5 Games That Have You Playing As the President

Saints Row IV

In Saints Row IV, you’re not the average United States president. You’re a virtual superhero with devastating powers who has to fend of an alien invasion under the leadership of Zinyak, all within a simulated world that proudly takes ques from The Matrix.

It received quite some backlash from fans since this entry took the series in a completely over-the-top direction compared to the more grounded, gang-based setting of its predecessors. Go in without any prior knowledge, however, and Saints Row IV is nothing short of mayhem-ridden fun.

The Political Machine 2016

The Political Machine 2016 is a simulation game that has you creating your very own candidate. Your main goal is to win over the hearts of the public by giving speeches and going on talkshows, all while hiring staff and managing your general team.

It’s obvious that The Political Machine 2016 is a slight parody of this year’s elections, but regardless, it’s still a surprisingly well-constructed simulation game that requires some tactical thinking and very basic political knowledge.

Tropico 5

Tropico 5 is what you get when you mix the Civilization series with a more isolated political theme. In it, you play as the aptly named El Presidente as you manage and expand your titular island nation.

There are trades to establish, science to research and contacts to maintain, which makes Tropico 5 one of the more strategically demanding games on this list. Previous Tropico titles deliver similar experiences, but as with any proper sequel, Tropico 5 builds upon its predecessors by adding new features and mechanics.

Political Animals

Political Animals is similar to The Political Machine 2016 in a lot of aspects, but it feels different enough to warrant it an entry on this list. You take control of an animal, expanding its political influences by hopping between states and managing your staff to ensure an optimal campaign.

It features a rather humorous style, but don’t let that fool you. Political Animals tackles tons of engaging mechanics like the public image and even adds the possibility of corruption to increase your chances of winning the election.

Democracy 3

At first glance, Democracy 3 looks overly complex to provide an enjoyable experience, and it’s most definitely a game that appeals to a very specific audience. However, because of its complexity, it delivers the most engrossing political simulator you can find today.

Democracy 3 forces you to make tons of difficult choices, dealing with crime, education, dept, and tons of other political issues. See it as a mix between the Civilization series and Cities: Skylines, trading in city management for more precise crowd control. Will you increase the college tuition fees to better your agricultural production, or vice versa?