Developer Kalypso Media is preparing to take players back to their digital banana republic in Tropico 5. The studio announced today that it is working on the game now and plans to release it in 2014 for PC, Mac, and Xbox 360.
Tropico is a government-level management game set in a banana republic-like island nation. It puts players in the role of El Presidente, who must decide what is best for his island nation.
Previous games had El Presidente deciding between siding with the capitalist United States or the communist U.S.S.R. This time around, Kalypso is adding a mode that will take players through history. Gamers can begin their reign during colonial times and guide the nation through the World Wars, the Cold War, and into the future. Another major addition to the game is online multiplayer. Up to four players can compete against one another or work cooperatively on the same island.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dY2S5uKKT0?feature=player_detailpage]
Tropico 5 also introduces El Presidente’s extended family. Players can appoint these relatives to important positions like ambassador or general. They will gain special skills that improve their performance. Kalypso plans to tweak many of the franchise’s other systems as well. It will improve the trading mechanic, the research system, and the game’s visuals.