Tropico 3

Many Years HavE passed since we last took control of a tin-pot dictatorship in the Caribbean. In fact, the first Tropico was released way back in 2001, with the sequel being based around pirates and booty (the doubloons kind of booty, in case you were wondering).

Now Haemimont's second sequel is returning to its roots, with players taking the role of El Presidente, and trying to deal with the problems of violent revolutionaries, corruption and Cold War superpowers muscling in on your activities.

Viva La Revolucion!

You'll need to be mindful of the threat of revolution, with budding Che Guevaras constantly trying to chip away at your popularity and regime. It's up to you how ruthlessly you deal with them.

Romani Itedomum

Religion could prove to be an important part of the game, with a God-fearing populace more willing to follow your lead if you don't set fire to churches and burn priests in anti-Catholic pogroms.

City Life

The major urban centres are always bustling with activity and are superbly eclectic in terms of architecture and design. For example, the contrast between the gilded front of the church and the ramshackle wooden shacks nearby.

Far Cry

The game isn't all urban chaos, of course. There's plenty of wildlife, vegetation and Caribbean sunsets to watch through the palm trees and rustling grassland.

Armed And Dangerous

One way of keeping the population in line is to invest in military facilities and your armed forces. Few citizens will want to demonstrate against you after receiving a healthy dose of tear gas.

Sunset Boulevard

Tropico3 is looking colourful and exuberant. Whether the humour of the previous games is still present remains to be seen, but at the moment we're pleasantly surprised by how things are shaping up.