Tropico Video Game Series (Tropico)
A series of humorous management simulations with elements of economic strategy, created by PopTop Software studio. The brand is currently owned by Kalypso Media. Haemimont Games studio worked on three games (from the third to the fifth), while Limbic Entertainment is responsible for the sixth part.
Phil Steinmeyer from the PopTop Software is considered to be the father of the Tropico series. The first game in the series was released in 2001 on PC. The unconventional approach to the theme of dictatorships of banana republics, sprinkled with a large dose of humor, appealed to players. This encouraged the developers to prepare several expansions (including Tropico: Paradise Island), and then a full-fledged sequel - Tropico 2: Pirate Cove (in this case, PopTop Software studio only designed the game, while the development was handled by Frog City Software). Fans had to wait six years for the next part of the series, which was mainly due to publishing problems. Eventually the brand was bought out by Kalypso Media, who commisioned Haemimont Games to work on Tropico 3 (2009). The same developer also worked on the fourth installment - Tropico 4 (2011). It is worth noting that Tropico 3 and Tropico 4 was released not only on PC, as was the case with the previous parts, but also on Xbox 360. In 2015, the Bulgarian team developed Tropico 5which, in addition to the PC and Xbox 360 release, was also released on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. In addition to minor changes and improvements to the visuals, the most important novelty was the introduction of dynasties. Now, the player could manage an entire family, casting individual members not only in political positions, but also in the media or business. In 2018, we got a mobile installment of the series, created specifically for iOS, developed by Feral Interactive studio. In spring 2019, the sixth full-fledged installment of the series was released on PC, this time developed by Limbic Entertainment studio. XONE and PS4 owners had to wait until the summer of that year.
The core gameplay of the Tropico series is to manage a banana republic. The player takes on the role of a dictator - "El Presidente" - and tries to control a small country with a firm hand. The goal is to stay in power for as long as possible, which requires, among other things, constantly courting the support of various factions and social groups, preventing revolts or outside intervention. Tropico 6 takes place on a large archipelago, so for the first time the player had the opportunity to manage not one, but several islands at once. This, in turn, introduced new options to the game, such as building bridges or tunnels connecting individual locations. Another new option was sending spies trained in stealing modern technology to other countries.
One of the characteristic elements of the Tropico games are numerous references to authentic characters and events. Thus, we have references to, among others, the Cold War and dictators such as Fidel Castro, Augusto Pinochet and Antonio Salazar. The whole thing, however, is depicted in a parodistic manner.
Individual games in the Tropico series usually offer several game modes, including the possibility to play a full campaign, a single scenario or a custom mission. Tropico 3 introduced online modes, including the option to share player-created maps. The fifth full-fledged installment introduced the possibility of playing for four people simultaneously via LAN or the Internet.
It is estimated that the Tropico series has sold about 10 million copies .
Tropico Series Evolution
2026
Tropico 7
2019
Tropico 6
2014
Tropico 5
2011
Tropico 4
2009
Tropico 3
2006
Tropico: Antologia
2003
Tropico 2: Pirate Cove
2001
Tropico (2001)
Tropico 7
2026
Strategy, City Builder, Economic, Internet, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, Cold War, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
The seventh installment in a series of economic strategies. Tropico 7 once again allows us to become El Presidente and rule a banana republic. This part of the series brings some new features, like terraforming the terrain, a system of political affiliation or a tactical aspect.
Tropico 6
March 29, 2019
Strategy, City Builder, Economic, Internet, Multiplayer, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, RTS, Singleplayer, Cold War.
One of the installments in the economy strategy game series started in 2001 - Tropico. The game has been developed by Limbic Entertainment - the creators of Might & Magic X: Legacy and Might & Magic: Heroes VII. In Tropico 6, the player assumes the role of El Presidente - the leader of a banana republic. The objective is to manage the country by developing the cities, providing the citizens with jobs, fixing the damage caused by various natural disasters, as well as issuing decrees that shape both domestic and foreign policies. One of the novelties delivered by Tropico 6 is the fact that the action of the game no longer takes place on a single island - instead, the country is spread between multiple islands, all of which have to be managed by the player at the same time. The islands can be connected by bridges and tunnels. The game also features agents, who can be dispatched to various corners of the world to - not entirely legally - obtain blueprints for certain structures, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower. Moreover, the developers decided to allow the players to modify the main palace and appear before the society. During a speech, a player can e.g. make populistic promises.
