Tropico 4: Gold Edition is the fourth main entry in the Tropico series, and places players in control of a customizable dictator named 'El Presidente'. The game combines elements of city management and political simulators, appealing to fans of games like SimCity, Civilization and Nation States.

Benevolent or Evil Dictator?

As the dictator of an island republic, the player has freedom to rule over society in a number of different ways, including operating as an evil and oppressive dictator, or acting instead as a benevolent figure. Both options are viable, but requires different approaches to how money is spent and how the island is developed. Some of the game's best moments come when the player interacts with advisers, many of whom are based on real-life figures, and these, combined with the Tropico News Today radio station, inject a sense of humor into the experience.

Main Campaign and Expansion

The game's main campaign mode spans across 20 different missions, with the player making political and management decisions, dealing with factions and attempting to retain control over the population. Moreover, Tropico 4: Gold Edition includes the Modern Times expansion, which is a separate single-player campaign, taking place after the events that occur in the main game, essentially functioning as end-game content.