Meeple Station vs Tropico Reloaded
Meeple Station
Meeple Station is a space-themed, sandbox simulation game that focuses a lot on exploration, trading and team management. In this game, you’ll need to build your starter space station and then venture out into the galaxy to find a place to set up shop, so to speak. Mine nearby resources and refine them into valuable bars and other alloys, and trade the resources you have with passing spaceships for resources that you don’t. Don’t forget to assign your meeples with tasks that suit their respective personalities, and give them everything they need to be content despite being cooped up in a tightly-packed space station.The game doesn't have a multiplayer mode (yet), but I can see the potential of having the game mode added in the future where players will be able to trade with each other and even raid other player’s stations to plunder resources. It’ll probably be somewhat similar to Minecraft’s multiplayer mode.
Overall, Meeple Station is definitely an early access game with plenty of potential. Despite the bugs and game issues, it is a rather fun sandbox game to play where you can build your own space station, explore the galaxy, mine and trade for resources, and manage your team of adorable meeples. If you’re interested, Meeple Station is currently available for purchase on Steam. Check it out!
Tropico Reloaded
Tropico Reloaded is a strategic nation-building game that may feel a little like one of those really in-depth city-building simulation games. However, playing the role of the leader of a banana republic rather than simply being the mayor, you have a wider reach and influence over your people - you can choose to rule with an iron grip or with benevolence - and also the ability to amass an army to defend your said republic from external invaders and internal dissidents. Of course, you can also choose to be corrupt and set aside some funds for your swiss bank account.The game's expansion, Tropico: Paradise Island allows you to not only bring natural disasters on your people but also build tourist attractions as you open up your country for others to visit and of course, to bring in tons of cash. This reloaded version even includes Tropico 2, which will see you ruling over a pirate island as the Pirate King.
Tropico lets players enjoy the fun of managing their own country in their own respective ways much like a simulation game would, and yet, there is also a strategic element to it as you'll need to lead your armies or pirate crew to defend your people from time to time. This game may appeal to fans of city-builders or people who have always imagine themselves leading a nation.