The Political Machine

I only reccomend this game if you're interested in politics or wish to play as Donald Trump. You basically have to campaign to win votes in states (the same way the UK has seats for consituencies, except some states have, like, all the votes). I've never won the game, because I know nothing about politics. The game does get a bit repetitive. Notes: Since I haven't completed the 'running for president' thing, im not sure if you can actually run the USA or if thats the entire game. Either way, this is still worth picking up in the sales or something. Best strat so far: Secure Florida, California and Texas and you're guarenteed 40% or something.

I never played 2016, however, playing this one has effected my choice to buy 2020. The reason: The people that made this games have a strong bias to the left. Unrealistic polls, unrealistic issues. If I run as a big government, raise your taxes, and what not. Everyone will love me and I will win by 400 votes in every state. If I run as a Christain in any state other then Texas, that supports the 2nd. I will lose every election I run, even though there has been more GOP presidents, then dem presidents. I won't fault you for wis and MI being deep blue in 2012. However, in 2020 you still have them as deep blue states, and praise to the all might Sanders, even though he lost in both states in 2016 to Hilliary, but I am not suppose to remember that. Somehow a 90% tax bracket and a medical plan that will cost 3 times the GPD of the entire country will cause 1/3 of the Trump supporters to jump ship? I have my doubts. What could have been good is if you put the districts in the game, and split the demgraphics out by the years cenus. Then you create trends for the years and use that to craft your issues. It doesn't matter how states vote, or what my path is. It matter how popular I become by picking the right issue, if I pick the trending issue, look good for the camera, and don't get out spent, I will win the election. The way you have it, is dems always win by 3% and GOP must struggle, and for some reason Arkansas, MO, and LU go hard blue every election, why? Because were dems that's why!

i love it. it's fun

It was fun

Boring gameplay and noting subsantial to back it up 4.5/10

I love this game. Despite my better instincts I've always been fascinated with politics and this game is really entertaining when it comes to that. It's basically a time limited resource strategy game where you either win or lose against an opponent. You manage campaign ad money, get endorsements, move around to give speeches and fund raise. For me, I love running as a Republican and challenging myself to barely get enough electoral votes to win while losing the popular vote by such a drastic margin that it calls into question the whole democratic basis of the United States. I look forward to the next iteration of this game, The Political Machine 2020. It's too bad that it's not coming out until later this year. I'd think that they'd have something out before the Iowa caucuses.

Personally I would recommend hunting down The Political Machine 2008, it had a lot more fun game modes included in it that this game does not. The online is fun with friends, but it just feels very shallow compared to 2008. Perhaps in 2016 they will add more scenarios, debates and even primaries.