Difference between Steam Special and Absolute Power?

[MrDave]

Just wondering, cause I'm playing back through Tropicos and I wanted to check which one to install.

[Mandrake]

Steam Special Edition is the original/vanilla Tropico 3, while Absolute Power is the expansion pack for it. I wrote a review for Absolute Power a while ago which explains what it adds and how it improves the experience: https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198051702382/recommended/57600/

[MrDave]

Ok, I've got both, so should I go with Absolute?

[Mandrake]

This is a personal recommendation, but after playing both with and without the expansion, I'd say play with Absolute Power because it improves the experience in so many ways.

[MajorTom]

If I try to launch the Steam Special Edition it runs Absolute Power, so I guess there's no choice...

[Mandrake]

Originally posted by Swaz:

If I try to launch the Steam Special Edition it runs Absolute Power, so I guess there's no choice...

Unfortunately, Tropico 3 and Absolute Power were both added before Steam's current DLC system was implemented, and if you have both games in your library, Absolute Power takes priority. That said, I do believe that Tropico 3 is a much better game with the DLC than without.