- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Release Date: Aug 12, 2004
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- Critic score
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Computer Gaming WorldA political campaign would be nothing without dirty tricks, and The Political Machine gives you a whole arsenal of them. [Nov 2004, p.84]
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PC FormatSurprisingly more depth than there at first appears.
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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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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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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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Cheat Code CentralIt's part documentary, part board game, but totally fun.
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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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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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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 GamerIt 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]
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netjakA 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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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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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 InformerThis 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]
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Computer Games MagazineWhere the game starts to falter is in its handling of the major issues your candidate must address during the campaign. [Dec 2004, p.77]
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Total PC GamingMakes light of politics in an entertaining way, but falls short on depth of strategy. [Issue#14, p.61]
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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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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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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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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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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]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 4 out of 9
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Mixed: 1 out of 9
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Negative: 4 out of 9
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CameranSep 7, 2004
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G.DavisSep 6, 2004
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RobertH.Sep 6, 2004I'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!!!