I couldn't wait for this game to come out. It seemed to be the political strategy game I've been looking for. Very few games have been published dealing with politics outside of the American elections. I really don't want to run for President and kiss babies in PC games. I want to get into the politics in its truest sense: the intrigue, the tyranny, climbing the ladder if I have to, going to war, and, best of all, messing with the population (because I had a bad day).
Not to get all political about political games (ironic, isn't it?), but there is a world of politics out there other than US Presidential elections and Democrats versus Republicans. That world includes real life ideologies like socialism, communism, fascism, social democracy, greens, and lib-dems. There are nations, if you simply look through the online CIA World Factbook, that bear no resemblance in politics to our own American system. Some of them are quite interesting, in fact. Imagine that - a world that exists outside our own little bubble!
But I digress. Some of the first geo-political and political simulators I loved were Shadow President, Cyber Judas, Crisis in the Kremlin, and of course a really fun and humorous political simulator, Tropico. Tropico was what I was looking for in almost every way, except that there was no real political party or parliamentary mechanic, but I suppose that fits considering it was a dictator simulator, afterall. Then Superpower 2 came along and I was amazed. It included things like laws, more advanced warfare, a constitution, political parties and even an editor that would allow you to mod the game's massive database with your own material. Want to make Pennsylvania an independent country under you as its King with a new flag? Can be done! and easily too.
The main draw back of the game was that the economic system had a tendency to explode and produce really astronomical results and the fact is that you could change the system of government and the laws on a whim. I like more realism and challenge. I wanted some sort of Congress or Parliament standing in my way as I manipulate the masses into tyranny.
So along comes this game. It has everything I could have ever wanted in a political game, containing elements from my favorite ones thus far, such as being able to create a cult of personality, requiring that all public places have your portrait somewhere. There are also ways to mess with your population. You have a large list of laws you can pass that essentially makes the country a police state.
Here are the Pros:
Link to the Game's developer...
Not to get all political about political games (ironic, isn't it?), but there is a world of politics out there other than US Presidential elections and Democrats versus Republicans. That world includes real life ideologies like socialism, communism, fascism, social democracy, greens, and lib-dems. There are nations, if you simply look through the online CIA World Factbook, that bear no resemblance in politics to our own American system. Some of them are quite interesting, in fact. Imagine that - a world that exists outside our own little bubble!
But I digress. Some of the first geo-political and political simulators I loved were Shadow President, Cyber Judas, Crisis in the Kremlin, and of course a really fun and humorous political simulator, Tropico. Tropico was what I was looking for in almost every way, except that there was no real political party or parliamentary mechanic, but I suppose that fits considering it was a dictator simulator, afterall. Then Superpower 2 came along and I was amazed. It included things like laws, more advanced warfare, a constitution, political parties and even an editor that would allow you to mod the game's massive database with your own material. Want to make Pennsylvania an independent country under you as its King with a new flag? Can be done! and easily too.
The main draw back of the game was that the economic system had a tendency to explode and produce really astronomical results and the fact is that you could change the system of government and the laws on a whim. I like more realism and challenge. I wanted some sort of Congress or Parliament standing in my way as I manipulate the masses into tyranny.
So along comes this game. It has everything I could have ever wanted in a political game, containing elements from my favorite ones thus far, such as being able to create a cult of personality, requiring that all public places have your portrait somewhere. There are also ways to mess with your population. You have a large list of laws you can pass that essentially makes the country a police state.
Here are the Pros:
- half-decent 3d graphics for a strategy game developed by a small company
- you can customize the names, logos, and initials the political parties and all organizations and people in any country.
- large selection of countries from the United States to Sri Lanka to the Fiji Islands.
- if you love numbers and statistics -- boy, there are a lot!
- war is fairly simple. You can choose to direct the units yourself, or have your top generals (AI) do it.
- Manage every aspect of the nation -- EVERYTHING down to sports clubs and Youth groups
- You can pick to display the money in the country's currency or another major currency like US Dollars, Euros or British Pounds.
- You can hire and fire your cabinet and advisers at your pleasure. You can even appoint ministers from other political parties or from crime syndicates
- You can alter the country's constitution -- though it needs to be approved by parliament
- You can dismiss the parliament if they annoy you enough (and if you have that constitutional power) but new elections are immediately called
- you can even do away with parliament entire and rule by decree
- You can declare martial law and beat up protesters and have opposition party members arrested
- Propose all sorts of laws on issues like religion, contraception, cults, pensions, immigration, racism, you name it!
- realistic weather paterns -- even weather!!!
- Difficult even in "newbie" mode. It's rather easy to get booted from power by popular revolts or military coups.
- The game is just too expensive. I thought it was going to be 39.99. Well, it was -- in EUROS!!! I ended up really paying $62 USD for this game. And I don't even spend that much on games with a Hollywood-esqe budget!
- Game needs a lot of bug fixes, including crashing issues, memory leaks, and poor translation
- You cannot modify your starting political party, nor can you modify the ideology of parties. Other than changing names and logos, there isn't much customization.
- Super duper micro management. It seems those ministers in your cabinet are rather useless. You have to tweak the entire economy.
- This game, unlike Civilization IV, will not assist you in dealing with foreign emissaries.
- Can't make your own scenarios.
Link to the Game's developer...
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