The Political Process

About

The Political Process is a single player strategy game. It was developed by Verlumino Studios LLC and was released on November 22, 2019. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"The Political Process" is a serious game that simulates the experience of running for public office. Players must navigate policy debates, fundraising, and media relations while trying to maintain their integrity and gain the support of the electorate. With its focus on the complexities and trade-offs of governance, the game encourages players to think critically about the political process and its impact on society.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

+56

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,878 reviews

gameplay30 positive mentions

graphics9 negative mentions

Incredibly detailed simulation of US politics with a lot of depth and replayability.
Active developer who regularly updates the game and engages with the community for feedback.
Offers a unique experience of running for various political offices, from local to federal levels.

User interface can be clunky and overwhelming for new players, making navigation difficult.
Gameplay can become repetitive after a while, especially once players have mastered the mechanics.
Lacks certain features like a dynamic political landscape, independent parties, and significant random events.

gameplay
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
73%
6%
The gameplay of this political simulation game is characterized by its intricate mechanics involving campaign strategy, policy-making, and governance, offering a detailed yet sometimes overwhelming experience. While players appreciate the depth and realism of election mechanics, many note that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks certain dynamic elements, such as crisis management and more engaging interactions. Overall, the game is seen as a solid foundation with potential for growth, especially given the developer's commitment to ongoing updates and improvements.
- “The best political simulation game that I have ever encountered, it combines interesting election mechanics with governing in a unique way.”
- “This game offers so much realism, in-depth gameplay, and customization; it's insane.”
- “The election mechanics themselves are well crafted and well simulated, and with the latest update, three different difficulty settings for elections let you tailor your experience.”
- “Election mechanics are extremely bare bones and governing just doesn't feel rewarding.”
- “The game looks mediocre, the gameplay gets repetitive quickly, and I really want the simulation to be more expansive with even more laws and mechanics.”
- “Unfortunately, while the game is broad in its scale and ambition, it is shallow as a puddle in terms of gameplay, options, and variety.”
graphics
101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
83%
9%
The graphics in the game are generally described as simplistic and minimal, often compared to basic spreadsheets or PowerPoint presentations, which may deter players seeking a visually rich experience. While the user interface can be clunky and overwhelming due to the heavy reliance on text and data, some players appreciate the focus on gameplay mechanics and the depth of political simulation over aesthetic appeal. Overall, the graphics are considered serviceable but lack polish, with many reviewers expressing a desire for improvements in visual presentation.
- “The graphics are basic but serviceable.”
- “The art style for the characters works well.”
- “The games aesthetics are simplistic, which I find complements the gameplay rather than detracting in any great scale.”
- “Graphics are basically non-existent, and the UI can be clunky and hard to navigate at times.”
- “On the surface, it doesn’t look like much—the user interface is flat and simple, and there’s nothing flashy about the graphics.”
- “The lack of sound design, music, and graphical polish may be off-putting to players accustomed to more sensory-rich experiences.”
monetization
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
98%
The monetization aspect of the game is heavily centered around campaign management, where players can allocate funds to various advertising strategies, including attack ads and promotional content. While players appreciate the depth of the advertising mechanics, many express frustration over the perceived imbalance, noting that even significant financial investment in ads does not guarantee electoral success. Overall, the system encourages strategic spending and engagement with public opinion, but players feel that the effectiveness of ads and campaign strategies could be improved for a more balanced experience.
- “I desperately want to disagree with those who complain that the elections are only driven by big money and your popularity derived from bloated advertising budgets, but only because they are completely correct about all of it.”
- “Regardless of my name recognition, money spent, advertising, and policy popularity, I always came 3-5 points short in the lower races (board of ed, city council) and usually got trounced by an incumbent in any higher races (20-30 point loss).”
- “It's such an unplayable game during any election since it's so difficult even if you pour millions (I poured 4 trillion even with cheat engine) of money into your ads.”
replayability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
61%
9%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its diverse career paths, randomly generated politicians, and extensive customization options. Players can explore various ideological choices and gameplay styles, enhancing the experience with each update. However, some users noted limitations in policy customization and relationship-building that could impact long-term replay value. Overall, it is regarded as one of the most in-depth and replayable political simulators available.
- “The breadth of career paths and political engagement types is impressive and provides genuine replayability.”
- “The ability to shape a character’s career path and influence policy decisions adds a high level of replayability.”
- “The depth of the game is what makes it so incredible, and allows for seemingly endless replayability.”
- “This was a hefty endeavor and I am impressed with what was included; however, the lack of customization when it comes to policy, or the ability to build relationships to influence legislation at different levels (like a school board lobbying state regarding education policy) limits the replay value of the game.”
- “Nothing ever changes, and the replayability value is nada.”
- “Pretty cool for what it is, but there are two major issues that need to be fixed that make the game stale and less replayable at the moment.”
story
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
74%
13%
The game's story aspect is largely driven by player agency, allowing users to craft their own narratives through political mechanics like gerrymandering and campaign finance. While some players find the lack of a traditional storyline limiting, others appreciate the opportunity to engage in a "choose your own adventure" style of storytelling, enhancing their experience through world-building and mission completion. Overall, the enjoyment comes from the ability to shape personal stories within a politically charged environment.
