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Tropico 6

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Tropico 6
Item: Tropico 6
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2019

GenresAdventure, Simulation, Top-Down Perspective, Strategy, Single Player, Multiplayer

AvailableMar 29, 2019

PlatformPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5

DeveloperLimbic Entertainment

Overview

El Presidente is back! Prove yourself once again as a feared dictator or peace-loving statesman on the island state of Tropico and shape the fate of your very own banana republic through four distinctive eras.

Elsewhere

6.8

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

80%

Mixed (50-79)

20%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Tropico 6 are generally positive. Many critics appreciate the satirical approach to the story, with a dictator building up an island nation and maintaining power through fear and corruption. PlayStation Universe, God is a Geek, and DarkStation specifically mention the satirical premise and humor that adds depth to the game. The story missions are praised for their well-written and voice-acted characters, providing a humorous and entertaining experience. The game's setting in different eras, as mentioned by Pure Nintendo and Vooks, allows players to shape their nation and face unique challenges, adding depth to the story. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the story of Tropico 6. Softpedia criticizes the game for lacking a hidden story and instead focusing on making the player feel like a ruler and building their own adventure. This suggests that the game may not have a strong overarching narrative. GameSpot mentions that while the game has a heavy premise with parallels to real-world history, it is diluted with tongue-in-cheek humor. This could imply that the satire may not resonate with all players and may detract from the seriousness of the story. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Tropico 6 offers an engaging and satirical story. The game's focus on political strategy and maintaining power by any means necessary, as mentioned by Push Square and The Escapist, creates an intriguing premise. The ability to guide the island nation through different eras and make choices that affect gameplay, highlighted by Digital Chumps and Digitally Downloaded, adds depth and replayability. The variety of game modes, including tutorial, missions, and sandbox, as praised by NintendoWorldReport and Player 2, provide different ways to experience the story. While there are some criticisms regarding the lack of a hidden story and the balance between humor and seriousness, the overall sentiment is that Tropico 6 offers an enjoyable and satirical storytelling experience.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics generally praise Tropico 6 for its engaging and satirical story, with a dictator ruling an island nation through fear and corruption. The well-written characters and humor in story missions enhance the gameplay experience. Some critics feel the game lacks a strong overarching narrative and that the humor dilutes the serious themes. Despite these criticisms, Tropico 6 offers depth and replayability with its era-spanning setting and varied gameplay modes. Overall, critics agree that Tropico 6 provides an enjoyable and satirical storytelling experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

80%

Mixed (50-79)

20%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The majority of the critics praised the gameplay of Tropico 6, with many highlighting its deep management systems and engaging mechanics. The game offers a variety of gameplay options, including a campaign mode with evolving challenges and a sandbox mode for more traditional simulation gameplay. Critics such as PlayStation Universe and NintendoWorldReport appreciated the inclusion of both modes, providing players with different ways to experience the game. The intuitive construction system and management options for businesses and employees were also commended by critics like PSX Extreme. The game offers a robust tutorial, as mentioned by Push Square and Pure Nintendo, which helps newcomers understand the controls and systems. Additionally, the extensive sandbox mode with intuitive menus and the ability to adjust various aspects of the nation, mentioned by Nintendo Life and NintendoWorldReport, provide players with unlimited potential and depth. Despite the overall positive sentiment towards the gameplay, there were some criticisms raised by certain critics. Push Square mentioned that the game may not explain itself well at times, leading to confusion. GameSpot and Softpedia criticized the tutorial for not effectively explaining everything, which could be frustrating for players. Game Informer also pointed out issues with building queues and waiting times, affecting the automation of certain aspects of the game. Some critics, such as Game Debate and Softpedia, found the road placement system difficult to use, which could hinder the overall experience. Player 2 also mentioned issues with road placement and menu structure. However, these negative aspects were relatively minor compared to the overall positive reception of the gameplay. In conclusion, the gameplay of Tropico 6 received high praise from the majority of the critics. The deep management systems, engaging mechanics, and multiple gameplay options were commended by various critics, including PSX Extreme, PlayStation Universe, and Nintendo Life. The inclusion of a robust tutorial and extensive sandbox mode also added to the overall positive sentiment. While there were some criticisms regarding the game's explanation of certain mechanics, road placement system, and building queues, these issues were relatively minor compared to the overall positive consensus. Overall, Tropico 6 offers a highly enjoyable gameplay experience with its intuitive construction system, management options, and variety of gameplay modes, making it a worthy addition to the city-building and management sim genre.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Tropico 6's gameplay impresses critics with deep management systems, engaging mechanics, and diverse gameplay modes like campaign and sandbox. Praise for intuitive construction tools and tutorial, though some critics note issues with explanations, road placement, and building queues. Overall, Tropico 6 delivers a highly enjoyable experience with minor flaws, making it a standout city-building and management sim game.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

