Tropico 5

Tropico 5
75
Metacritic
78
Steam
81.884
xDR
Our rating is calculated based on the reviews and popularity of the game.
Price
$7.99
Release date
23 May 2014
Developers
Steam reviews score
Total
78 (9 404 votes)
Recent
66 (24 votes)

Return to the remote island nation of Tropico and expand your Dynasty’s reign from the early colonial period to beyond the 21st Century, facing new challenges including advanced trading mechanics, technology and scientific research, as well as cooperative and competitive MULTIPLAYER.

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Tropico 5 system requirements

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7, Windows 8
  • Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core CPU
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GeForce 400 or higher, AMD Radeon HD 4000 or higher, Intel HD 4000 or higher (DirectX 11 hardware support required)
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 4 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX compatible
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TippingGoat
TippingGoat

I'm a fan of the earlier Tropico games and Tropico 4 is much closer to what I want out of a Tropico game than this one. The "eras" feature is nice looking but every era has annoying strings attached and you can't "just play" Tropico 5. For example in the Colonial era there's something called a Mandate and you have to satisfy some requirement or it's just game over for El Presidente. I tried another era and was having a good time with it, then as it looks like WW2 is wrapping up I'm invaded by the Axis for some reason and none of my soldiers seemed to bother fighting back. Game over again. It would be great if all this extra stuff could be turned off so you could run a little banana republic in peace if you wanted to. It isn't explained very well in sandbox mode, it's just there with no options to turn it off.

I did think the feature where you have family members take over was a good idea, but it isn't executed well. For one thing, my character had a daughter, and when she appears in the game she looks like she's the same age as El Presidente, who looks about 85. It's like she was born old. It's a cosmetic thing but was jarring enough to mention. The real issue is that while you can choose who is running for election, there doesn't seem to be any indication of who is more liked as a candidate. So you are basically picking some different stats, and it might affect the outcome of the election? Wouldn't you want to know which person is popular among what groups and make a decision that way?

At least is trying out new ideas, but for a franchise like this it's never a bad idea to include a more familiar vanilla mode or optional setting in sandbox for fans of the older games. The changes don't really hit the mark and it ends up too far from the formula. There's no way to just build a remote little country like earlier Tropico games. I haven't played 6 yet, but I'd recommend skipping this entry.

Dydaco
Dydaco

Exquisite piece of city-building and management. From the mechanics, the missions, the challenges, environment, relations and jokes to political realities and even the music, it all fits perfectly.
Either going through the campaigns or playing in a sandob scenario, the game is always enjoyable.

sarahnorthway
sarahnorthway

I liked 3 or 4 best, but all the Tropico games are great. Solid design. Cynical, ridiculous, borderline problematic humor. This one had the best soundtrack.

Jaytee
Jaytee

After owning this game for many years I still do not understand the weird dual map campaign system or family member system. It's really weird and not explained.

ThkDck
ThkDck

Tropico is one of those games that is just always fun no matter the time of day. I enjoy city builders but Tropico gives me that feel of actually being a leader rather than building a city.

Overlord_Jim
Overlord_Jim

Grew up with sim city. this is just as much fun

Northern Bastard
Northern Bastard

Your sex appeal will go through the roof if you tell your date how you ruled the magical island of Tropico with an iron fist. Tell them how you developed a nuclear program, while achieving strong diplomatic relations around the world. Women like men with confidence, the confidence to lead.

If any of you "UwU egirls" out there come adding me having seen my island-

Too late now bitches, presidente has no time for gold diggers.

Yours sincerely,

Lord Maximus

Somethinng
Somethinng

I am currently hitting the griddy for cuba

Viva Cuba

KevmoTime
KevmoTime

Too many simple quality-of-life features are hidden behind DLC paywalls. Just sell the game for the price it is, do not combine nickel-and-dime with bait-and-switch. I'd have bought this for the full price if honestly marketed from the beginning. But the business model of "get them hooked on a stripped-down version and then charge for simple features" is bad business ethics. And devs' responses in community questions are some "Don't you guys have phones" tone-deaf behavior.

bizarrerottenghost
bizarrerottenghost

Lots of fun can be had by being an overbearing totalitarian dictator of the lowest order, fun, fun, fun, executing enemies of the state.

Happyguy22
Happyguy22

I'm not entirely sure on how to view Tropico 5. It has a lot to be desired, but it is otherwise solid.

I guess overall it's positive, but it's one of those things you pick up once a year, do a playthrough then leave it.

