Games

The Political Machine 2008

Publisher: Kalypso Media

Platform: Reviewed on PC

Price: From £14.99

Certificate: 7+

In politics, everyone can hear you scream

As the world goes crazy over changing politics and nation crippling recessions Kalypso Media's latest release gets into the middle of the real action and charts out the American election in a comical yet highly accurate game.

Taking real statistics, based on the race between John McCain and Barack Obama and previous world election races this title presents the opportunity to play as many historic figures and to, within reason, run a campaign based on how it was done in reality.

But play isn't limited to re-inacting past events nor is it entirely serious. While this title's strength lies in its firm grip of reality, a players policies can vary from the whimsical to the deadly and the characters on offer are truly varied, from vastly different political and social backgrounds

Offering up a vast array of options, most of which can be easily accessed through the largely user friendly interface, this game is fresh with its concept and delivery.

The goal, as one would expect, is to get elected to the office of American President. It may sound simple but in fact this a long and arduous process in the real world, where the likes of Obama and McCain have been running for over two years each. The game reflects the epic nature of this.

Activities along the way include range from raising poll numbers to making money to pay for advertising and a whole lot of travelling from state to state.

Hard to truly classify the 'The Political Machine 2008' comes across as some sort of Sim Politician game and could have been written by a young Peter Molyneux, though it would certainly be unfair to call this title a rigid simulation.

The gameplay does however show an acute level of attention to detail and is supported by real world updates charting the flow of the American presidency. Plus more importantly, it's fun. And while graphically this is nothing special, the characters are pleasing enough - reasonably accurate caricatures of who they represent.

Sadly though despite the smooth delivery and topical timing, whether this title works for a gamer depends on whether the subject matter is of interest.

Once the control mechanism of 'The Political Machine 2008' is grasped, progressing through the game's turn based system becomes a simple enough task to master and America can become your oyster.

But if life as a Presidential candidate and the push for office, as oppose to actually being a world leader already, does not appeal than there may not be too much for you here.

Unlike the recent release 'Geo Political Simulator' the scale of this game is minute. And in brutal honesty so is the market, at least outside of North America.

If American elections are a subject particularly relished this game can be a witty and informative distraction. It could even be used as a learning guide.

So if this does sound like something that appeals purchase this retail and support both the publishers who pushed their innovative idea and the retailers who stock the product.