Easily one of the most innovative, exciting DLCs for a strategy game in recent years, Tropico 6's New Frontiers DLC gives players the opportunity to develop Tropico's budding space program with the introduction of the Spaceport Complex, which allows for the development and eventual deployment of various rocket parts and spaceships.
Additionally, the New Frontiers DLC adds plenty of new items and buildings to the base game, which allow players to engineer a more sophisticated, multifaceted economy to accommodate the growing needs of their advanced nation, as well as its space program. Here's how players can nail New Frontiers' space program endgame.
10 Develop Solid Infrastructure
One of the most fundamental pieces of advice for any player tackling the New Frontiers DLC is to make sure they have a solid, existing network of infrastructure already in place in Tropico before attempting to launch their space program.
Building the various rocket components needed to complete spaceships is very resource intensive, and often requires rare materials, too. So, players need to ensure that they have the infrastructure in place to provide for the needs of their space program, in addition to providing for the rest of Tropico.
9 Maintain A Strong Economy
Another challenge with running a successful space program in the New Frontiers DLC is that it's fairly expensive. To cater to their space program, players need to ensure that they have the sufficient resources in place; not only to get the space program off the ground, but to support the rest of Tropico while it's running.
To do so, players should make sure that, prior to launching their space program, they have a strong, diverse economy already in place. If this isn't the case, players should work on this before getting started with their endgame.
8 Use Fusion Reactors To Generate Energy
One of the buildings introduced to Tropico 6 by the New Frontiers DLC is the Fusion Reactor. Basically an upgraded version of the Nuclear Reactor, the Fusion Reactor is much more efficient as it doesn't require any fuel to operate. Instead, it simply needs to be built on a beach, where it can generate almost endless energy.
Running a successful space program in the New Frontiers DLC requires plenty of energy. Players should focus on building as many Fusion Reactors as necessary before commencing with their space program in order to meet its energy needs.
7 Build Reclaimers To Convert Pollution Into Extra Energy
Another new building that players can build in the New Frontiers DLC is the Reclaimer. The Reclaimer converts pollution into energy, so placing these near resource-generating structures is a win-win, resulting in both cleaner air and more energy for Tropico.
Pollution management is a crucial part of the Tropico franchise, so building Reclaimers should be a no-brainer for players in New Frontiers. While they are fairly expensive and resource-intensive to build, it's definitely worth the investment for the value they provide.
6 Hydroponic Farms & Synthetic Food Labs Are Great Food Sources
The New Frontiers DLC introduces several new methods of generating food to Tropico 6. Arguably the most versatile of these is the Synthetic Food Lab. Not only do Synthetic Food Labs make multiple kinds of foods, but they can also be expanded upon using Vertical Expansion.
Players can use a combination of Hydroponic Farms and Synthetic Food Labs to grow a wide variety of foods to meet the needs of their population. Maintaining a strong, stable economy is a crucial part of running a successful space program, and a robust food production system is essential in this.
5 Build Dome Residences, Especially On Smaller Islands
One of the challenges of running a successful space program in New Frontiers is that players will sometimes have very limited space to work with. This is especially true of smaller islands. Spaceport complexes take up quite a lot of room, and players also need enough space to cater to their citizens and other buildings.
A great solution to this on smaller islands in particular is the Dome Residence introduced in New Frontiers. The Dome Residence is compact and also provides food and entertainment to residents, so additional restaurants don't need to be constructed to cater to the citizens living in these buildings.
4 Utilize Vertical Expansion Feature On Smaller Islands
Another great feature introduced to introduced to Tropico 6 by the New Frontiers DLC is Vertical Expansion. Vertical Expansion is a fantastic way to save space while still constructing more housing or expanding upon important, resource-generating structures.
Players will find Vertical Expansion especially useful in smaller islands with limited space to build upon. With clever civic planning and the use of Vertical Expansion where necessary, players should find that they are able to make far more efficient use of space than they would have been able to in the base game.
3 Complete Space Complex Before Attempting To Build Rockets
Space complexes are, well, complex. Having the right buildings and infrastructure in place in them prior to getting started with a space program is important for a number of reasons.
Chief among these is being able to actually produce the amount of energy and the resources needed to construct the different rocket components needed to complete one of New Frontiers' spacecrafts. Before players even attempt to do this, they should focus all of their energy into constructed all the buildings needed to complete their space complex first.
2 Pay Attention To Engines' Weight Limits
Every type of engine that can be built as part of the space program has a maximum weight limit. Adhering to these weight limits is crucial, because failing to do so will mean that the spaceship won't be able to take off at all.
So, players need to closely monitor the total weight of any spaceship their space program is constructing. If it looks as though the weight limit of its engine will be exceeded, then this needs to be addressed for the rocket to be able to fly.
1 Buy Rocket Parts From Other Countries If Necessary
While it's not generally the most cost-effective approach, buying rocket parts from other nations in New Frontiers, rather than building them from scratch, can sometimes be a great way to save both time and resources.
As mentioned above, building rocket components is highly resource-intensive, and generally requires rare materials, too. So, players who notice that they are struggling to meet the resource needs of their space program may want to consider simply purchasing certain rocket components rather than building them all from scratch, even if it is more expensive.
Tropico 6: New Frontiers DLC is out now on the PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox, and Xbox One.