Sgt. Mango
Sgt. Mango

A very disappointing sequel that is inferior in every single aspect that is left over from Tropico 4, and with new mechanics that admittedly does make the game different, but not really in any desirable way.

SamuraiJack
SamuraiJack

Amazing game. Doesn't take itself very seriously but is still very enjoyable. Lots of replay value.

iLoveMyGoat
iLoveMyGoat

Good Game 10/10, Would Play Again

aj_ay_
aj_ay_

such a fun laid back city builder

Mike Frett
Mike Frett

What am I suppose to say? I like games I can play with one hand, like this one. I have version 6 of Tropico but haven't played it yet, I'm trying to justify the huge increase in install size. I mean 2gb vs 11gb...something doesn't add up. I don't believe these types of games need mind-blowing visuals, I mean the original Tropico is just as fun as this one and came on a CD.
I have the Espionage and Waterborne DLC, which seems to be the only two worth buying for this game. Of course I remember a time when a game shipped, it was finished, no need for extra items -- unless you were scamming people. I'll let you hang your hat on that one.

In any case, it's a great game and I recommend it. It does have quirks though. Like, you can have a 90% approval rating and have an uprising -- huh?. Sometimes you have plenty of food, yet people die of starvation -- roll eyes. Those kind of quirks...more like bugs really.

Happy Gaming!

SecretAgentAu
SecretAgentAu

Honestly though, without comparing it to other games in the series, this is a pretty awesome game. The storyline is fun, the game isn't hard (unless you want it to be), and it's a good game to play overall. Plus, the music absolutely slaps. Viva el Presidente!

Johnno
Johnno

A very addictive game. but enjoyable, I wish it was possible to put reminders in when trade routes were near completion.

Snootch
Snootch

Tropico 5 is not a bad game. The problem with it is that it is published by Kalypso, which is a Russian company that is about as infamous as Ubisoft in France, Paradox in Sweden, and EA in America. These companies will produce things quickly, cut corners, hype, and then abandon their products. If there are any problems with their games, then you will just have to wait until the next in the series and hope that the bugs were worked out (and pay another $300 for the base game + all DLC).

Tropico 5 is a city builder and ranks among the Top 10, in my opinion. I think you should get the complete version for $10 if you ever want to, though if you already have Tropico 6, then you can ignore Tropico 5 forever. If you only have Tropico 4 and want to upgrade to Tropico 5, then look for that sale price.

I won't go into too many details here, as the biggest considerations are what I listed above: the publisher and the price. But I will let you know two things that will help you play Tropico 5 should you decide to buy it:

    • There is a fatal bug that occurs if you in any way enable the Communist Revolution to come to your island (a pop-up screen offering the event). Eventually, you will have buildings that are "under attack" (though they are not) and will never have that status removed. This means that you cannot ever again build (or repair) military buildings, because they cannot be constructed whenever an "attack" is going on. So your game will be ruined or at the very best: lame.

    • This game-laming bug will also happen at random moments throughout your game. Sometimes you can save your game by knowing when the bug will hit you (reloading your savegame) by Provoking the Rebels into attacking you. But eventually you will run out of options, and your entire military system will be broken. This is alone is why I do not recommend this game, but I will change my recommendation if it ever gets fixed (which it won't).

    • You will, from time to time, have a savefile corrupted, rendering it unplayable. If you put a lot of hours into it, this will upset you. This can also happen with the Mission Editor - you'll make that perfect map, save it, and then you cannot use it. This happens every so often, and it will never be fixed. So, beware.

Swidgen!
Swidgen!

A good overall game. I really like the sandbox mode. 420 friendly (easy to play and partake at the same time). After nearly 230 hours of play I still enjoy this game.

DLNS
DLNS

This is going to go down as one of the best and most racist games of all time! I congratulate you mr Presidente

d2ana
d2ana

Fun! I played Tropico 4 and then Tropico 5 right in a row this year, and enjoyed both.

pauloel7
pauloel7

Fonzies for shit. If you like to city building, planning, and spirited jokes, this is for ya.

X
X

What can i say ? Its tropico dude.

I love the game as its easy to play and pretty straight forward. Easy for me as in not that complicated to play just to kill some time. Love it !

KyloJ
KyloJ

The game recently got an update that fixed all the issues I had with it. Problems with finances, housing, etc. But now it is perfect.

Notelexxsenob
Notelexxsenob

Played very little of the game. It looked similar to Tropico 4 (I've been playing Tropico since the original) and looks like it is an okay game but has one deal breaker flaw. The graphics are terrible. They are blurry and not an improvement over Tropico 4, nor even the original. And some one commented in a review how annoying the dock sound effect was...absolutely correct...it is very annoying. Graphics alone however caused me to get a refund.

