2. Tropico 4 (2011)

So good to see you, El Presidente!

Developer: Haemimont Games

Genre: Construction and management simulation, political simulation

Your island nation develops the way you want it to

Returning to the exotic island of Tropico, you take the role of El Presidente again, in all of his sun-bathed glory. Under your leadership, your sovereign nation will reach new levels of prosperity... Or not.

When starting out, the first thing you need to do is choose (or randomly generate) an island. Then you either select or create your own dictator before starting with your first term. The meat of the game is a mostly classic affair of expanding the populated area and keeping the people happy, but with a unique “banana republic” atmosphere. Finishing a mission makes your avatar’s traits upgrade, which is only one of the many things that keep the game addictive.

If you want to experience a well written, polished and original game with a unique premise, look no further than Tropico 4.