The Political Machine 2008 Critic Reviews

Political junkies will almost certainly find themselves sucked in, along with those who have only a smattering of knowledge about the American political process.

The game’s straightforward interface, light sense of humor and cute graphics might be sufficiently charming to engage and possibly teach a thing or two to players who are moderately interested in electoral politics.

PM08's sense of humor, topical subject matter, and discount price ($19.99) make it a candidate I'd happily endorse.

Makes you feel clever.

Occasionally veers on gimmickery, but it's genuinely a smart, novel strategy game. Well worth a turn on your rig.

An excellent addition to a strategy fan's library. Though is forgoes the engines of war most often associated with those titles, it offers an intensely interesting, fast-paced and addictive distraction.

Folks whose interest piques upon hearing the words “political simulator” and missed the original would do well to give the 2008 edition a shot.

Political junkies and board-game fans should love The Political Machine 2008, even if it is a bit too close for comfort to its predecessor.

Still, at 20 bucks it’s a safe bet for political junkies who want to test their mettle and there is a solid strategy game underneath all of the cutesy bobbleheads.

For twenty bucks, The Political Machine 2008 isn't necessarily a bad deal, but it's a one-note affair that inhabits that misty gray region between comfortable familiarity and dull predictability.

The combination of clever, strategic gameplay with hopelessly niche subject matter almost guarantees cult classic status for this one. But Political Machine 2008 is definitely worth playing, particularly if you're a fan of politics -- no other game to date better represents our embattled system.

A really solid "beer & pretzels" strategy game.

Political Machine has a major flaw, its low replay value, as each game varies very little, and aside the "unlockable" content, there are few reasons to play single-player.

Aligning yourself with special interest groups, hiring different political aides, and participating in television interviews add even more depth to the already somewhat convoluted experience, but without these options it wouldn’t really feel like politics.

The Political Machine 2008 is best suited to those in the board game crowd with a decided interest in politics.

You’ve a solid game that, whilst incredibly similar to its forerunner, brings the series up to date, especially in such a historic US election. Just don’t expect too much deviation as every play-through is anything but a winding road.

A new Political Machine for 2008, this turn-based election strategy game is light, fun, and amusing. While it may not have a lot of lasting appeal, it certainly makes for a fun way to spend a few afternoons.

Simplified and exaggerated simulation of the most important elections in the world. You can learn a lot about the American electoral system, but if you are familiar to the previous installment you won’t find much new content.

With more focus on the real-world conflicts and unpredictable events that plague campaigns, running for office might be a bit less tiresome.