I am the Dictator MAC Daddy!
Written: Nov 30 '01 (Updated Nov 30 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Simple and funny, think of it as the SimTown for the Evil Overlord set.
Cons: Wants to be an advanced sim, but isn't. Almost too difficult in spots.
The Bottom Line: Mac fans, rejoice! It's not SimCity or Civ - but it's a lot of fun. Buy a copy for your favorite Political Mac Geek!
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| jericho's Full Review: Tropico (Mac) |
Funny, this is the MACINTOSH version of this game we're reviewing here, yet of the three reviewers so far, I seem to be the only one playing on a Mac. Go fig!
Anyway, the Mac version of Tropico is worth the bucks. It is a simple simulation of a third world, tropical island where YOU rule! You get to build just about everything on the island, decide it's economy, have relations with other nations and try to keep the people from ousting you!
The game has a great sense of humor. Let's face it, politics in general is a silly business. All the while the game keeps you on your toes trying to please all the factions on the island - or at least scare the heck out of them! Just trying to keep the people fed and employed is tough enough, trying to entertain them, educate them, keep them healthy and all the while skim a little off the top for yourself is darn near impossible, but fun to try!
Do yourself a favor and read the manual. This game did a good job on maxing out my system and causing all kinds of freezing and other problems. The manual acknowledges these problems and offers solutions. I can now play the game with minimal to no technical difficulties due to the fact that I read the manual and made some adjustments.
The game does have some drawbacks. This is a very simple sim pretending to be much more advanced. It's a little frustrating at times that you can't decide on the facing of buildings, you can't decide where the palace will be built, you only have one choice for transportation for your citizens (walking), etc. One of my biggest complaints is that the citizens on the island are kinda slow. The cargo handlers who load the ships often take two to three months (!) of game time to walk from the ship to the end of the pier and back. If one load of goods is worth $5000 and you're going into debt $6000 a month or more, you can lose really fast. Try not to think of this game as a true sim, more as a political exercise - or else you'll hate it.
(A multiplayer mode might have been nice as well - two islands battling it out, or even rival dictators on the same island. Let's hope for a Tropico 2!)
The game is also nearly impossible in some spots. I've been playing for over two months and try as I might, I've never gotten to a 60% approval rating. The included scenarios are also very difficult, so far I have only been able to beat one. Mind you, I felt great about doing it, but the balance seems a little off. If you frustrate easily, go back to SimCity, this isn't the game for you.
In all, this is a good, fun game. if a bit too simple in interface and balanced too much against the player. If you can handle defeat - go grab a copy!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jericho
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Member: Jason Brown
Location: Tukwila, WA.
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 10 members
About Me:
A writer, reader and watcher of Science Fiction.
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