Capitalism II

 PC
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Dec 16, 2001
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. IGN
    90
    In terms of scope and comprehensiveness, it has no equal in the world of business simulations, and in fact the only things it really fails to address in a business sense are non-market factors, like lawsuits, building permits, bribing politicians, unions, and all that good stuff -- but give them time.
  2. Computer Games Magazine
    90
    All of these options might lead you to think that the learning curve is steep and slippery. It would be, were it not for the slick interactive tutorials.
  3. ActionTrip
    89
    Everything is very logical and intuitive, and the developers chose the right way to gradually introduce you to more and more complex features off the game.
  5. GameSpot
    85
    The game requires quite some effort to learn, but once competition picks up against the aggressive AI, Capitalism II shows its colors as a great strategy game. Also, as if to help your own bottom line, the game's a real bargain at $20.
  6. GameSpy
    83
    Hands down the best overall simulation of real-world business economy around.
  7. GameZone
    80
    Even with the lower sound rating, Capitalism II commands a very high overall rating.
  8. PC Gamer
    80
    The most exciting new feature for many Capitalism II players is its multiplayer game. [Apr 2002, p.80]
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  9. Gamer's Pulse
    79
    The only problems were with the interfaces, which get confusing and messy, kind of like my desk, so I guess that is a little too realistic.
  10. Yahoo!
    70
    It's not one you can pick up and play for five minutes at a time or without reading the manual, but is extremely involving once you get into it.
  11. Computer Gaming World
    70
    If you have any inclination to explore the inner workings of business, Capitalism II has a lot to offer. [May 2002, p.86]
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  12. GamerWeb PC
    60
    The good is very good, yet the not-so-good list is long and much detailed. What’s a gamer to do?

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best PC Game of 2001
15
#15 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001
12
#12 Most Shared PC Game of 2001

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 93 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 93
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 93
  3. Negative: 7 out of 93
  1. CapAlive
    Jan 31, 2005
    10
    Review abstracted by Capalive.com Professor Thomas Kosnik, Consulting Professor, Stanford School of Engineering, and Lecturer, Harvard Review abstracted by Capalive.com Professor Thomas Kosnik, Consulting Professor, Stanford School of Engineering, and Lecturer, Harvard Business School , Technology Today, CNBC-TV Cable "Capitalism is a world class, hands-on learning experience which I've used at Stanford School of Engineering and Harvard Business School. Gamers not only learn the subtleties of growing an entrepreneurial business but also learn about leadership and team building necessary in any business situation." "Capitalism is very realistic and will allow the dynamics to change depending on whether you're selling a cola product, which is sort of a low tech-branded consumer good, or whether your selling consumer electronics or a PC." Professor Drew Fudenberg Harvard University "This game does an excellent job of modeling many of the key aspects of modern business. Not all aspects of it are realistic, but enough of them are that many sensible strategies are encouraged. In particular it's gratifying to me to see that the game rewards thinking about sources of long-term competitive advantage, be it from brand recognition, low production costs gained from learning-by-doing (a nice touch!), a monopoly on high quality inputs, or a big technological lead." Businessweek, October 21, 1996 Capitalism isn't just for those who aspire to be the next Michael Dell or Sam Walton. It can be a fun and useful exercise for anyone who wants to test their entrepreneurial mettle without, for once, taking any risk. Players can choose to compete against computer-controlled rivals in four different industries: farming, manufacturing, raw material mining, and retailing. For a truly adventurous and time-consuming game, players can mix and match industries as captains of giant conglomerates. As in the real world, players compete locally, in one city, or fight it out on the global stage. With so many possibilities, Capitalism is an intense strategy game, much like chess, where players must constantly think ahead. As such, it could easily overwhelm novices. But by adjusting several factors--competency and managerial style of the computer-controlled rivals, for example, can be varied from very aggressive to conservative--gameplay can be suited to various styles and speed. The game even allows a player to hire presidents to manage the day-to-day operations of different divisions so the player can concentrate on the big picture. Far Eastern Economic Review, September 26, 2002 The mass market isn't the only audience for Chan's games. Like Virtual U, Capitalism has made the leap from game room to classroom. Because of its high degree of realism, the game has been used by professors at institutions like Harvard and Stanford Universities to help students learn basic business principles. Chan is hoping that Restaurant Empire and Hotel Giant will also be adopted for training and education. "Simulation games are a fun way to learn about anything," he says. "They prove that computer games aren't just about shooting things but can also be educational." CNN - 22nd May 2002 Kristie Lu Stout, CNN Correspondent Some guys have all the luck. They have the billion dollar market cap, the brand, and the empire, while the rest of us spend our lives toiling away in cubicles with no chance to ever run the show. That is until now. Even the desk jockey can claw his way to the top in "Capitalism," the game.Hong Kong game developer Trevor Chan just released the follow-up to the award-winning original, but the objective is the same. Move your assets to turn an upstart into the most profitable company in the world. First-time players can choose a challenge like, the world in your hands, where you manage a research and development lab out to post annual revenues of $400 million, and as you take on the competition, that's when the real drama begins.But "Capitalism" is no Business 101. Critics call it a deep involving game that could test even the sharpest business document. In fact, it's been used as a simulation exercise for business students at Stanford University.… Full Review »
  2. VladimirIllichUlianovLenin
    Jun 28, 2003
    0
    Yes, very good, but i like more Commonism, socialis and humanism. CCCP
  3. RazvanClaudiu
    Sep 30, 2013
    8
    This is for Capitalism 2 Lab ===

    This is an interesting game. I've invested at least 25 hours in it. I was especially interested in the     This is for Capitalism 2 Lab ===

    This is an interesting game. I've invested at least 25 hours in it. I was especially interested in the stock market element.

    As far as an economic simulation, seems sound enough. As far as a fun game, so and so.

    The good:
    * Interesting simulation, takes into account macro economic factors.
    * Decent enough graphics, very Simish.
    * The competitors are very aggressive.
    * You can buy businesses out.
    * Many, too many business types.

    The bad:
    * There is no real end goal. You can only make more and more and more money until a point about the 4 billion profit mark.
    * Performance issues. On a i7 processor with 4GB ram, it lags hard with 30 competitors on advanced mode which is weird. Very weird.
    * About 20 minutes into the game you will always get a strange bug. Save, exit, load and it's gone.
    * I don't know how stock values are determined by sometimes, they are stupid. About 100 years into the game (which is not a lot, on the fastest speed it's about 10 minutes) once you buy out your competitors, new competitors will arise. Their stock value will start at $500 $1000 simply because they start with 3 billion of capital. It's strange when a company with a huge profit trades at $500 and a new start-up with zero revenue trades at $1000.
    * The people you hire are virtually useless. For 100 mil. salary they should be useful.    … Full Review »
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