Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 76 | 16 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 75 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 79% | 73 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 71 | 18 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 85% | 78 | 8 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 23 reviews sampled · 16 total reviews in window · weighted 14.7 up / 2.6 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (79)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 60
“The new Tropico can be recommended only to those who aren't familiar with the series. For everyone else (especially for fans of this tropical dictatorship) buying Tropico 5 will be a missed investment - the developers are offering the same bottle of rum with a different label. It's still the same good, old Tropico - without significant changes in gameplay, flawed merchant routes system, technical issues and the addition of a multiplayer mode.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“It's passable and functional, but doesn't elevate the franchise or add the magic that'll bring El Presidente to a wider audience. It is what it is: Another evolution in a franchise that needs a revolution.”
read full review ↗ - 68
“The end result is a good game that is held back by the very thing strategists come to this genre for: the freedom to use your own planning and tactics to win the game.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The developers at Haemimont Games have taken their series apart and reassembled it in a whole new way, and while the result is riddled with flaws, it's also charming, funny, and welcoming to newcomers and veterans alike. As aimless steps away from stagnation go, that's a pretty solid one.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Tropico 5 is a real treat, and not just because it's something a little bit different. The game's sharp sense of humour tallies well with its accessible yet intricate economical action, and while it's always likely to be an acquired taste, we're hoping that it sparks a swell of console construction games. If you're even the slightest bit intrigued, you should give this a go. And just so that we're clear: that's an order.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Fives games in and the Tropico series has really found its feet, creating a cheery and relaxing ambience that sets it quite apart from other city-builders out there. From the music to the bright and colourful graphics and the irreverent wit of your various staff, it's got a very unique character that makes the simple gameplay very addictive.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“I really enjoyed my time with Tropico 5. As a total package, it's a great starting point for new players. Gameplay mechanics like diplomacy have been simplified, so it's pretty easy to understand for newcomers. It'll help to have some working knowledge of similar sim titles, but even without that background, the campaign does a great job of easing you into the basic functions of city-building. The simplification isn't always in the best interest of the game, as I found when attempting to stave off exports of much-needed resources. While trade routes are a great addition, not being able to have direct control over which goods I export and import was often problematic. Issues like this are few and far between with Tropico 5, making it an overall positive and very fun experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A solid, accessible city builder, Tropico 5 gets out of the way and lets you have the fun you came for without pissing around in fiddly details.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Tropico 5 features a number of improvements to its long-standing formula and there's a lot here to like. The humour and in-fighting of your aides provides a lighter tone missing from other management sims, and there's a degree of satisfaction to be found progressing through the distinct eras. It also looks more vibrant than any previous entry. It works well for now, then, but Tropico 5 is clearly more concerned with introducing new concepts atop the old than it is with overhauling its base mechanics. Looking ahead to the future, this long-running series would benefit from having the fires of revolution lit beneath it.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Tropico 5's irreverent wit and smooth difficulty curve make governing your own banana republic an easy and enjoyable experience.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“I'm just going to state the obvious to round things up: this is basically Tropico 4.5. There simply isn't enough variation from the previous game to justify its development, let alone the full price tag, so I simply cannot score it too highly. Yet, as mentioned, I can happily recommend Tropico 5 as a game in and of itself. For newcomers to the series the inclusion of multiplayer, the eras system and some decent general balancing work make this the best iteration of Tropico yet. For series fans however, it'll be difficult to see past the lack of innovation. In all likelihood though, like me you'll still have a great time playing it, and isn't that what's most important?”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Tropico 5 really wants you to win the hearts of your people as dictator. Well, maybe a little.”
read full review ↗
GRYOnline.pl
VGChartz
Cubed3
Push Square
GameWatcher
Worth Playing
The Escapist
Eurogamer
GameSpot
GameGrin
GameSkinny…and 67 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Tropico 5 Update 1.10+ Hotfix 2 now available!Sep 10, 2015
- Tropico 5 Update 1.10+ Hotfix 2 now available!Sep 10, 2015
- Steam Workshop Hotfix now live!Sep 1, 2015
- Steam Workshop Hotfix now live!Sep 1, 2015
- Tropico 5 Update 1.09 available!Mar 25, 2015
- Tropico 5 Update 1.09 available!Mar 25, 2015
- Tropico 5 Update 1.08 available!Dec 16, 2014
- Tropico 5 Update 1.08 available!Dec 16, 2014
- Tropico 5 Update 1.03 ChangelogJun 18, 2014
- Tropico 5 Update 1.03 ChangelogJun 18, 2014
- Tropico 5 Update 1.02 Available!Jun 10, 2014
- Tropico 5 Update 1.02 Available!Jun 10, 2014