Games like Tropico 6: Why Ikariam is worth a look
If you like Tropico 6 because you enjoy building, managing and planning for the long term, Ikariam might also appeal to you. Ikariam is a construction and strategy game in your browser set in ancient times and can be started directly without any download. It offers a different gameplay experience than Tropico 6 – but it's designed for players who have similar construction and planning interests.
What makes Tropico 6 special
Tropico 6 is a construction and economic simulation by Limbic Entertainment and Realmforge Studios, published by Kalypso Media in March 2019. Players take on the role of "El Presidente" and lead a fictional island nation through four epochs – either as a dictator or peaceful statesman.
- Genres: Simulation, Strategy
- Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer, PvP, Online PvP, Co-op, Online Co-op
- Setting: Caribbean banana republic across four epochs
- Platform: Paid game (not free-to-play)
What Ikariam offers
Ikariam is a browser-based construction game set in ancient times. The focus is on island colonies, research, trade and conflicts with other players. Research is divided into several areas – including Economy, Science and Navigation.
Examples from the Economy branch
- Conservation – 12 research points
- Prosperity – 112 research points
- Wine Culture – 336 research points
- Architecture – 3,672 research points (enables construction of architecture offices)
- Culinary Specialities – 10,764 research points (enables training chefs in the barracks)
- Bureaucracy – 106,560 research points
- Utopia – 241,200 research points
- Future of Economy (multi-level, up to level 10) – from 532,800 research points
Military and Navigation
Via buildings such as the Pirate Fortress, privateering raids are possible. A first privateering raid brings, according to the wiki, 115 privateer points and 40 gold; with the expansion of the fortress, crew, range and possible expeditions increase. In the military endgame there is, among other things, the Balloon Carrier, a floating fortress with balloons that requires a War Fleet Level 7 and a Floating Outpost.
Chart Archive
The Chart Archive reduces travel time between islands. The time saving increases with expansion:
| Level | Build time | Time saving for 20 islands | Time saving for 50 islands |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 45m 36s | -5m 46s | -20m 52s |
| 10 | 2h 21m | -50m 16s | -2h 53m |
| 20 | 7h 36m | -1h 28m 13s | -4h 51m 34s |
| 30 | 23h 56m | -1h 57m 59s | -6h 18m 26s |
| 35 | 1d 18h | -2h 10m 36s | -6h 53m 48s |
Where Ikariam differs from Tropico 6
Both games share an interest in construction and strategy, but differ in several ways:
- Platform: Tropico 6 is a paid game for PC, Ikariam runs in your browser without installation.
- Cost model: Tropico 6 is purchased once, Ikariam is free-to-play.
- Setting: Tropico 6 is set in a Caribbean banana republic across four epochs, Ikariam in ancient times.
- Gameplay: Tropico 6 is a self-contained simulation with single-player and multiplayer scenarios. Ikariam is designed for long-term progress and interaction with other players – for example through privateering raids.
- Research: In Ikariam, research is a central, multi-level progression path with clearly defined point costs (e.g. up to millions for late stages).
Comparison at a glance
| Feature | Tropico 6 | Ikariam |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | PC (paid game) | Browser |
| Free-to-play | No | Yes |
| Setting | Caribbean island nation, four epochs | Ancient times, island colonies |
| Genre | Simulation, Strategy | Construction and Strategy browser game |
| Multiplayer | Multiplayer, PvP, Co-op (online) | Persistent online world with other players |
| Instantly playable | After installation | Directly in browser |
FAQ
Is Ikariam a direct alternative to Tropico 6?
No. Tropico 6 is a comprehensive construction simulation for PC, Ikariam is a browser-based construction game set in ancient times. However, if you enjoy economics, research and long-term construction, you will find a comparable focus of themes in Ikariam.
Do I have to buy or install Ikariam?
No. Ikariam is free-to-play and runs in your browser, no installation is required.
Is there interaction with other players in Ikariam?
Yes. Through mechanics like privateering raids from the Pirate Fortress, other players can be attacked; the range depends on the expansion of the fortress.
How deep is the research system in Ikariam?
Very comprehensive: In the Economy branch alone, research ranges from 12 points (Conservation) to several million points for the late stages of "Future of Economy".
Fancy some ancient strategy in your browser?
Ikariam can be started directly in your browser – without installation and free of charge. If construction, research and island strategy remind you of Tropico 6, you can try Ikariam easily and decide for yourself whether it's for you.