Tropico 4: Modern Times

The main pros of the game

• New Campaign: The expansion introduces a new campaign with 12 missions, which many users found engaging and fun.
• Modern Buildings and Edicts: The addition of new buildings and edicts enhances gameplay, allowing for more strategic options and economic planning.
• Timeline Mechanic: The timeline feature, which unlocks buildings and introduces historical events, adds depth and variety to gameplay.
• Visual Appeal: Some users appreciated the modernized buildings and the overall aesthetic improvements.

The main cons of the game

• Removal of Old Buildings: A significant downside noted by users is that unlocking modern buildings replaces older ones, limiting players' choices and the ability to create diverse architectural styles.
• Game Balance Issues: Many players criticized the new buildings for being overpowered, making the game easier and reducing the challenge, particularly in the campaign.
• Difficulty of Campaign: Some users found the campaign missions to be less challenging compared to the base game, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction upon completion.
• Visual Discrepancy: The modern buildings often clashed with the original game's charming Caribbean aesthetic, leading to a less cohesive visual experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Coexistence of Old and New Buildings: Players expressed a desire for the ability to build both old and modern structures simultaneously for more creative freedom.
• Increased Challenge: There were calls for a more balanced difficulty level in the campaign, with some users feeling that the new structures made gameplay too easy.
• Better Integration of New Content: Some users wished for the new buildings and features to be available in saved games or the original campaign, rather than requiring new playthroughs to access them.
• Improved Dialogue and Characterization: A few users felt that the humor and personality of the series were diminished in the expansion, with less inspired dialogue compared to the base game.

Summary

• Overall, while the Modern Times expansion adds significant content and features to Tropico 4, it is met with mixed reviews primarily due to gameplay balance issues and the removal of older buildings.

Summary generated on: October 24, 2025