Tropico 5 is the thirteenth game from the Bulgarian studio Haemimont Games and the third installment in this series. Tropico 5 is a humorous city-building simulator featuring a storyline campaign, additional scenarios, and multiplayer.
The game is built on an upgraded proprietary engine of the studio, which, while preserving the basic gameplay elements, has improved the graphics and color scheme. However, the new engine version is still at the beginning of its journey, and the developers have not yet managed to add realistic weather conditions and disasters, only recording videos of them.
The storyline campaign consists of 15 missions, where the player once again steps into the role of El Presidente and must transform their islands into a true paradise with clean rivers and crowds of tourists, or into a brutal industrial dictatorship behind an iron curtain. As in Tropico 4, the player creates their avatar character, but now they can only choose one positive trait for them.
A feature of the campaign is that the developers did not create a new island for each episode. All 15 missions utilize only four islands, each of which the player can develop from mission to mission without fear that their achievements will be erased when the next episode begins.
To enhance the economy in Tropico 5, managers have been introduced – the best specialists on the island, who can be appointed to lead workplaces and service buildings. Each manager will have their distinct properties that they will provide to the building or surrounding area. Some will increase production profitability, others will reduce costs, some will find new resources, and others will ensure that residents of nearby houses receive beauty bonuses, etc.
If desired, relatives of the player's avatar can be sent to serve as managers – members of their dynasty. They can also run for elections instead of the player character, while the player can be sent to work in production. The selected enhancing traits of family members can be upgraded, using money from a Swiss bank account – illegally earned money by the player.
In addition to the standard types of currency, Tropico 5 introduces so-called research points. These are produced in scientific institutions: libraries, observatories, etc. These points are used to develop new technologies. Technologies unlock access to new buildings, upgrades, new decrees, and open new chapters in the constitution.
The constitution is a new type of decree in the country that lasts indefinitely, is given for free, influences the attitude of various parties toward the player, and establishes political norms both within and outside the country. With each new era in Tropico 5, one page of the constitution will open, featuring three available mandatory decrees.
As the new island nation ages, more events occur around it. To reflect this, the developers created four temporal epochs, transitioning into which unlocks new decrees, new chapters of the constitution, and pushes the campaign narrative further. The player initially starts as the governor of a colonial nation, but later can declare independence and enter the World War era. This will be followed by the Cold War, culminating in modern times, where the most advanced technologies and buildings will be available.
The game’s multiplayer allows for collaborative city-building across one island. Up to four players can develop their cities simultaneously, cooperating or engaging in conflict.
The PC version of the game received an average score of 74/100 on Metacritic, and the publisher Kalypso Media stated it has the best sales launch in the series.
In Russia, the game was fully translated into Russian and voiced.
The Steam version features 50 achievements and the ability to collect trading cards.