- “This game might look boring, but if you love politics and if you love creating your own story, this game is for you.”
- “Gerrymandering, media manipulation, campaign finance controversies, lobbying, and populism are all present, not as plot devices but as game mechanics.”
- “Being the megalomaniac you are, you then take it one step further and sprinkle in a little of the 'choose your own adventure' style storytelling from a 'suzerian' to complete this blended masterpiece.”
- “☑ no story”
- “Adding more statewide offices or giving more agency to appointed offices would go miles in adding roleplaying and storytelling to the game.”
- “I think the joy comes from writing my own story.”
grinding
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
21%
74%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that it can feel overwhelming and time-consuming. While some enjoy the grind, especially fans of similar games, others find it detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration with the amount of clicking and the need for extensive time investment. Overall, the grind can be a double-edged sword, offering depth for some while becoming a chore for others.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Pretty grindy and repetitive; it can feel a bit tedious at times.”
- “Very repetitive and tedious gameplay.”
- “The game can get a bit tedious and boring after a while.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The music in the game has been criticized for its lack of variety and engagement, with players noting that the repetitive four loops of mellow piano music fail to enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers expressed a desire for a more dynamic soundtrack, suggesting that the current audio design feels bland and uninspired, often leading players to seek their own background music. Overall, the minimal sound design detracts from the game's immersive potential.
- “Such a fun game! I do wish there was more music to keep it from being so bland, but other than that, the game itself can be fun.”
- “I get so drawn in, I don't even notice the minimal sound/music.”
- “You have to provide your own background music (if you’re into that sort of thing).”
- “The lack of sound design, music, and graphical polish may be off-putting to players accustomed to more sensory-rich experiences.”
- “The sound is nothing but four loops of mellow piano music which do nothing for the mood of the game.”
- “-lack of music, same as above the 4 tracks this early access game came with is repetitive and boring, fast.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its satirical take on politics, with players finding amusement in absurd scenarios such as a spouse winning multiple presidential terms and the lack of consequences for political decisions. The comedic elements often stem from the juxtaposition of serious topics like human rights with lighthearted gameplay experiences, making for a fun and entertaining experience. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to blend humor with political satire.
- “Oh and my wife was elected president for two terms even after I could not win the nomination myself, which was pretty funny.”
- “Normally I write satirical reviews of games, where I put my genuine opinion, but use this space to try and write something funny.”
- “First run through was fun and funny, kinda lost a few elections.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, frequently freezing during critical actions such as loading elections and saving progress. Users report persistent bugs that hinder gameplay, indicating that it remains in a problematic early access state.
- “The game frequently freezes when it tries to load an election, and it also often freezes when you try to save a game.”
- “If you click 'quick save', it won't let you do anything else in the game and freezes.”
- “Though it is buggy, which is frustrating at times.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Character development in the game features simple yet enjoyable designs, with some players appreciating the character designer's work despite criticisms regarding the overall aesthetic and user interface. While the character designs may not be visually impressive to all, they contribute positively to the game's appeal for certain users.
- “I actually like the character designer, personally.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Users highlight that the atmosphere of the game is significantly enhanced by its immersive sound design and thematic music, which evoke a sense of ceremony and tension, particularly during pivotal moments like election nights. This attention to auditory detail contributes to a compelling and engaging experience that resonates with players.
- “Every election night, I play the NBC election theme; it really helps to create a ceremonial atmosphere.”
- “The game's haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the eerie visuals, immersing you in a truly captivating atmosphere.”
- “The attention to detail in the environment design creates a rich and immersive atmosphere that draws you in from the moment you start playing.”
- “The game lacks any real atmosphere, making it feel flat and uninspired.”
- “I expected a rich, immersive environment, but everything feels lifeless and dull.”
- “The sound design is underwhelming, failing to enhance the atmosphere in any meaningful way.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes strong emotional responses through its idealistic and wholesome simulation, particularly highlighting the heartbreak of narrowly losing an election. Players appreciate the depth of emotional engagement, suggesting that the game's full potential may be realized as it continues to develop in early access.
- “And it's just as heartbreaking to lose an election by only a fraction of a percent.”
- “A surprisingly idealistic and wholesome simulation, where you feel deeply connected to the outcomes.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its good performance, indicating that it runs smoothly and efficiently on a variety of systems.
- “The game's optimization is impressive, allowing for smooth performance even on lower-end hardware.”
- “I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it runs seamlessly without any noticeable lag.”
- “The developers have done a fantastic job with optimization, ensuring a stable frame rate and quick load times.”

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24h Median play time

116h Average play time

10-157h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Political Process is a strategy game.

The Political Process is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 116 hours playing The Political Process.

The Political Process was released on November 22, 2019.

The Political Process was developed by Verlumino Studios LLC.

The Political Process has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its graphics.

The Political Process is a single player game.

Similar games include Democracy 4, Democracy 3, Football Coach: College Dynasty, Lawgivers, The Political Machine 2020 and others.

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