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Cut down mountains at will! Hands-on with “Tropico 7,” where even nature obeys the dictator—legislature adds new depth to tyranny

Dictatorship Accelerates Even Further Through Land Alteration and the Legislative System!

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If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further
If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further
  • If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further
  • If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further
  • If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further
  • If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further
  • If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further
  • If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further
  • If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further
  • If a mountain gets in the way, just cut it down! A hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, where even nature bends to the dictator’s will—and with the addition of a legislative system, “dictatorship” has evolved even further

I had the chance to get an early hands-on look at *Tropico 7*, the seventh installment in the beloved “Tropico” series of dictatorship simulations, published by Kalypso Media.

In this series, you play as “El Presidente,” the ruler of a Caribbean island nation, developing the island while maintaining your grip on power—sometimes through heavy-handed tactics, other times with sweet talk.El Presidente has always done as he pleased—from having historical monuments stolen from around the world to rigging elections—but in this installment, he has finally reached the point where he can bend the natural environment itself to his will.

Furthermore, the game boasts one of the largest content libraries in the series, featuring five campaigns, over 10 scenarios, more than 20 sandbox maps, and even a “random map generation feature”! We’ll give you a hands-on look at what’s changed since the previous installment, *Tropico 6*, focusing on new features that will catch the attention of both series fans and newcomers alike.

“Physical Terraforming” Transforms Urban Planning, and Political Reforms Revamped by the “Legislature System”

In previous games, terrain features like hills and mountains stood in the way as “obstacles” that prevented you from building structures.Many Presidents must have struggled with having to reroute roads or dig tunnels to get around them. However, this installment introduces a physical terraforming feature. It implements terrain-altering capabilities that seem to embody grand delusions—such as “If a mountain is in the way, just cut it down” or “Reclaim the sea to create a new beach.”

During a hands-on demo, I tried connecting a small island to the mainland; the controls are as intuitive as working with clay, allowing you to reshape the land however you please. Roads, which previously could only be laid in straight lines, can now be connected freely, and the thrill of creating your own ideal island nation from scratch is unmatched in the series.

In domestic politics, maneuvering among factions was previously key, but this installment introduces a new parliamentary system. You’ll need to summon representatives from each faction to parliament and engage in more gritty internal political maneuvering—either appeasing their demands with sweet deals or crushing their dreams through the exercise of power.

Although I wasn’t able to try it out this time, the military system—essential for maintaining the nation—has also been completely overhauled. It has been redesigned to allow for more direct control of units when suppressing troublesome rebel forces or dealing with external threats. You can enjoy strategic battles and defensive engagements that feel even more rewarding than in the previous game.Furthermore, the “seizure (*legal relocation*) of famous landmarks from other countries”—a feature that was highly acclaimed in the previous game—has been retained. The thrill of using diplomatic negotiations and behind-the-scenes maneuvering to line up tourist attractions from around the world in your own country remains as strong as ever.

The graphics have also been upgraded from the previous game. Island residents and vehicles are rendered with meticulous detail, making it a joy to simply zoom in and observe each one.

Overwhelming Freedom and Endless Strategy That Even Beginners Can Dive Into

Set across a vast archipelago spanning four eras—from the colonial era through World War, the Cold War, and into the modern era—this game offers a unique experience. The combination of highly flexible terrain modification, diverse scenarios, and random maps ensures that every playthrough delivers a completely different dictatorial experience.

Even beginners who might feel overwhelmed—wondering “where to even start”—can rest assured, thanks to the character-led tutorials, clear guidance, and an intuitive interface. The game masterfully blends a world brimming with dark humor with the “thrill of reshaping the city exactly as you wish,” making it the perfect title to take your first steps as the Presidente.

*Tropico 7* grants you a new power: “the ability to subdue even nature.” Building on the fun of its predecessor, *Tropico 6*, new elements like terrain modification and the legislature mesh brilliantly, resulting in a legitimate yet bold evolution as a simulation game.

*Tropico 7* is scheduled for release on January 29, 2027, for PC (Steam, Epic Games Store),PlayStation 5, andXBOX Series X|S. (It will also be available on Xbox and PC Game Pass.)

By ほろすけ

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