The Wargamer

Author:  Jim Zabek

¡Ay caramba! 

No.  That doesn’t get the point across.

¡Ay caramba! 

There.  That’s better.

Why am I feeling so muy tranquilo?  What could be better?  The sun is shining, the cerveza is cold, and I’m in charge of my own banana republica.  Life doesn’t get much better.  In fact, games like Tropico 3 are the reason I love gaming. 

My island near the start and end of my reign.

That’s right.  I said it.  Normally previews are circumspect.  Normally we hold back some judgment pending a final version because, well, you never know how the final version will turn out.  That’s all true, but one overriding fact stands out about the preview I’ve been playing for the last few days:  I can’t stop playing Tropico 3.

I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed playing a preview of a game as much as I have Tropico 3.  Tropico 3 is a better game as a preview than some patched retail copies I’ve bought.  Seriously.  Many a time have I plunked down hard cash for less stabile, less enjoyable games than Tropico 3.

Catchy quotes from petty dictators pepper the splash screens.

It would be easy to dive into the mixed history of the franchise and talk about how great the original Tropico game was, how disastrous Tropico 2 was, and how I never played the Paradise Island expansion.  But the fact is, it’s been seven years since Tropico first blew on to the gaming scene like an island hurricane, and it’s been far too long since I’ve been without an update to it.

Tropico 3 is an update more than a sequel for the franchise.  The developers appear to have lovingly crafted the game in the same image of the original, with improvements to graphics, sound, and gameplay.  My memory is a bit faded; it’s been years since I last saw a tropical sunset on my screen.  But to my faded memory, Tropico 3 plays very similarly to the original.  At its heart Tropico 3 is an economic and political simulator.  A deceptively attractive game that can trick the gamer with its sleek graphics, sardonic humor, and festive music – but it is a hard core strategy game underneath the good looks and charm. 

The superpowers weigh in on my management style...

The player’s main task is to attempt to balance the needs of various political factions on his island against economic development, a limited budget, and stereotypical intrigue one associates with a caricature of the quintessential banana republic. 

Choices for my next move in the campaign game.

There are several modes of play – all single-player.  There is a sandbox mode, where the player chooses a leader, chooses an island, and plays the game through 30 years of development (if he can last that long).  There is a campaign game where the player begins on one island developing a banana exporting business.  Once that game is won it unlocks several other islands to play on.  Each leader and island is unique.  Leaders brings different strengths and weaknesses: some get bonuses for building infrastructure, but take on a political handicap with environmental or Communist factions.  Others enjoy good relations with the political left but struggle keeping up ties with religious or capitalist political factions.  Like the original game, many of the political leaders are molded after real life leaders of banana republics, and range from Manuel Noriega and Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier to custom created leaders and fictional ones like my own favorite, Voodoo Pizzaman. 

Part of the difficulty of an island is what can be grown on it.  Clearly this one is better suited to grow tobacco than sugar.

Difficulty in the game is determined by the island chosen; some have more resources than others and the geography can be a real challenge.  The type of leader the player chooses is also important, as each does some things well while bringing their own brand of ineptitude to other aspects of the game.

Difficulty is set by selecting an island and a leader.  Notice one of the negative traits and its impact.

The graphics are of a high quality – certainly up to the task of carrying the spirit of the game.  The music…all I have to say is that I know who I’d like to hire as the DJ for my next party.  Every tune in the game has an upbeat tropical sound.  I speak just enough Spanish to appreciate the various songs about pretty girls, cold beer, and how they ought to mix through the evenings.  If I could ask for one thing it would be more music to listen to in the game and the ability to buy it for my iPod when I’m not gaming.  I love it.  All I want to do is play Tropico 3, break out my Caribbean spices to make jerked chicken, and listen to la musica. 

My, what difficult decisions we have to make for our banana republic!

Oh, sure, playing the game is challenging.  I played four or five games before I actually won one.  But even losing I was feeling good.  Tropico 3 is pure fun.  There’s nothing like running a banana republic where you have the choice to rig elections, knock off political opponents, jail dissidents, build giant cigar factories, and export papayas while pocketing some money for your Swiss bank account.  If you can’t have fun playing Tropico 3 then you don’t know what fun is.  This is hard-core strategy gaming at its very best.  Gamers have been waiting for this for years.  Amigo, it’s good to see you again! 

My first win.  Barely.  Relations with both superpowers are horrible and note the huge debt I leave behind.