Parents' Guide to

The Political Machine 2012

By Chris Morris, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Kids experience civics by building a dream candidate.

Game Windows 2012
The Political Machine 2012 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

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The Political Machine 2012 won't turn people who can't stand politics into political animals, but if you've got even a passing interest in the process of governing, it's a fun (and semi-educational) look at how leaders are selected. There are a lot of moving parts to keep up with -- from finances to political operatives to endorsements to stump speeches -- but it's well organized and never becomes overwhelming. Political Machine 2012 lets players focus on how best to communicate with voters. Do your views mesh with theirs? Should you pander? Should you go on the offense and run a vicious attack campaign? The strength of the game is you have the opportunity to do each and see which is the most effective way to win.

And while it's fun to run as Obama and Romney, it's equally fun to play "what if" scenarios -- such as if Donald Trump or Michelle Obama were the candidates instead. It may not predict the results of November, but it will put you in control of the candidates, if only for a short while.

Game Details

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