Tropico 2: Pirate Cove

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In general, Tropico can be called one of the most popular series of economic strategies. It has never been notable for stunning graphics and scale, but it definitely has an identity. Tropico 2: Pirate Cove is built according to the classic scheme, which has been unchanged for the series for decades. You are the ruler of an island lost in the Caribbean Sea. You have to build your own corner of paradise on earth, adapting to the harsh natural, political and social conditions.

At the beginning of the game you have the necessary minimum: a small island, a couple dozen inhabitants, start-up capital, which is enough for several household buildings and… Unlimited, almost divine power. You can be a wise ruler, working for the benefit of the population, or a greedy dictator, who fills his wallet at the expense of obedient workers.

The main campaign is divided into missions, in which you must fulfill certain conditions within a certain period of time. At the end of the passage you get prize points and, if you’re lucky, a bronze, silver or gold medal. As you go through the missions, you learn how to effectively use the game tools and gradually imbued with the spirit of freedom and permissiveness.

There are three categories of inhabitants on the island. Pirates are your main helpers. They will go on raids, perform dangerous tasks, ruin neighboring settlements and bring the treasury is not quite legal, but a significant income. However, they are of little use on land. These fellows prefer to entertain themselves in bars and revelries, play cards, and spend the gold they have earned.

The main work on the island is done by the civilian population. They are obedient workers who work on farms, construct buildings, harvest resources, and work in the service industry. Their skills are not always sufficient for certain types of work. In this case the brave pirates come to the rescue, who can capture specialists during sea voyages. Alternatively, the necessary employee can be ordered for money. Unlike other parts of Tropico, there is no natural population growth in Pirate Cove. New residents come to the island as prisoners or shipwreck victims.

The third category is rich prisoners. You can get a good ransom for them. They will not work for you, and stay on the island of wealthy citizens brighten up in the bars and cabarets. Do not forget about the indignant foreigners, who will periodically arrange a military showdown off the coast of your island. Defensive constructions will help you deal with them.

A well-built policy that takes into account the interests of all segments of the population will be the key to victory. Civilians need food and relative safety. It’s important for pirates to maintain a decent level of entertainment, otherwise they’ll revolt and go in search of a better life. Natural resources are needed to make ships and build them, and someone has to mine them. Your main task is to find the perfect balance between the many economic and social indicators.

A huge plus of all parts of Tropico is the chic gameplay atmosphere. Despite the rather sparse graphics, the game captures and does not let go. And the light background music and some of the sidekick phrases will follow you around for a long time in real life.

Year released 2003
Genre Urban Building Simulator