Tropico 5

Push SquareSammy Barker

8/10

Back when Bullfrog was considered a big name, construction games were all the rage. The likes of Theme Park and Theme Hospital were among the most popular releases on the PSone, but as the genre increased in complexity on computers, these console ports became increasingly less common. Tropico 5, then, is something of a rarity: a simulation series somehow already on its fifth instalment, but making its PlayStation debut. As a result, El Presidente's antics will be all-new to many of you – but does this outing rule with an iron fist?

DestructoidRobert Summa

8/10

While Tropico 5 isn’t the game-of-the-year masterpiece of a generation, it’s a more-than serviceable sim and strategy title that can satisfy a grossly under-served genre within the console community. If you love SimCity and Civilization and are dying for something similar on your PS4, then there really is no reason not to have and enjoy this game to its fullest extent.

Dialing the difficulty up also provides a real test of anyone’s management abilities. So look past the satirical elements of Tropico 5. The humour is there, and it’s funny, but the real strength of this series – especially with Sim City falling off the map completely in recent years – is that it plays so, so well.

Game SkinnyLandon Sommer

8/10

Tropico 5 really wants you to win the hearts of your people as dictator. Well, maybe a little.

IGNRob Zacny

7.2/10

There is a lot that I like about Tropico 5, and it will probably hold my interest far longer than Tropico 4 did. But at the same time, it's rough edges are a continual annoyance. The larger issue is that while Tropico 5 definitely introduces some new challenges and ideas, it's still a dangerously simple city-builder. That's always a threat with this genre: a well-run city doesn't really require much from you. But Tropico doesn't give me enough reasons to keep playing once I've finished the tech tree and reached the end.

Metro GameCentralRoger Hargreaves

7/10

On the PC there are too few new features to satisfy existing fans, but on the PlayStation 4 the joys of being an island dictator still feel enjoyably fresh.

VGChartzVGChartz Staff

6.8/10

Dan takes a look at the latest game in the long running Dictator simulator series, TropicoTropico 5 is the latest dictator strategy game from Kalypso Studios. Having become such a storied series, you [...]

GamingTrendJay Malone

65/100

Despite its issues, the Tropico series has always managed to be a lovable one. This go around, Tropico 5 continues to have some annoying problems that need to be addressed. The controls are disappointing, the story mode is awful, and some other nagging issues persist. Despite that, it continues to remain a ton of fun when you are building a civilization and watching your group of citizens prosper alongside yourself. However, unnecessarily difficult enemies squander that fun too many times. Tropico 5 is a game you want to love, but disappointing mechanics become a problem in the relationship th...

GameSpotBrett Todd

5/10

Walking on the water.

GameWatcherNick Horth 2

0/10

Fives games in and the Tropico series has really found its feet, creating a cheery and relaxing ambience that sets it quite apart from other city-builders out there. From the music to the bright and colourful graphics and the irreverent wit of your various staff, it’s got a very unique character that makes the simple gameplay very addictive. Okay, so it holds your hand a little too much, and combat is a bit dull, but it’s certainly the high point of the series so far. A very good city ma...

Worth PlayingDustin Chadwell

Unscored

Packed with a whole host of new gameplay features and all new artwork designed from scratch, Tropico 5 takes the city-builder series into a new and exciting direction – dynasties!

Rock Paper ShotgunAlec Meer

Unscored

There are some bum notes both tonally and strategically, Tropico old hands will find the bones of the things over-familiar, and despite having tons of things to fiddle with ultimately it's hard not call it a lightweight game. I really think it has to be, though.