Dasbooby
Dasbooby

Tropico 5 is good but probably the worst one between Tropico 3-5 despite having the most interesting campaign of the 3. The campaign gives you a choice of two islands, you play one, complete that mission, then get a mission and play on the other island. Once you've completed those two missions, you're given another mission and the choice of the two islands again. All of your previous creations are still on those islands but now you're in a more advanced "era" giving you access to new buildings/edicts/research/etc.

Not too much to complain about. Missions typically give you more than enough time to complete them and the game is mostly pretty easy. There is one level, if I recall, where you can be screwed if you don't have an adequate island defense.

Soundtrack is still decent but probably my least favorite of the 3 games.

Decent time overall.

Revan965
Revan965

Not as good as 4 but I'm looking forward to 6

corekako
corekako

Fun and enjoyable playing a dictator

sirkevin7
sirkevin7

Very fun and challenging to be a dictator of tropico. Managing economics, diplomacy, dirty politics, and your people is no easy task but it is a lot of fun!

⚠BIGBOSS
⚠BIGBOSS

Yeah, pretty fun game. Teaches you little bit about managing your economy etc

Mr. Business
Mr. Business

Never have i felt like a powerful dictator until i played this. ENFORCE YOUR TOTALITARIAN REGIME BAYBEEEEE

Rommel
Rommel

[H1]I ʙᴜɪʟᴛ ᴀ ᴄᴀsɪɴᴏ, ᴀ ɴᴜᴄʟᴇᴀʀ ᴡᴇᴀᴘᴏɴ, ᴀ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ ᴘʟᴀɴᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ᴘʀɪsᴏɴ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ.

Sarco Abbas
Sarco Abbas

Had someone killed for objecting to living in a shack next to a sawmill, then arrested his wife and banished his son

warman767
warman767

i like games like this it's fun building stuff and making war and become rich

Anonymous
Anonymous

It's just like Tropico 4. Penultimo's voice has changed ans there's a couple of game playing differences, but other than that same good, clean fun!

RackieChan
RackieChan

Fun to mess around, I wish there were more extensive missions, ones that would last from colonial era and not be able to be finished until modern times. Fun game tho

Its T Hart
Its T Hart

Buy Tropico 4 instead. Just do it.

StrangerDanger [EN]
StrangerDanger [EN]

More challenging that other releases. I think that is the issue some people are having in the reviews. I like the challenge and once you know all the mechanics, this game becomes easy. Get this title if you like a good challenge and won't be tilted when you need to restart because you ignored warning signs or selected constitutions, but neglected to put in counter measures for the consequences of your choices. You don't need to be extremely smart to play this.

davejplatt
davejplatt

If you've played any of the earlier Tropico games then don't bother with this. It's barely any different. In fact in some respects it's worse. Tropico was a great idea for a game. It's a pity that the developers are too lazy to realise that potential. I won't be looking at any future Tropico games.

Esteban AZERTY
Esteban AZERTY

See what the world could be without America and the CIA.

[FB] cool breeze
[FB] cool breeze

the best tropico game at time of writing review, one of the best city-builders ever made

Anonymous
Anonymous

I love this game! It's been my favorite game to play for 6 years. Highly recommend reading everything and you will succeed.

coberloco
coberloco

Pretty fun game, but the big problem is the population cap of about ~2000. Reached that in about 25 hours of playing time. Now I can't progress. Yes, I could start a new game, but that's just replaying the same things. I'd reach it again. Bottom line, if you want a fun game, and don't care if you master it in minimal playing time, sure, get this. But it you want to play more, this one isn't for you.

xX69EdgyDabs420Xx
xX69EdgyDabs420Xx

bad game. bombards you with negative events even on lowest difficulties.

Yamantaka
Yamantaka

Like Sid Meier's Civilization, Tropico is a series I know intimately. While a great series, it has better installments and inferior ones. Tropico V falls into the bottom half of the Tropico games (along with 3) for several reasons. Tropico I and II are fantastic, but Tropico III eliminated the easy-to-see uniforms for every citizen, as well as visible goods on the docks. The curvey road system is an annoying one compared to the old blocky 90 degree roads. Tropico IV was a good improvement, that added no drawbacks but added content that gave depth and fun factor.