31%

Mixed (50-79)

66%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Tropico 6 are varied. Several critics, such as PSX Extreme and CGMagazine, praise the game's visuals, describing them as lush, vibrant, and visually delightful. They appreciate the beautiful islands, high level of detail, and the game's ability to create archipelagos. The art style is also commended by Attack of the Fanboy, who describes it as fantastic, blending serious subject matter with humor and a cartoonish setting. Windows Central even goes as far as calling the visuals stunning, with excellent texture quality and gorgeous lighting. These positive opinions highlight the game's ability to create a visually appealing tropical paradise and the improvements in visual design compared to its predecessors. However, there are also critics who express some negative aspects of the game's Graphics and Visual Design. God is a Geek and DarkStation mention low-resolution textures and jagged textures on buildings when zoomed in, while Digital Chumps and Gaming Age criticize the graphics for being grainy, washed-out, and not up to the standards of a 2019 release. Nintendo Life and NintendoWorldReport specifically mention the graphical downgrade in the Switch port compared to other platforms, with visuals that are not as sharp. These criticisms highlight the limitations and inconsistencies in the graphics, especially when zoomed in or played on certain platforms. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Tropico 6 offers visually pleasing graphics and visual design, particularly when it comes to the tropical island setting and the overall aesthetic. The game is praised for its vibrant and colorful landscapes, intuitive menus and UI, and the ability to create archipelagos. However, there are also criticisms regarding low-resolution textures, jagged visuals, and graphical downgrades in certain versions of the game. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment leans towards positive, with the majority of critics appreciating the visual appeal and design choices of Tropico 6.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed opinions on Tropico 6's Graphics and Visual Design. Some praise its lush, vibrant visuals and detailed islands, while others criticize low-resolution textures and graphical downgrades, especially on certain platforms. Overall, the game's tropical paradise aesthetics are well-received, but there are some inconsistencies that detract from its visual appeal.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

75%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Tropico 6 are generally positive. Multiple critics praised the music and sound design, highlighting its ability to immerse players in the tropical setting of the game. Push Square describes the mambo soundtrack as initially irritating but becomes catchy, ultimately considering the music to be pretty good overall. CGMagazine describes the music as infectious with cool Caribbean inspired beats, while DualShockers states that the tropical music helps to immerse the player in the game. Windows Central also commends the musical score, stating that it offers a variety of salsa and reggae tracks that suit the tropical theme perfectly. These positive opinions from various critics emphasize the effectiveness of the sound design and music in creating an immersive and enjoyable experience. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by critics. DarkStation points out that while the island-flavored music is bouncy and flavorful, it can become overly familiar with extended play. This suggests that the repetitive nature of the music could potentially become monotonous or tiresome for players who spend a significant amount of time in the game. Despite this criticism, it is worth noting that DarkStation still acknowledges the positive qualities of the music, highlighting its bouncy and flavorful nature. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music in Tropico 6 are well-executed and contribute positively to the overall experience. God is a Geek praises the voice acting, particularly the performance of characters like Penultimo, which adds to the enjoyment of the game. Digitally Downloaded mentions that the music in the game is fun and perfect for being on an island, adding new energy to the gameplay. The Digital Fix notes that the game's music and mechanics contribute to the joyfully nihilistic tone, further enhancing the overall experience. The Escapist and TheSixthAxis both highlight the cheery Latin soundtrack and sweet sounds of Caribbean instrumental music, respectively, as elements that add to the relaxing and immersive atmosphere of the game. The positive opinions from multiple critics, along with the acknowledgement of some minor negatives, indicate that the sound design and music of Tropico 6 are generally well-received and effectively enhance the overall gameplay experience.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praise Tropico 6's sound design and music for immersing players in its tropical setting, with catchy mambo tracks and Caribbean beats. While some find the music repetitive over time, overall consensus is positive, noting the well-executed sound design and voice acting that enhance the game's enjoyable and immersive experience.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

