The Political Machine 2008

The Political Machine 2008

Box art
Developer(s) Stardock
Publisher(s) Ubisoft
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)
  • NA June 24, 2008
  • EU October 17, 2008
Genre(s) Government simulation
Mode(s) Single-player, Multiplayer
Distribution CD, digital download

The Political Machine 2008 is a government simulation game from Stardock and the second game in the Political Machine series, in which the player leads a campaign to elect the President of the United States. The player accomplishes this goal by traveling from state to state and engaging in a variety of activities to either raise money or raise poll numbers. It is the sequel to The Political Machine released in 2004. The Political Machine 2008 features new characters such as Barack Obama and John McCain. The game focuses on much more current issues and the constant need for money.[1]

The game also features 3 more scenarios, election in the American Civil War, an election taking place in an alternative European Union, and an alien world.

The developers said that they would add new content into the game before November 4 (the election) and update the issues as they changed in importance. New candidates were also planned once minor bugs were ironed out.[2]

Presidential candidates

Democrats

Republicans

A screenshot of the main screen, showing candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.

It is not possible to run as a third-party or independent candidate.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings75.75%[4]
Metacritic73/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1UP.comC[6]
GamePro[7]
GameSpot7.5/10[8]
GameSpy[9]
IGN7.3/10[10]
PC Format79%[11]
PC Gamer (US)81%[12]
PC Zone81%[13]
Wired[14]

The game was met with average reception upon release, as GameRankings gave it a score of 75.75%,[4] while Metacritic gave it 73 out of 100.[5] IT Reviews said that "the gameplay is sufficiently engrossing and varied to keep your interest".[15] GameSpy called it "a really solid 'beer & pretzels' strategy game".[9] 1UP.com complained that "with more focus on the real-world conflicts and unpredictable events that plague campaigns, running for office might be a bit less tiresome".[6]

References

  1. ↑ Stardock. "The Political Machine 2008 lets gamers run for President".
  2. ↑ The Political Machine forum post (about halfway down the page)
  3. ↑ George Washington was an independent, but the game only allows for a two-party system
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Political Machine 2008 for PC". GameRankings. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Political Machine 2008 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Manion, Rory (June 23, 2008). "The Political Machine 2008". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  7. ↑ Dagley, Andrew (June 30, 2008). "Review: The Political Machine 2008". GamePro. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  8. ↑ Todd, Brett (June 20, 2008). "The Political Machine 2008 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Rausch, Allen "Delsyn" (June 20, 2008). "GameSpy: The Political Machine 2008". GameSpy. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  10. ↑ Butts, Steve (June 18, 2008). "The Political Machine 2008 Review". IGN. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  11. ↑ "The Political Machine 2008". PC Format (217): 112. September 2008.
  12. ↑ "The Political Machine 2008". PC Gamer: 75. September 2008.
  13. ↑ "PC Review: The Political Machine 2008". PC Zone: 64. October 2008.
  14. ↑ Cavalli, Earnest (June 16, 2008). "Review: Political Machine 2008 Makes Politics Fun, Affordable". Wired. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  15. ↑ http://www.itreviews.co.uk/games/g504.htm

External links