I know. I know. City builders aren't renowned for their CPU-straining graphics. Perhaps unfairly. While the Tropico series didn't dazzle you with its depictions of dictatorial splendour, they had a warm and vibrant beauty to their tenements, shanty towns and decadent tourist traps. And these first 'pre-alpha' screenshots of Tropico 5 show the series' first major upgrade since El Presidente's third outing.

They're another hint that this new version will be a significant update of the series. As revealed with the announcement, Tropico 5 will take you through different eras of island management, from the colonial 19th century, and into the future.

Tropico 5 is due out next year.