There are over 1,000 downloadable games at pcgameworld.com, one of the major sources of PC Game Demos. My goal for this column is to provide the reader with a guide to these demos. Specifically, I will tell you which ones are worth your time and your hard drive space and which ones are not.

All demos will be rated on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest. Five different points will be considered in the evaluation process:

Playability
Graphics and Sound
Computer Specs
Fun Factor
Overall

Testing system: PII 350, 128 RAM, Voodoo 3000 PCI, 256K DSL Internet

Tropico

If you've ever dreamed of being "El Presidente" and having an entire island at your beckon call, then this simulation game is for you. I personally relish the idea of being "El Jefe" and ruling my subjects with an iron hand, so this game consumed over 12 straight hours of my time. It was shockingly addictive.

If you've ever played any of the Sim-series games, you'll be familiar with the concept. You rule the island — simple as that. Make people happy so they will vote you back into office every 5 years or so, and make sure that you keep the island alive politically, economically and environmentally.

However, you have a few tricks up your sleeve as the island's military leader, ya know. For example: Once I learned that there was going to be an election next year, and I found out who was running against me (some friggin' lumberjack — imagine that), I put out a hit on him. Yep — wiped his ass of the face of my island. This didn't make anyone else happy (and downright put the fear of "El Presidente" into the bystanders who happened to see my trigger-happy soldiers drop this poor bastard in the streets of San Cristobal) and I lost a few votes, but hey — I still won the election.

Trouble started a few years later when the crops dried up and the mining business went south. I had to fire everyone on the island, and although it didn't bother me, it certainly bothered the people. Some turned rebellious and started attacking my palace! Well, previously, I had cut the pay of all but two of my soldiers, so I lost most of the army too, but the remaining warriors (trained in Spec-Ops — nice) took their stance in the streets and unleashed a hail of gunfire that seemed to quell any serious complaints for the time being. But then the coup d'etat came like an angry hurricane, and I was forced to flee, with a meager $12,000 in my Swiss bank account. It was bad news.

There are some great tunes in this demo, and the graphics are pretty good. It can be challenging at times, and downright frustrating at others, but for the most part this game is worth the download and I don't feel too bad about investing an entire Saturday in it. While it's not too hard to learn Tropico, it is difficult to master it, so be ready for the challenge.

Playability: Highly addictive. Innumerable possibilities. A better "Sims" with a Latin American twist.

Graphics / Sound: Nice sim graphics. When zooming all the way in, quality drops (to save room on the demo). The sounds are fantastic, with some catchy Calypso and Caribbean tunes throughout the game that don't get old at all — even after 12 hours.

Computer Specs: Pentium 200 / 32MB RAM / 180MB Hard Drive Space. Supports Direct3D, but not necessary.

Fun Factor: There are so many things at your fingertips, this game stays fun for a long time. Just trying to keep Tropico's economics in check is challenging, but attempting to stay in power while governing with a heavy hand is where the fun comes in.

Overall: This game is loads of fun to play. It will keep you entertained for a long time, and you may even went back and tried it again to see if you can do better. Viva Presidente!

TOTAL SCORE: 8.0

TROPICO
Demo Size: 172.65MB
System Requirements [P200/32MB/Win95/98/ME/2000 + DirectX + 180 MB system space]
Download Time: 56K: at least 7 hours; DSL/Cable: It's yours in 30-40 mins.
Download Here: Tropico 172.65MB ZDNet or Tropico 172.65MB Gamesdomain.com
Published by: Gathering of Developers, Inc.

Greg A. Bruns is a freelance writer residing in Phoenix, Arizona. His monthly column "Straight Up with a Twist" appears in the Arcadia News. His first book, Tales from the Scenic Route, is currently unpublished. Greg also pens "Ask the Faceless Assassin" - an "advice" column.
Note: Featured author in October
E-mail: greg@gregbruns.com
Writing interests: Humor, Strange News, Nonfiction, Short Stories, Memoirs
I.D. Theory articles: Your Guide to College, Instant Gratification, Survive This!, Letter to the new President, The Things We Do For Love, Seattle: Emerging Character
PC Demo Game Reviews: HITMAN: Codename 47, Project IGI (I'm Going In), Diablo II, No One Lives Forever, Deus Ex, Delta Force Land Warrior, Motocross Madness, HEAVY METAL F.A.K.K. 2
Links: GregBruns.com, Tales from the Scenic Route, Ask the Faceless Assassin, More alphabet zen

Screenshots
from
TROPICO
(click to enlarge)

It's your island. Do with it as you wish.

Put a nice fountain and a big statue in front of your palace; ignore the nearby shanties

Sometimes you will get opponents when election time rolls around. Take care of them however you see fit.

How revolting.

These citizens are walking around with death sentences over their heads and they don't even know it.