Tropico V tries a radical rethink by introducing a terrible tech system, an age system that ultimately handicaps the game and so much combat that it changes the feel of the game. The Devs decided to shovel out a whole whack of DLC content, giving it the most pay-to-play feel of any Tropico to date. Ultimately, its a less fun Tropico and a step back for the series. It wasn't that the new ideas are terrible, but just that their implementation lacked finesse.
I would recommend Tropico IV over V, ignore III altogether and play I and II - if you are a passionate fan. If you've played I, II and IV, then only at the point, Tropico V is probably worth it for you.

radical_chic
radical_chic

Some of the best city-building gameplay out there. A few of the DLCs are worthwhile and really add to what you can do. Also, it's surprisingly smart, from a historical perspective, in that your economy has to grow from a resource economy to an industrial one to a service model.

Lehti
Lehti

Tropico 5 is a good game. Is it worth 20€, or however the DLC are priced? No, wait for it to go on a sale, or if you don't own it yet, maybe look at the newer versions.

If you do happen to own it though, give it a chance! The humor is good, and different campaign scenarios lead to quite different situations, even though the polished core gameplay stays the same.

TheOneCleanHippy
TheOneCleanHippy

A decent city-builder with a fun sense of humor and interesting mechanics. I found them to be a bit clunky at times but enjoyed myself nonetheless.

Meowth
Meowth

Nice upgrade on Tropico 4, but not a lot of changes

luis.casanova.v
luis.casanova.v

It's always fun to be a tropical dictator.

ke4nu7
ke4nu7

fun and learns about governments

Highwayrunner
Highwayrunner

"Tropico 5" is one of the best "Economy Simulation"-Games besides the "Anno-Series".

dumbledude24
dumbledude24

I hope we have a Far East version like the Philppines!

razzorxv9
razzorxv9

Missions are kinda redundant, and research tech is kinda clumsy. Tropico 4 so far best one yet. I also havent tried the sandbox yet in this one.

eradicor
eradicor

Just stick to earlier iterations of the game.

knightofni214
knightofni214

sound track is better than bad piggys

Anonymous
Anonymous

A great fun and at sometimes funny city/empire building game.

neilddavies
neilddavies

A very engaging game, to keep your mind sharp.

Dungeon
Dungeon

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☐ Beautiful
☐ Good
☑ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS

---{ Gameplay }---
☐ Very good
☑ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't

---{ Audio }---
☐ Eargasm
☐ Very good
☐ Good
☑ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf

---{ Audience }---
☐ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☑ Grandma

---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☑ Potato
☐ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☑ Significant brain usage
☐ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls

---{ Grind }---
☐ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☐ Isn't necessary to progress
☑ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding

---{ Story }---
☑ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☐ Good
☐ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life

---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☐ Average
☑ Long
☐ To infinity and beyond

---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☐ Worth the price
☑ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money

---{ Bugs }---
☐ Never heard of
☑ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs

---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☑ 7
☐ 8
☐ 9
☐ 10

Grab this review template here! 👉 https://vojtastruhar.github.io/steam-review-template/

hammertime
hammertime

My third home is on Tropico! Viva el Presidente!

Owl
Owl

When it comes to city building games, this one is a must. There's the sense of humour that will have you chuckling and the disasters which will have you cursing. You can change the difficulty and choose between various game modes like 'sandbox' or 'campaign' etc. To be honest, having the settings on super easy isn't much fun. We all love a challenge.

Krosis
Krosis

Great sequel to a great series. Adding eras gives the game a lot more depth and replay value, some quirks and balance issues of previous games have been fixed, while everything that has always been great about the series - the humour, the relaxing-but-engaging pace, and surprisingly realistic depiction of politics and management (where everything always has unintended consequences) despite the comical style - doesn't disappoint at all. Also, I love the sandbox mode which can now work basically like a random mission with randomly generated objectives.

The only issue: the lack of micromanagement and sometimes dumb worker AI remains unchanged since... at least Tropico 3. Construction workers and teamsters sometimes still work in the most mysterious ways and you cannot manually tell them what to do. Some data should also be more in depth, because sometimes it really can be confusing why people are unhappy or why do you have rebels or disloyal military.

Still, just like with previous games the positives far outweigh the flaws and it's a lot of fun to play whether you just want more of the series, or are trying to get into economic/strategy games.

SCN9A
SCN9A

A survival thriller disguised in strategy.

The joy of this game is that you think you are doing the right thing to be successful but really its only a continuous process of survival. For example, I am attempting to save my population from starvation by importing workers to raise cattle, but then these workers die from starvation or join the rebels. I maybe should try importing food.

10/10 would be el presidente again

Cheddar
Cheddar

Ever seen CGP Grey's "Rules for Rulers"? This is that, but in game form.

