If you're new to the series, this is a definite must-buy. But if you've played Tropico 1 and/or 2, this feels bland.
Graphics: 9/10
Man. The first time going, I did not believe what I saw. This game is picture-perfect! Perhaps if you take a screenshot and make it a wallpaper, your friends might mistake it as your holiday photo in Caribia! The textures, the effects, the sharpness, they are all a joy to behold.
Sound: 8.5/10
Excellent music, one that really makes the atmosphere and the gaming experience very mesmerising. Its overall tone is more upbeat compared to Tropico 1 though, where you could hear a couple of songs that are more relaxing. And Juanito! Excluding his louder-than-necessary voice, he is a great addition to this game. He is far more lively than his counterpart back in Tropico 1, yet no less helpful.
Gameplay: 6/10
The same building names were a quick turn-off. I can forgive if the same names are only for the basic set of buildings. But when the names are simply copy-paste products from the lower tier to the higher tier buildings, I shall hang my head in pity. And to add salt to the injury, they all perform exactly the same functions, without at least some refreshing added bonus/perks to improve the experience. Even the set of farm crops, the character's qualities, the edicts, the citizen groups, they are all mirror images of the 1st Tropico. The new additions are so few, they are rather insignificant to add a new nuance to this game.
Conclusion:
Perhaps Kalyspo was just trying to play safe by keeping the same formula that makes the first Tropico a massive hit. However, they seem to overdo it in a way that makes the third instalment a highly predictable game. I finished the entire campaign, yet Tropico 3 failed to leave any impression. But if you have never played Tropico before and you have squeezed the Sim City series dry, go get a copy and immerse yourself in the sun, sand, and sea of the Caribbean!