The Political Process

Let's face it: politics aren't fun. It takes some real talent to make something as slow and seemingly uneventful as politics appear entertaining to the general audience. Enter The Political Process, a game where you get to determine the political compass and the future of an entire nation. Sounds interesting? Well, on the surface, no, it doesn't. But trust me, that changes very quickly once you get the hang of things.

The Political Process is just what it says on the tin: a politics simulator that aims to introduce gamers to the alien concept of American politics. As riveting as that sounds, fans of tycoon and managerial sims will find lots to do with the political sandbox of The Political Process – as long as they have the patience to discover everything the game has to offer.

Politics Made Simple

At first glance, the objective of a game like The Political Process should be to make something as complex as managing a country into a walk in the park. You know, kind of how Tropico turns Caribbean-style dictatorships into a pastime. Instead, what you'll find is a comprehensive simulation of everything a real politician should know about the real-life Game of Thrones.

From writing legislation to indulging in a bit of healthy gerrymandering, all's fair in love and war. And politics. You'll need to take your district to the top of the statistics before you can even consider running for the highest office in the country – just like in real life.

Not Quite the Looker

Something that immediately stood out to me about The Political Process is just how (for lack of a better word) bland it looks. The game presents everything as if it was a PowerPoint presentation. While that might be great for some players, it might certainly be enough reason for a good number of casual players to dismiss The Political Process.

I mean, if games like Hearts of Iron IV can make political intrigue "look" interesting, I don't see why The Political Process has to present everything in the most uninteresting way possible. If anything, a friendlier UI would go a long way making this game appeal to a larger audience.

Comprehensive as Can Be

If there's one word that would describe The Political Process, that would be "exhaustive." The game painstakingly recreates how American politics work to the smallest detail, resulting in an experience that you won't find anywhere else.

Rating: 8/10

While it's true that the game has a limited appeal, for the select number of players that love political sims like this, The Political Process is a shining diamond in the rough. The visuals could use some polish, but for what it is, you won't be disappointed with this rather unique game.

Pros

• Painstakingly detailed simulation of the real political process
• Nearly endless possibilities for your campaign
• Exhaustive UI with all the info you'd ever need

Cons

• Not great for beginners
• Can be overwhelming – even for veteran players
• Boring art style

The Political Process is a simulation of a very real political game, which will allow you to familiarize yourself more closely with the precarious career of a deputy. Just like in real life, in the political career simulator your every action will be instantly answered by your colleagues. The step-by-step strategy promises quite a smooth development of your career. Start with one of 40 political positions and make it all the way to the presidential election. Can you handle this level of responsibility?

Pros of the game:

• Choose an entry-level profession and grow in your state
• Take a closer look at the way American government works