Be the best Castro or Pinochet you can be in this epic "banana republic simulator." Build a country, precariously balance your budget and grow your resources while multiple competing interests play tug-of-war with your arms (or possibly with your neck), suppress or corrupt your opponents, fight off rebels and invaders, and put careful consideration into who you want to make deals with. Run your government however you want.

You can have fair elections, have """fair""" elections, or have no elections and keep twice as many soldiers around. You can bash the fash, or harbor their war criminals. You can reform healthcare, redistribute wealth, and legalize gay marriage, contraception and drugs, or build a vacation haven for rich tradcons so the CIA won't poison your milkshake. Or, try to please everyone and most likely end up pleasing noone. It's all in your hands (at least until your palace gets overrun). The choices are abundant, and everything has consequences. I love it.

...Or if you're not up for a challenge, you can just use the Inquisition exploit, make infinite faith-based profits and always have enough money to throw at your problems.

Destron
Destron

Want power? Definitely a way to get it out running your own tropical dictatorship.

Divineheresy
Divineheresy

Dictators mixed with age of empires :)

UsedDentalFloss
UsedDentalFloss

Tropico is always one of those fun games. You're whatever leader you wish to be, make alliances with whomever you want to. Do what you will upon your peoples. My favorite part? The game doesn't take itself, or politics, too seriously. I love a good laugh now and then when playing.

☣ ArKh
☣ ArKh

Top notch city building and micro management strategy game. Tons of fun, great concept and hands down my favourite strategy game of all time

RayofLight
RayofLight

Tropico 4 feels better, 5 is technically the better game, but the systems in 4 are more fun/cleaner/better implemented in terms of gameplay.
Dont get me started on the stupid 2 islands campaign that forces you to carry your 2 islands over, alternating between each of them and since better buildings and stuff are locked, you gotta rebuild them every damn mission. If i gotta rebuild anyways, why not let me build from scratch? Sense it does make not!

corpus_hooper
corpus_hooper

Fun Tropico. New features are good, but some old features I miss.

El coso malo de la muerte
El coso malo d…

Nice comic strategy-management game.
This is how US sees other countries that are not aligned with their "superior moral and economic standards" (AKA colonialism).
If you play this game, play it with an open mind thinking everything is a joke (because its not in real life.)

+ Comic, everyone here is dumb and/or corrupt. Obviously, as the US portraits, latin american/central america countries are the most illiterate, corrupt and easy to manipulate. (just take it as from whom it comes IRL)
+ Nice mechanics, politics, elections, comply or not with people demands, kill/remove oposition, your choice at some point but the game forces you to be corrupt in some way or another. (again, clear reference to regimes with all the possible clichés to "suspiciously" make all possible non-pro-american real life goverments look like regimes)

- A way to brainwash youngsters into believing USA is the rightful owner of the world.
- Just look at it, its a clear Fidel Castro (RIP) reference and nobody said anything. It's america´s way. Bullying other countries and pushing these brainwashers into young people that now believe Castro was a monster.

Spy6 Gagen
Spy6 Gagen

I downloaded tropico 4 and tropico 5 to compare them and tropico 5 removed a lot of features in tropico 4 that make it fun its boring now.

musikaravaa
musikaravaa

play it, play the newer one but play it

koolaidboi999
koolaidboi999

pretty good game like the others

PiaEdinburgh1
PiaEdinburgh1

Tropico 5 is a vast improvement on previous titles in the franchise. It Introduces new eras to the game (colonial, and the world wars) Each era has its own missions, research options, building types, and factions. Gameplay modes include a campaign, sandbox (the best mode), and a multiplayer mode.

Players can write a constitution and edit it throughout the playthrough. (Examples include: allowing everyone to vote, or having mandatory conscription.) The voting system includes an approval rating and an election season, with an eventual election day.

A fun city-builder with a banana republic twist.

For El Presidente! 8/10

Tickle-Feet Pete
Tickle-Feet Pete

Very fun! sits in a nice little niche of city builders.

Reggit
Reggit

Release your inner dictator. Create and rule with an iron fist or just go bananas.

Authorial Intent
Authorial Intent

Sometimes you just need to build sugar and tobacco plantations, export cigars, supply rum to your local taverns, fight off rebels and invaders, and this game scratches that desire nicely in a way other city builders just don't.

FrankTheHealer_(STM)
FrankTheHealer_(STM)

better in most ways to Tropico 4

pmcrell
pmcrell

a very good game. i really enjoy building up a military and then terrorizing the planet and my citizens.