Tropico 5 Walkthrough and Guide

Developed by Haemimont Games and released on a staggered schedule - Microsoft Windows on 23 May 2014, OS X, Linux on September 19, 2014, Xbox 360 on November 11, 2014, and set for the PlayStation 4 at some point in Q3/Q4 2014 - it is the fifth game in the Tropico series.

The game series was originally conceived as a sort of Banana Republic slash Dictator empire building game of the city/country/economics building grinder style of game. As each new addition to the series arrived however, the game focus changed in subtle ways. While it always retained that basic Dictator feel that lets the player experience what it must have been like to be Fidel Castro in the 1970s, its presentation and eventually Multi-Player capabilities have certainly been positive improvements.

Officially listed in the construction and management simulation genres of video games, the launch of Tropico 5 introduced - for the first time in the series history - game features that included cooperative and competitive Multi-Player play for up to four players.

In the new Multi-Player modes the players are able to build cities on the same island, with the choice of working with one another, or against each other. When you factor in the interplay between a fairly complex economy model of industry and manufacturing there are plenty of ways that cities could end up with a blade to each others throats. Just saying.

What sets 5 apart from previous games in the series is its additions to the previous mechanics found in the series. The new island nation boasts four different eras, which permits progress from the 19th century through to the 21st century.

The ruler - affectionately known as El Presidente - has a dynastic family present on the island - think Raul Castro if you are confused - and Multi-Player play that revolves around new and revamped trading, exploration, research, and renovation as well as making use of the natural resources present on the island.

Gamers familiar with the series will already have a pretty good idea of the plot - which is the player taking on the role of the ruler of the country - the Banana Republic that you call home - and managing a variety of industry, resources, and development spanning the eras from the historical foundations of the country through the colonial era, World War I, the Cold War, and beyond.

There exist two superpowers in the world - though depending on the era who they are and what they represent can change. The idea here is that the player plays one off against the other, or aligns with whichever one they think gives the best benefits as they build their island nation and its economy.

Whether that ends up creating a despotism or a democracy is entirely up to El Jefe - or you to put a fine point to it!

While Tropico as a series - and Tropico 5 specifically - have been very well received by the gamer community, gamers who are approaching the game and are new to the genre will find that a guide is often essential to the sort of rapid mastery that leads to quick success - and of course also improves the entertainment value by dispelling certain confusions - which is why we are here!

So hey, settle back, get the feel for your new island nation, and remember that rum is also a blessing!