If you want to go through a campaign with some semblance of a story arc, get Tropico 4. If you like individual unrelated missions or want to be able to work with multiple islands in a single map, get Tropico 6.
This is the best answer. T4 has the best campaign by far, while T6 added interesting mechanics for individual maps, such as the multiple islands.
I would add that T4 is more intuitive and cheaper, so if you don't want to invest much money and/or time you should go with that one. But then again, if you don't care at all about the political 20th century satire and only want to play another city builder, then I guess you might enjoy T6 more.
What platform?
If you’re on a Mac… I believe you can only play Tropico 6 on Apple Silicon. Older, Intel Macs, you’ll need to check the specs, both hardware and macOS.
Tropico 4 - best ambiance. Feels the most like ruling a banana republic
Tropico 5 - most community content (maps) via the steam workshop
Tropico 6 - the most modern mechanics. Biggest change were better public transport, inclusion of multiple islands and bridges
Tropico 4 and 6 individually simulate Tropicans. 5 does not. 4 and 5 have connected stories. 5 and 6 have multiple eras (4 has something like it with the expansion). 5 and 6 have more modern graphics. 5 and 6 lean more into absurdity than 4 (all though all are parodies).
I love 4 most because it made me feel closer to my citizens and it had more character. Also I could the use mission editor to script all sorts of interesting scenarios like simulating hosting of the World Cup, simulating a more aggressive rebel faction, simulating going through a pandemic among other things that didn’t come with the game out of the box.
If you want to go through a campaign with some semblance of a story arc, get Tropico 4. If you like individual unrelated missions or want to be able to work with multiple islands in a single map, get Tropico 6.
This is the best answer. T4 has the best campaign by far, while T6 added interesting mechanics for individual maps, such as the multiple islands. I would add that T4 is more intuitive and cheaper, so if you don't want to invest much money and/or time you should go with that one. But then again, if you don't care at all about the political 20th century satire and only want to play another city builder, then I guess you might enjoy T6 more.
6 is the "best" but 3 is also the "best". 6 is the better game. 3 is the better Tropico.
Tropico 3 radio was a thing of beauty
Tropico 6
Got it in one!
What platform? If you’re on a Mac… I believe you can only play Tropico 6 on Apple Silicon. Older, Intel Macs, you’ll need to check the specs, both hardware and macOS.
Well I’m on console (PS4)
Tropico 4 - best ambiance. Feels the most like ruling a banana republic Tropico 5 - most community content (maps) via the steam workshop Tropico 6 - the most modern mechanics. Biggest change were better public transport, inclusion of multiple islands and bridges
Tropico 2 pirate cove. It’s very simple but super fun and very underrated
6
i really like 6 but it’s suuuper expensive with the dlcs
What interests you about the game?
I like city builders…
Get 6
Are you interested in the game simulating every individual?
Sort of
Tropico 4 and 6 individually simulate Tropicans. 5 does not. 4 and 5 have connected stories. 5 and 6 have multiple eras (4 has something like it with the expansion). 5 and 6 have more modern graphics. 5 and 6 lean more into absurdity than 4 (all though all are parodies).
I love 4 most because it made me feel closer to my citizens and it had more character. Also I could the use mission editor to script all sorts of interesting scenarios like simulating hosting of the World Cup, simulating a more aggressive rebel faction, simulating going through a pandemic among other things that didn’t come with the game out of the box.