57%

Mixed (50-79)

43%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Tropico 6 has received mostly positive reviews from the critics. PlayStation Universe describes the relationship between the main character and their second in command as "goofy and bizarrely sweet," indicating that the voice acting effectively portrays the unique dynamic between these characters. God is a Geek praises the voice acting, specifically mentioning the character Penultimo as adding to the enjoyment of the game. CGMagazine also commends the voice work in the game, particularly in the guided scenarios, describing it as excellent. Windows Central further adds that the voice acting is well-done and the writing effectively pokes fun at dictatorship stereotypes. On the negative side, there are no specific criticisms mentioned by the reviewers regarding the voice acting in Tropico 6. This suggests that the voice acting is generally well-received and does not have any major flaws or shortcomings. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Tropico 6 is well done and adds to the enjoyment of the game. The positive comments from critics such as God is a Geek, CGMagazine, and Windows Central highlight the effectiveness of the voice work in portraying the characters and enhancing the overall experience. The lack of any negative criticisms further supports the notion that the voice acting is of high quality. Therefore, it can be concluded that the voice acting in Tropico 6 is a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the overall sentiment.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics praise Tropico 6's voice acting for effectively portraying character dynamics, adding enjoyment to the game, and poking fun at stereotypes. No major flaws were noted, indicating widespread positive reception. Overall, the voice acting is a strong asset that enhances the gaming experience according to reviews.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

25%

Mixed (50-79)

55%

Negative (0-49)

20%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance of Tropico 6, there are both positive and negative aspects mentioned by the critics across different gaming platforms. Starting with the positives, the Nintendo Switch version of the game received praise for its controls, with critics such as NintendoWorldReport and Pure Nintendo highlighting the ease of navigation and well-implemented controls. Additionally, God is a Geek mentioned that the game runs smoothly for the most part on the Nintendo Switch, although there can be noticeable frame rate slowdowns when moving between islands, especially in handheld mode. Windows Central also commended the PC version, stating that Tropico 6 runs excellently with no bugs, freezes, or frame rate drops. On the other hand, there were several negative aspects mentioned by the critics regarding the technical performance of Tropico 6. The Nintendo Switch version faced issues such as long loading times, frame rate drops, and chugging when panning and zooming, as pointed out by critics like Player 2 and Gaming Age. Nintendo Life also highlighted occasional hitches, unstable frame rates, and instances where players had to wait for things to happen. Similarly, CGMagazine and Game Debate mentioned technical issues on the PC version, including crashes to desktop, corrupted autosave game files, and bugs affecting gameplay. However, both critics acknowledged that these issues could potentially be addressed through patches. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the technical performance of Tropico 6 is mixed. While some platforms, such as the Nintendo Switch and PC, faced various technical issues like frame rate drops, long loading times, and occasional bugs, there were also positive aspects mentioned, such as smooth gameplay and well-implemented controls. It is worth noting that some critics, like The Digital Fix and DualShockers, did not encounter any significant bugs or technical problems during their playthroughs. Therefore, it seems that the technical performance of Tropico 6 can vary depending on the gaming platform, with some experiencing more issues than others.

TL;DR

technical performance

Tropico 6's technical performance has received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised smooth gameplay and controls on Nintendo Switch and PC, others criticized issues like frame rate drops and long loading times. Despite potential patches to address these problems, opinions vary on the game's technical performance across different platforms.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

44%

Mixed (50-79)

