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Political Machine, The

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6.0 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 21 critic reviews
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Based on 7 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: Stardock Entertainment

Genre(s): Strategy

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: August 10, 2004

Summary

The Political Machine is a new strategy game in which you are the campaign manager for a candidate for President of the United States. Choose a political party, put together the dream presidential ticket and go for it. Based on the real world, The Political Machine gives would-be candidates the taste of the challenge real candidates face. Fund raising, campaigning, building support, going on "The O'Maley Factor" and other cable news shows to answer the tough questions, and more. The Political Machine is both a single player game against the computer and multiplayer against other players on the Internet. Scores can be optionally recorded to the Metaverse here on PoliticalMachine.com. The game is currently in internal alpha and will be released in May of 2004. The beta should be available in mid March. On the other hand, PoliticalMachine.com has been designed not just as place to download and use the game but as neutral ground for political junkies to discuss the issues of the day with other players from around the world. Create your own articles, hang out in the forum, and become part of this new political discussion community. [Stardock]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: DEMO Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Computer Gaming World

A political campaign would be nothing without dirty tricks, and The Political Machine gives you a whole arsenal of them. [Nov 2004, p.84]

PC Format

Surprisingly more depth than there at first appears.

PC Gameworld

A fun, thinking person's game, if you have a taste for politics. Fast twitch skills are useless here. Who wouldn't want to pit Arnold Schwarzeneggar against Hilary Clinton?

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GameSpy

There's no denying that this is going to be another enduring feather in the cap of one of the most exciting strategy game developers since the heyday of Microprose and SimTex.

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Cheat Code Central

It's part documentary, part board game, but totally fun.

Gaming Nexus

The game is simple to pick up and play, and simple to enjoy. The graphics are much like a cartoon, but they get the job done easily.

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IGN

Although The Political Machine isn't quite as fleshed out as I would have liked and dates itself by focusing heavily on the issues of 2004, it's still fun and surprisingly accessible.

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GameZone

Offers up a truly unique experience that is both fun and informative. Give it a try if you’re interested in fun or learning.

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GameSpot

The game is a bit on the rough side overall, but it still has a simplistic charm and a somewhat compulsive replayability factor.

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PC Gamer

It may not be the most authentic simulation of American politics, but Political Machine does have some educational value in helping you understand the nitty-gritty of how 270 Electoral Collage votes are cobbled together. [Dec 2004, p.96]

netjak

A very well crafted game with great balance and a surprisingly large strategic depth. It offers a long enough gameplay to last well beyond the 2004 Presidential election, and because of the lack of violence and sex, it is accessible to people of all ages.

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Inside Gamer Online

Stardock has created an easygoing, charming title with a lot of pick-up-and-play appeal. Give it a shot, and like us, you may be pleasantly surprised.

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Game Chronicles

If you like politics, you will probably find this game is engrossing, if not fulfilling. It is the gaming version of snack food: it may not be good, but it is easy and you are likely to eat a lot of it when bored.

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Game Informer

This title's humorous tone and engaging gameplay are charming, even if the game itself is a bit on the repetitive and shallow side (just like real politics!). [Nov 2004, p.167]

Computer Games Magazine

Where the game starts to falter is in its handling of the major issues your candidate must address during the campaign. [Dec 2004, p.77]

Total PC Gaming

Makes light of politics in an entertaining way, but falls short on depth of strategy. [Issue#14, p.61]

Game Over Online

I just don’t see it being a game anybody would want to play more than a handful of times. It’s just too simplistic. I saw everything there was to see after one game, but I played it five times to be sure, and that was plenty.

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GamerFeed

Offers the player a startlingly accurate view of the blood, sweat, tears- and, most importantly, MONEY- that goes into running a successful campaign. However, don't expect much in the way of visuals: the graphics are minimal and your avatar is little more than a blob. The game can also get a bit repetitive, especially if you hit upon a winning formula.

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1UP

It's not a matter of whether it's challenging or not--the difficulty level you select at the beginning of the game determines that--it's that, despite the juicy subject matter that Stardock could have taken and run with, there's less depth here than there is in the average puddle on Pennsylvania Avenue.

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Game Revolution

It’s more of a novelty, a third-party candidate – you’ll like some of what it has to offer, but it’s still pretty much just wasting your vote.

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Worth Playing

First, as a gamer, I give this game an abysmal 1 out of 10. It is dull, uninspired, graphically inferior, sound deserted, and ultimately, unsatisfying. However, if this is marketed as educational software, specifically at the Middle- and High-School level, and not targeted at the gaming community, this could be an exceptional introduction to the world of National Politics, indeed. [As educational software - score = 70]

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.0 (out of 10) based on 7 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Cameran gave it a 10:
Be sure you have a firm grasp on common-sense politics. I picked up and understood this game within the first 30 minutes, and went on to win my first election without reading the manual- I did have it on the easiest gameplay setting. This is a great game for political junkies! There are a variety of issues you can take a stance on, a full campaign, and they promise new downloadable content. You can easily make a new candidate or play a fantasy game where you alter the demographic settings. Highly recommended to anyone who likes strategy games or politics!

G. Davis gave it a 3:
I found the game difficult and confusing even on the beginner setting. Worst of all, I did not understand why my candidate lost or how the different factors of the game affect winning or losing.

Robert H. gave it a 0:
I've had video card issues as well. Tech "support" has been all but non-existant. If you're not a techie, beware of this game!!!

Eva D. gave it a 10:
This game far exceeded my expectations. I found politics is anything but boring in the Political Machine. Moving John Kerry around the country trying to defeat opponent Arnold Shwarzeneggar and win the Oval office on Election Day was fun and hectic. Though the game is turn-based, i felt like every moment is precious. I especially like the real life data and issues represented in the game. Gives me an idea on where the rest of the country sits on issues. The longer i played the more comfortable i was building political capitol and strategizing. It wasn't easy but it was fun!

Kelli M. gave it a 0:
Game only works on a few select brands of video cards and you have to download and re-do all kinds of stuff for it to work even if you have one of their choice brand of video cards. that is just plain bad programming. compatibility is much needed!

Joe L. gave it a 10:
It's still in Beta, but it's the most fun you will ever have with politics.

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Political Machine, The

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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