The Political Machine

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]

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.

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.

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.

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]

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]

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

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.

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.