“…fresh and exhilarating in exactly the way that you would hope…”
To date, Tropico 6’s array of DLC offerings has been relatively reserved for the franchise. With but a handful of releases to speak of, albeit with a classically common thread of llama themes, the release of the latest package, Spitter, is something of an event for fans of El Presidente’s exploits. Bringing a social media swing to the isle of Tropico for the first time in its established history, Spitter mimics a similarly-named social platform from the real world and finally puts celebrities in the spotlight. Please the popular people visiting your paradise, and the possibilities for Presidente’s power and prosperity are positively prodigious! Who knew the letter P had so much potential!
Spitter certainly added something to the experience of playing Tropico. More specifically, it turned my focus away from the usual trade and citizen happiness side of the game and led me to focus almost entirely on tourism. For me, tourism was a largely ignored aspect of the game, unless an objective specifically required me to do something with it. Given the wealth of tourism options available in the game and the fascinating system which this element of Tropico 6 provides, it seems crazy to me now that I had ignored it for so long. Nevertheless, if even part of the development concept behind Spitter was to get players on board with the tourism mechanics of the game then it has very much succeeded.
Spitter gets you on board initially by getting you to attract a celebrity to Tropico. Through a combination of attractiveness and social media manipulations, celebs such as Elon Gates (that is a real example) may choose to move to Tropico and provide some discernible benefit, as well as helping you to attract other tourists provided that you can keep them happy. Funny and different as the celebrity part of Spitter is, though, it is also perhaps the least exciting factor of the DLC package. It is small in terms of impact and relatively uninteresting compared to some of the more obvious and interactive new additions to the game.
A highlight of Spitter is of course the in-game Spitter app itself. Over time, representatives of Tropico’s various factions and celebrities alike will Spit on Spitter to broadcast their views on given topics. El Presidente can then respond either in agreement or otherwise; but there’s a twist. Each option will have a positive impact for one faction but a negative impact for another. This makes Spitter not only a fun and interesting part of the game but also a critical one. Although the impacts of your Spits are small compared to edicts and completing objectives, these little changes in support can have a big impact on your approvals. Indeed, Spitter quickly feels so integrated into the main Tropico package that it is strange to think that it has not been there all along. A very strong, albeit simple, new feature for the game.
By far the best way to experience the new elements added in the Spitter DLC is through the new in-game mission. The mission is heavily tourism focussed and quickly makes you feel comfortable with all the new features and indeed structures added to the game. The new Super Villa allows you to provide permanent homes to celebrity immigrants, whilst the rehab centre and beauty farm attract the filthy rich citizens which you will need on your island to complete a number of the scenario’s objectives. Coupled with a new archipelago map which divides your tourist regions and your citizens’ homes and workplaces, Spitter has you playing into the hands of the class divide on Tropico. It is an interesting standpoint to have to take and is in contrast to the ordinarily heavily communist-focussed message of the game. El Presidente’s new narcissist trait, however, helps you fit this new role perfectly. With an inability to address problems during election speeches, the leader of the country feels all too comparable at times to certain major world leaders outside Tropico, too…
Whilst it is easy to look at the cost of Spitter and question the value for money, the proof really is in the pudding for this Tropico DLC. I had a fantastic time playing with features I had previously ignored, supported by Spitter’s new additions which made them all the more interesting to exploit. Playing the game from a completely different perspective to normal felt fresh and exhilarating in exactly the way that you would hope any DLC package would. For players who have enjoyed all that the main game has to offer, Spitter is an easy recommendation!
The ‘Spitter’ DLC for Tropico 6 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Get the Spitter DLC for Tropico 6 here all versions: https://www.kalypsomedia.com/uk/1041/tropico-6-spitter/pc/steam-version
This Review is based on the PS4 version of the game.
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Tropico 6 Spitter DLC
It’s all about the fame and prestige. Nobody knows this better than a self-declared despot...uh, statesman, such as El Presidente. Tropico 6’s second DLC skyrockets you into the world of stardom and illustriousness. Interact with superstars by using Spitter, the only short message social networking app officially approved by the Tropican Ministry for Modern Communications & Smoke Signals. Court the stars to gain their support, unlock their individual strengths and in turn receive even more respect and adulation from your subjects. But beware - fame and money can also attract some seriously shady types… At the heart of the DLC is the new Spitter mechanic, which allows you to interact with celebrities and faction leaders to increase your standing. Use new buildings like the Rehab Center or Beauty Farm to attract celebrities and make them permanent citizens of Tropico. Plus, enjoy even more new content with three new music tracks, additional customization items and a new trait for El Prez.
Product Currency: GBP
Product Price: 7.49
Product In Stock: SoldOut
4.5
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