Steam
Users
Expansion Packs:
- Tropico 6: Tropican Shores June 18, 2024
- Tropico 6: Return to Nature March 6, 2025
Tropico Mobile
December 18, 2018
Strategy, City Builder, Economic, Remaster/remake, RTS, Singleplayer.
The mobile version of the well-known cycle of economic strategy games, based on the PC version of Tropico 3. In Tropico Mobile we play the role of the dictator ruling a small country in the tropical archipelago. Feral Interactive studio is responsible for production.
Users
Tropico 5
May 23, 2014
Strategy, City Builder, Economic, Internet, Multiplayer, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, RTS, Singleplayer, Cold War.
The fifth installment in the popular series of economic strategy games developed by studio Haemimont Games, which is responsible for the franchise since the third entry in the series. The game makes the player a leader of a small tropical island, responsible for governing it all the way from the colonial age through modern times and to the near future. Your tasks will be, as usual, to develop the city and take care of its industry and economy. You must also react in real time to the changing situation caused by natural disasters, different needs of the society, and global politics. The new installment adds the possibility to create your own dynasty and entrust the most important positions in the government to your own family members. For the first time in the history of the series the game features a multiplayer mode for up to four players.
Steam
Users
Expansion Packs:
- Tropico 5: Waterborne December 17, 2014
- Tropico 5: Espionage May 28, 2015
Tropico 4
August 23, 2011
Strategy, City Builder, Economic, Internet, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, Cold War.
The fourth installment in the humorous series of economic strategy games in which we assume the role of a ruthless dictator of a small banana republic. After the previous developer (responsible for the first installment from 2001) was taken over by THQ, the series was given to Haemimont Games. The main highlight of the gameplay is taking care of the country’s budget, which is fed by resource mining and production of various goods. The citizens’ happiness is also an important aspect. We take care of them through creating various public utility buildings. To get the political chaos under control, we can use military, bribes, intimidation, or even public executions. If brutal methods don’t serve their purpose anymore, we can attempt to talk with the opposition, and in case of a natural disaster, The Red Cross will heed our call. In the fourth installment of the game, we are introduced to a new set of special buildings and a system of trading with neighboring countries.
Steam
Users
Expansion Packs:
- Tropico 4: Modern Times March 29, 2012
Tropico 3
September 24, 2009
Strategy, City Builder, Economic, Internet, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, Cold War.
The third installment in the bestselling series of economic strategy games, this time also available on the Xbox 360 console. Although the series was handed to a different developer, the Bulgarian studio Haemimont Games, the foundations of the gameplay remained unchanged. In the game the player assumes the role of a leader of a small island nation and transforms it into either a democratic paradise or an oppressive dictatorship. The player is tasked with gathering resources, taking care of welfare of the citizens and maintaining diplomatic relations. For the first time in the history of the series the player can directly control the dictator and decide about his looks and abilities. As the leader, one can freely move across the island and directly influence various aspects of the nation. The terrain itself can also be freely shaped. A fully three-dimensional graphics engine provides excellent visual experience.
Steam
Users
Expansion Packs:
- Tropico 3: Absolute Power May 12, 2010
Tropico: Antologia
May 19, 2006
Strategy, City Builder, Economic, Package, Pirates, RTS, Singleplayer, Cold War.
A special package consisting of two parts of Pop Top Software's well-known strategic series - Tropico, as well as an addition to the first of them - Tropico: Rajska Wyspa.
Users
Tropico 2: Pirate Cove
April 8, 2003
Strategy, 2D, City Builder, Economic, Pirates, RTS, Singleplayer, Isometric View.
Developed by Frog City Software team, the sequel to the popular Tropico economic strategy from 2001. Unlike its predecessor set in the 20th century, the game takes us to the 17th century and allows us to become the real ruler of the southern seas. We play the role of a pirate king, managing the base, hidden on one of the islands of a fictional archipelago. Our main task is to provide all the pirates' pleasures, such as food, wine, women, gold and gambling.
Steam
Users
Tropico (2001)
April 25, 2001
Strategy, City Builder, Economic, RTS, Singleplayer.
Tropico is the first installment of the popular cycle of economic strategies. The player plays the role of a dictator on one of the islands of the fictional archipelago. Its task is to bring a small state to bloom. Developers from PopTop Software studio took care of humorous approach to the subject and climatic visual setting.
Steam
Users
Expansion Packs:
- Tropico: Paradise Island January 9, 2002
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Tropico 5 for Free on Epic Games Store
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