56%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Tropico 6 are generally positive. Many critics highlight the game's sandbox mode, which allows players to make different choices and maintain power, as a key factor in its replayability. PlayStation Universe mentions that the ability to make different choices adds to the replay value, while Push Square emphasizes the extra replay value and variety in gameplay provided by the sandbox mode and online multiplayer. Xbox Tavern also mentions the game's trading, raiding, loans, and building mechanics as elements that will keep players busy for a significant amount of time. These positive aspects of the game's replay value are further supported by critics such as God is a Geek, Nintendo Life, Player 2, Pure Nintendo, Switch Player, and CGMagazine, who all mention the abundance of content, customization options, and humor that keep players entertained and engaged. However, there are some critics who express mixed opinions about the replay value of Tropico 6. Attack of the Fanboy mentions that while there is a lot to love in the game once players figure it out, failing games can be frustrating. DarkStation also notes that while the game offers a sandbox mode with unlimited resources, it may start to feel aimless compared to the campaign mode. Game Informer adds that the gameplay can become repetitive after a few hours of playing the campaign missions. Softpedia mentions that the multiplayer component is simplistic, which may limit the replay value for some players. These criticisms suggest that certain aspects of the game's replay value may not be as strong or enjoyable as others. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Tropico 6 offers a good amount of replay value. The positive aspects of the game, such as the sandbox mode, customization options, and abundance of content, are highlighted by multiple critics, including PlayStation Universe, Push Square, God is a Geek, Nintendo Life, Player 2, Pure Nintendo, Switch Player, and CGMagazine. These elements contribute to the game's overall replayability and provide players with a variety of gameplay experiences. While there are some mixed opinions, such as those expressed by Attack of the Fanboy, DarkStation, Game Informer, and Softpedia, the general sentiment is that Tropico 6 offers enough replay value to keep players engaged and entertained for a significant amount of time.

TL;DR

replay value

Tropico 6 receives positive feedback on replay value from critics, praising sandbox mode for diverse choices and lasting power. While some critics express mixed feelings, overall consensus is on the game's abundance of content, customization options, and humor keeping players entertained. Despite some criticisms of repetitive gameplay and simplistic multiplayer, Tropico 6 offers a good amount of replay value for players seeking varied experiences.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

46%

Mixed (50-79)

54%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Overall, the opinions of the critics regarding the Overall Verdict of Tropico 6 are largely positive. The game is praised for its refined gameplay, polished mechanics, and satirical story. Critics such as PlayStation Universe and DarkStation commend Tropico 6 for being the most refined and entertaining installment in the franchise. They highlight the game's well-done writing, infectious music, and enjoyable gameplay, making it a fun and satisfying experience for fans. The game is also lauded for its strong controls and UI tailored for handheld mode, as noted by Nintendo Life and NintendoWorldReport. Additionally, Tropico 6 is commended for its extensive replayability, variety of choices, and deep simulation experience, as mentioned by GameSpot and TheSixthAxis. These positive aspects of the game contribute to its appeal and enjoyment for fans of the genre. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by critics. One common criticism is the technical issues experienced in the Switch version of Tropico 6. Critics like God is a Geek and Pure Nintendo point out longer load times, noticeable frame rate drops in handheld mode, and technical limitations. Some critics also mention occasional pacing problems and overwhelming objectives in the campaign mode, as acknowledged by Xbox Tavern and Game Informer. Another criticism is the lack of included DLC, as mentioned by Switch Player. These negative aspects may hinder the overall experience for some players and impact their enjoyment of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Tropico 6 is a highly enjoyable and recommended game, particularly for fans of the series or the genre. The game is praised for its refined gameplay mechanics, polished graphics, and satirical story. It offers a unique and engaging governance experience, as noted by The Escapist. The game's extensive content, enjoyable gameplay, and addictive nature are also highlighted by critics such as CGMagazine and Twinfinite. Despite some technical issues and occasional pacing problems, Tropico 6 is still considered a fun and satisfying city-building and resource management sim. The compromises made for the Switch portability are deemed worth it, as stated by NintendoWorldReport. While there are some criticisms regarding technical limitations and lack of included DLC, the overall consensus is that Tropico 6 is a solid and enjoyable game that provides a delightful experience for fans of the genre.

TL;DR

Critics praise Tropico 6 for refined gameplay, satirical story, and replay value, making it a top pick for fans. However, technical issues on the Switch version and occasional pacing problems are noted as drawbacks. Overall, the game offers a fun and engaging city-building experience with some minor flaws.

MONSTER

Reviews

145 reviews found

Twinfinite

Mar 29, 2019