The Political Machine 2016 (2016)

Developer: Stardock Entertainment
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Casual, Indie, Simulation, Strategy
Rating: 3.8 of 5, 706 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 5.3 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A satirical, turn-based strategy game where you manage a presidential campaign, balancing resources and public opinion to win the election.

satiricalturn-basedstrategiccompetitivelightheartedpoliticalmanagementmultiplayer

What players say

Players report the game is a near-identical re-release of The Political Machine 2012 with only updated candidates and minor UI tweaks. Long-time fans are disappointed that basic features like primaries, debates, and third-party candidates never appeared, though many still find the fast-paced election simulation fun and enjoy creating custom characters.

Screenshots

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More by Stardock Entertainment

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.