Tropico 4

I've spent far too long today delving into this sim-building game. If you've played Tropico 3(the only one I've played) it's very similar to that design. This is a game like Sim City, Rome: Civ, Caesar and many other games. Tropico 4 has more elements to it than any of the other three previously mentioned sim building games. You not only manage civilian operations, but you also have to deal with revolts, uprisings, elections, politics, world wide diplomacy and trade. Tropico 3 was a good game, but it was a little too slow and boring for most people (especially at the start). Tropico 4 still isn't the most exciting game at the start, but once it gets going it get pretty addictive and interesting.

Every level takes place on a island, of varying sizes and resources. There are multiple types of farms and certain types need to build in specific climates and elevations. You have an almanac that makes it easy to keep track of your peoples happiness, trade, diplomacy, income and most everything all in one place. The UI has been generally improved upon from Tropico 3 and all of the menu's seem to flow smoothly. I love that many buildings have several options to them, whether its upgrading them with accessories or choosing what their main focus is. Trying to balance between all the factions and countries is more fun than difficult, Communist all the way right? Whoever you end up supporting the most, ends up supporting you the most financially during the good and the bad times.