“Espionage is the perfect DLC to improve your Tropico experience…”
Just when you thought Waterborne was a solid expansion for Tropico 5, the developers come out to prove that you haven’t seen the best just yet. Espionage, however, may be just that. Adding some genuinely game-changing new mechanics to Tropico 5, Espionage offers the thrill of the spy life for you to add to your game. I feel that this is certainly the best DLC to be released for the game yet, and this is why…
Tropico 5 has always been lacking on the military front, and without a huge overhaul it would be pretty impossible to improve it enough to do a proper job. Changing the focus and dynamics of how the military gameplay unfolds however is a clever alternative by the developers, and this is exactly what they have done here. Espionage adds spying mechanics to the game, which can be utilised for both domestic and foreign purposes. On the one hand, security checkpoints, police blimps, dungeons, spy academies and the Ministry of Information could be used to identify any opposition on the Tropican islands and enforce security at home. On the other hand, some of these new structures along with others such as mechanized garrisons can also help defend against external threats. In short, the DLC overhauls the ways in which you can manage Tropico’s security.
The new spying mechanics can be used across the game on sandbox mode, as well as the further four maps which the package introduces too. To set you up with the knowhow for how to do this properly however, you might want to follow the six-mission campaign that is included first. The engrossing story of The Maltese Toucan holds all of the usual charm and comedy of Tropico’s storytelling, and puts the new espionage features to good use. Teaching you how to catch criminals on your island and how to spy on and swindle the other superpowers of the world, the new story in exciting and insightful, and potentially even reveals some of the secrets of how governments operate in the real world… Not leaving out the customary spy clichés all the while, there is plenty to enjoy in the Espionage campaign.
In case you are not quite convinced that there is enough on offer here to justify your purchase, don’t forget that Tropico DLC’s never forget to butter you up with some sweeteners too. Spy-themed customisations are on offer for your dynasty members this time, including a sweet Tuxedo and a mean “Spy Hat” as the game calls it. You do of course get your additional soundtrack expansion too, which as ever makes a delightful addition to Tropico’s already well constructed music score.
If you are yet to purchase any Tropico 5 DLC for lack of a convincing package then look no further. Espionage is the perfect DLC to improve your Tropico experience and to genuinely enhance your game. It is easy to recommend this spy themed expansion to both the casual or more hardcore Tropico fan with features that will fundamentally improve your experience no matter how you choose to play.
The Good:
- Game changing new mechanics add additional security features and an intricate spy network to the Tropico experience.
- Change the way you play on both a home and international scale with the DLC’s new buildings and gameplay enhancements.
- An exciting new campaign both teaches you how to use your new features and is genuinely exciting to play in its own right.
- The traditional entertainment of the Tropico series shines through in this package.
- Some awesome new dynasty member items and additional soundtrack tunes sweeten the deal.
The Bad:
- The military mechanics of the game as a whole are not given the much needed attention that they require, with a different focus having been opted for instead.
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