The Political Machine 2012

 PC
The Political Machine 2012 Image
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Political Machine 2012 lets players play as Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich or create their own candidate to take to the campaign trail.

Trailer

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The Political Machine 2012 - Intro Trailer
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. DarkStation
    Aug 30, 2012
    70
    It's a lot of work to get into politics, but it's also a lot to try and turn it into a simulation for us to play at home. I would never say this game is a perfect simulation of anything, but it does a great job of being a simple, accessible simulation game even for people who aren't really into that type of game.
  2. Gamers' Temple
    Aug 7, 2012
    65
    This political machine is in need of a little tune-up.
  3. IGN
    Aug 9, 2012
    65
    The issues themselves are a little more engaging than before, but the departure of quirky campaigns and beloved former presidents like Abraham Lincoln and JFK pose significant threats to its replayability. Without them, The Political Machine 2012 is a sober reminder of the problem that's plagued American politics almost since the beginning: at heart, it's still just the same old game.
  4. GameSpot
    Aug 3, 2012
    60
    The Political Machine 2012 updates the Beltway players and the hot-button issues, but keeps the same gameplay as its 2008 predecessor.
  5. PC Gamer
    Oct 5, 2012
    55
    Ultimately, TPM might give you the odd chuckle, but you're not really looking forward to it running for a second term in your office. [Dec 2012, p.67]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. GameSpy
    Aug 14, 2012
    40
    You can randomize population (electoral votes), wealth, issue importance, and demographics, but all this does is divorce Political Machine 2012 from context even more. There are historical and social reasons for red state/blue state divides, reasons that Republicans tend to be more successful in rural, poorer states, reasons that certain issues may be more important to California and New York than they are in Georgia and Tennessee. But Political Machine 2012 is only interested in the game of presidential politics -- and unfortunately, it doesn't even do a good job with that game.
  7. PC PowerPlay
    Oct 11, 2012
    40
    Not serious to be legit, not funny enough to be, well, fun. [Oct 2012, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. Hulkpinnaple
    Dec 31, 2012
    10
    This game is very addicting..... It starts where you can choose your candidate or make your own, than you are off to win the electorals... IThis game is very addicting..... It starts where you can choose your candidate or make your own, than you are off to win the electorals... I love how you can get republican states to vote for you if you are a democrat, or vice- versa... The one thing is people dont play online very much ... However I recommend this game, add me on steam : Hulkpena , to play me online on this. Plus right now its half off.. Hurry up! Best 5 bucks I have spent in a while.… Expand
  2. Darthmonk867
    Aug 2, 2012
    8
    The Political Machine 2012 is a great Presidential campaign simulator. You choose your candidate or make your own and then start the race, itThe Political Machine 2012 is a great Presidential campaign simulator. You choose your candidate or make your own and then start the race, it has board game like mechanics and is an addictive game.… Expand
  4. GamersRespite
    Aug 8, 2012
    6
    The Political Machine 2012 gets its politics right, but taught me that politics is a messy game that should be avoided unless necessary. AndThe Political Machine 2012 gets its politics right, but taught me that politics is a messy game that should be avoided unless necessary. And without significant core gameplay changes to the first game, The Political Machine 2012 seems like it stumbles right out of the gate with lackluster replayability, static gameplay, and suffers from just not being fun. Unfortunately, I will be taking my votes, money, and time, elsewhere, and advise that you do the same.

    Full review at http://gamersrespite.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/101/    … Expand
  5. Dethstar
    Aug 22, 2012
    6
    A budget offering that is priced around what its actually worth. Its a fairly amusing way to waste a couple of hours here and there. VeryA budget offering that is priced around what its actually worth. Its a fairly amusing way to waste a couple of hours here and there. Very basic and little real depth but enough to be quite enjoyable for a short while. This is not a terrible game. I couldnt find any bugs at all. It is a a short afternoon's entertainment. Nothing wrong with it. But nothing great either. Just a bit too simplistic to be engaging for more than a short time.… Expand
  6. virgilivs
    Nov 6, 2012
    4
    I recognize someone could enjoy this kind of simulation, but are you serious? This has a higher user average than Mass Effect 3?
    What's wrong    I recognize someone could enjoy this kind of simulation, but are you serious? This has a higher user average than Mass Effect 3?
    What's wrong with this planet?    … Expand
  7. maxbell09
    Aug 10, 2012
    3
    The most fun I had with this game was customizing my candidate. The bare gameplay and uninteresting interface greatly reduced the fun factorThe most fun I had with this game was customizing my candidate. The bare gameplay and uninteresting interface greatly reduced the fun factor and I didn't feel the choices I made were relevant or important as they should be when playing with such issues as rights and government spending. Politics are a crucial aspect of society and this game completely missed the point, dumbing them to a numb strategical board game. I love simulation games, but this isn't one.… Expand

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