Worm wrote:Debase: Tropico is a simulation game, for fuck's sake.
WRONG. People think Tropico is a simulation game because it is in many ways similair to Sim City. But they are WRONG.
Wonder Twin Powers Activate! Form of: Long-winded pedantic asshole!
There are six broad genres into which most games fit. While some game mix and match (or cross) elements from different genres, nearly all fit primarily into a single classification:
ACTION GAME: Game wherein the player relies primarily on coordingation, reflexes, and the ability to respond appropriately under pressure. Usually involves combat or some other violent activity, but most sports games fit under this banner as well. Popular subgenres include the 2D shooter, the Shoot 'em Up, the Beat 'em Up, the 3D Shooter, the 4D Beater, and the Columbine Massacre.
STRATEGY GAME: A game in which intelligent, long-term planning is the primary key to success. Usually, but not neccessarily includes features such as resource management and tactical combat. Popular subgenres include the Real Time Strategy Game, the War Game, and the 4X Game.
PUZZLE GAME: A game in which the player must solve puzzles or complete arbitrary tasks in an abstract, minimalist, or surreal environment. Popular subgenres include the rythm game.
ADVENTURE GAME: Game in which exploration and the solving of puzzles (which are, ideally at least, tied in some way to the environment of the game, unlike true puzzle games wherein the puzzles are unapologetically arbitrary) are the primary (and usually only) activities the player engages in. There are no popular subgenres.
SIMULATION GAME: A game which is more interested in accurately and realistically depicting a real (or at least plausably possible) activity such as flying a plane than it is in providing a fun and/or challenging experience for the player (though, ideally, the activity is interesting enough to be enjoyable). Usually these games are as much educational as they are entertaining, if not moreso. Popular Subgenres include the flight simulator and the Japanese rape simulator.
ROLE PLAYING GAME: Game wherein the player pretends to be a female elf for a few hours and then softly cries himself to sleep.
Now, as is clear to anyone who has played the game, Tropico in no way accurately depicts the trials and tribulations of actually being the overlord of a banana republic. Hence it does not belong in the simulation genre, but rather the strategy genre. If you insist that a strategy game requires combat, I will simply point out that Tropico
does have combat, albeit very little. And, since the game takes place in a real time as opposed to turn-based environment, it is a Real Time Strategy Game.
You stand corrected.