Review – Tropic 6 (Nintendo Switch Edition)
After checking out the other console versions when they released in 2019, I’ve been checking out the new release of Tropico 6 here on Nintendo Switch, thanks to the folks at Kalypso Media. With beautiful archipelagos, sun-kissed beaches, facsist militias and just about everything dictator, find our full review here, alongside the usual common sense parent’s guide.
The Basics
The latest entry into the Tropico franchise has been released on other consoles and PC for around a year and a half. The Nintendo Switch version brings this over to the portable platform pretty well, and manages to retain the title’s functionality and decent performance with an expected notable drop in visuals.
Tropico 6 sees you once again taking the mantle of El Presidente. Alongside your possibly too loyal aide Penultimo, you’ll act as either feared dictator of this tropical paradise, or a peace loving statesman. Of course you can also blend these in pretty much any way you like, as long as you manage to hold onto power.
This is another decent title for fans of real-time strategic management. You’ll need to keep a handle on production, construction, politics, trade, military and more as you aim to bring your island nation into whatever century you happen to be in.
As well as the usual management options, you’ll have to keep a close eye on politics to keep your hand on the big red button. The stats here are pretty expansive, with a number of different factions, broken down into different supporters who you’ll need to persuade to vote for you when the big day comes around.
You can do this either by somehow managing to fulfil every little need they may have, or using bribery, reeducation, arrest or even assassination in order to ensure El Presidente is the only name on the ballot
Parent’s Eye View
Tropico 6 is rated by PEGI at 16 and above, and by the ESRB at T for Teen. This is based on a few things, though the PEGI warning seems to centre mostly around violence. Violence within the title does play a part, with rebels attacking various buildings, but with ranged combat and no blood for me it’s not really something you need to pay too much attention to.
There are other elements however which you may pay a little more attention to, with drug references and some relatively mild language. One other element to consider is the fact that as leader you are able to order assassinations. Overall, it’s one which I wouldn’t completely rule out, but would say deserves a little consideration of the elements before sending the micro-bandits into.
Accessibility
For accessibility Tropic 6 is picking up a score of high-level. There are a decent number of difficulty options to suit most players, but Tropico 6 does have an awful lot of management requirements that need to be kept on top of. If you don’t play this fairly regularly, if you’re anything like me, you’ll find it hard to remember the huge amount of management required through various areas of the game in order to make your islands a success. There are, a good number of tutorials available to help you learn the basics, but the fact that there are so many separate tutorials also lets you know how much there will be to remember
The Run Down
Visuals – Lacking: As with most Switch ports, visuals are where you’ll see the only real difference when compared with the other platforms. When you’re up high with Tropico 6 on Switch things look pretty great, and the cutscenes really surprised me. Early on here, things look great, but sadly when you get down close to the ground, the models and edges really are quite basic.
In terms of performance, the visuals are great, and I’ve had no frame rate drops or issues. While there definitely has to be a little give and take when moving to Nintendo’s portable platform, there’s been a little too much give here when you get up close and personal.
Audio – Great: The voice acting within Tropico 6 has been absolutely superb, and the music is also very well executed. The soundtrack is very much in keeping with the themes of the title, and huge bonus points here as even when left on one screen for some time, it manages to not be repetitive
Narrative – Good: It’s not war and peace, but there’s a nice little narrative running through the campaign mode. Told mostly through the various missions which you’ll find, your growing relationship with Penultimo and your acquisition of the island weaves itself nicely around the gameplay
Replay – Great: As well as a large number of tutorials to really get you into the game, and in addition to a good number of campaign missions which will take some time to get through, the title also comes with a sandbox. There are a great number of islands to conquer, and enough to draw you in here
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The Verdict
Overall the Pixel Bandits Si, Presidente Level for Tropico 6 on nintendo Switch is that you’ll likely find it Enjoyable . I’ve had a great time with this title, but it is one which needs some decent investment. It’s another one which is punching a little under par with it comes to visuals, even considering the portable platform. There are also some extended load times, which can feel a little too long when you’re waiting to get in some fast and furious dictatorship avtion. Even with that in mind though it’s very playable here, and if you have the time to invest and are a fan of the genre, it’s one which you should look at getting at some point.
