stand that guy.

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PC Zone UK

A really involving little sim. [Christmas 2009, p.78]

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PC Gamer UK

As much fun as a day at the beach, but Tropico 3 misses a big boat by not showing you the results of your presidential labours. [Dec 2009, p.108]

Teletext GameCentral

One of the few successful attempts to mix politics and gaming is far more entertaining than you'd think.

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Edge Magazine

Tropico is as vibrant and capricious as the setting, and never dry or formulaic in the way that other management games can tend to be. [Christmas 2009, p.106]

PC PowerPlay

Surprisingly deep city-building sim with lots of neat quirks. [Christmas 2009, p.62]

Armchair Empire

The tongue-in-cheek tone of the game almost seems to mock you as much as it mocks the real life despots of the Cold War. If you can shrug that off, you'll find a decent little sim.

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games(TM)

The tongue-in-cheek Cold War-era humour is preferable to Cities XL's hard-faced exterior, but Haemimont's skill in masking the behind-the-scenes mechanisms pales in comparison to Mote Cristo's effort. [Dec 2009, p.118]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 44 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Ove M. gave it a5:
Could have been so much better. I experienced alots of bugs and graphics glitches. The gameplay is okay... not exactly as cool as Tropico 1,2. But if you're hardcore Tropico fan you will like it!

Derek gave it a6:
I'm conflicted about how to rate this game. If you are into simple strategy games with out a lot of depth, this is a good game. I've been playing it a lot, and have yet to come into a campaign that i haven't crushed. It seemed like a good challenge at first but after you understand the game (maybe a couple games) it becomes easy. I'm finishing off the campaigns right now, and will attempt to play in the sandbox with all difficulties up to see if it is still as easy. It's not a bad game, I just wish it wasn't a cookie cutter thing (every game I can do the same strategy.) I wish it forced me to vary my styles (only did it a once or twice.

Chris D gave it a4:
Oh well, Kalypso made no effort and Kalypso support are a little too abrupt with their 'valued customers' on the forums for my taste. It's Tropico 1 with a nice loading screen and achievements (in-game, so no ties to Steam or Windows Live). If you didn't play the original, this is the time to get it since it's just as enjoyable, but if you've played it before, don't bother spending money unless they come out with some great addons and release in a bundle.

Dan T gave it a7:
Its a very good building/management simulator. Would rate it higher if it had extended play - mainly because as soon as you build a tv station, airport, etc and get things fully managed and raking in the money.. the game is over. More music options. Roads need work, especially when trying to build a road up to a resource (mining) and you can't get to it. gets routine after a while and is short lived. Play for two weeks and move onto the next game. Was fun, needs more time!

Francis gave it a9:
Great game. Loved it and still loving it! Graphics are really beautiful and its pushing my 295 GTX to the limit! But the DJ is starting to annoy me, and I think there should be more variety in buildings, character customization and islands. However, I do sense an add-on or a map pack is coming soon.

Bob Q. gave it a10:
A seriously solid game - perfect if you enjoy city sims/building sims.

jack M gave it a0:
Kalypso screwed everyone that pre purchased the game on Steam by moving the release date 3 times and by giving a bogus discount that continued after the release...and they are still discounting it (permanent discount). The game is not all that bad, but to easy so I got bored with it after only 15 hours of playing. There are also multiple onnoying bugs and regular crashes. All in all i give it a big fat zero for how they treated (played) me. Its an over rated game that brings nothing new. Do not buy tropico 3 and boycot all games from Kalypso!

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