Haemimont Games’ 2009 city-state builder, Tropico 3, is nowhere near as deep as it initially appears to be. It certainly seems overwhelming in the beginning.

You play El Presidente, the ruler of Tropico, a tiny island nation in the Caribbean, trying to cling to power as citizens get restless and the superpowers circle around predatorily. There are 7 crops that can be grown, 6 exploitable natural resources, 71 types of buildings to construct (some with multiple options), 7 political factions to appease as well as 40 edicts which determine social, economic, domestic and foreign policies.

On top of that, each individual Tropican’s happiness is determined based on how he or she feels about 10 different aspects of island life. Unhappy Tropicans are quick to let you know how they feel and may eventually join a rebellion seeking to overthrow El Presidente.

It all seems intimidatingly complex.

It’s not.

Tropico 3’s political game, for instance, can boiled down to one James Carville-approved message: la economía, estúpida. With money in the treasury, it’s easy to deal with the island’s various factions. The religious fanatics getting antsy? Build a cathedral and hire a foreign bishop. The military agitating for better living conditions? Give the soldiers a raise and build an army base.

Once the economy is mastered — strategy gamers should be able to formulate a winning build order 5 scenarios into the 15-scenario campaign — Tropico 3 offers little challenge even with severe handicaps and random events thrown into the mix. Elections are easily won, political demands easily met and the superpowers easily placated as long as money flows into the coffers. The right words during election speeches, the right edicts and the right investments will see the player through all 15 campaign scenarios. As a game, Tropico 3 is a little disappointing.

The player who gets the most out of Tropico 3 is the one who delights in Tropico 3 as a simulation rather than as a game. Specifically, it’s made for the player who delights in making simulated life hell for those under his rule.
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