Tutorial
The tutorial teaches you the game’s most fundamental mechanics. New players should use the tutorial to learn the game’s interface and basic tools.
All of the skills you learn in the tutorial are needed to progress through the game, and these low-pressure scenarios provide an excellent opportunity to practice them.
Campaign
The game’s campaign boasts 20 individual missions. Campaign missions must be completed in order, and each of them presents its own goals and conditions.
Each time you complete a mission, you receive a performance rating. If you choose to post your score online, you can compare your performance against those of other players.
Repeat campaign missions to improve your scores, unlock Achievements, or apply new strategies to familiar scenarios.
Sandbox
Sandbox missions have no objectives, so you’re free to practice your tactics and set your own goals.
When you begin a Sandbox mission, you can use an existing map or create a random island to rule.
Game parameters such as population, natural disasters, and the frequency of rebel attacks can all be adjusted to create unique scenarios each time you play through a mission.
Challenges
In Tropico 4, you have the ability to create Challenges which you can then share with other players.
Use the Challenge Editor to design unique scenarios complete with stories, special events, and mandatory objectives. Of course, you also have the option to download Challenges designed by other players.
As with campaign missions, you receive a performance rating each time you complete a Challenge. If you wish, you can post your score online to compare your performance against the performances of other players.
Achievements
As you play through the game, you’ll automatically unlock many of the game’s Achievements.
More complicated Achievements may demand that you abandon your preferred tactics or employ strategies you otherwise wouldn’t have considered.
If you wish to unlock all of the Achievements, remember to check the requirements for each of them.