no img no img

Write what you are looking for and press enter to begin your search!

Logo
live-news-icon

Live News

Wuthering Waves for PS5 Release Date Revealed: In an intense match, the Lone Wolves came out victorious. Read all about the big night here // Guilty Gear Strive's New Update Ensures Photo Mode Stays Classy: In an intense match, the Lone Wolves came out victorious. Read all about the big night here // Star Wars Outlaws Makes The Kessel Run To Steam: In an intense match, the Lone Wolves came out victorious. Read all about the big night here
post-16 post-13

Politiko Review: The Game of Malaysian Politics

Update 17th May: The app is now available for download on iOS as well.


The next General Election is just around the corner, as Malaysians from all over the nation prepare to vote once again in order to determine the fate of their country. Maybe you’ve heard of the Politiko card game, which is based on the local political scene here. There is actually a mobile game version of Politiko, developed by Centaur Games in collaboration with NightMorning. It is currently available to download for free on the Google Play Store for all Android users.

The goal of the game is simple, you have to win more seats than your opponents and you are given only 8 turns to do so. The game is played on a map of hexagonal shapes, with each building representing voters and a group of them representing a seat. The player controls a seat when they gain control of at least half its voters. The color of each voter represents different demographics like Malay Rural or Chinese Urban. The party you choose determines which demographic of voters that can be controlled.

Politiko Screenshot 5

Players also get scheme cards, just like in the original card game. You can only play 2 schemes per turn. These scheme cards are the main gameplay element of Politiko, as you use different cards to either gain voters or inflict a handicap towards your opponent.

Players can choose between the United Nationalists Front or the People’s Hope Coalition. You can probably guess from the description as to which parties they are analogous in real Malaysian politics. Even the logo is only slightly altered from their real-life counterparts.

Politiko Screenshot 2

What I liked best about Politiko were its funny and charming scheme cards. They were totally the highlight, giving me chuckles every time I see a new card. Each party has its own unique scheme cards, which are extremely hilarious to anyone who understands the local political machinations and keeps up with the latest political scandals. I’ll show you a few examples I came across while playing the game.

Politiko Screenshot 3

*cough* Uncanny resemblance there.

Politiko Screenshot 4

They’re not holding back, are they?

There are over 50 scheme cards in the game, which reflects the real-life political tactics used by local parties. The fun comes from discovering new cards and recognizing the meaning behind each card.

The game is simple and it only took me a game or two to understand the mechanics of the game. It might be a lot simpler compared to the original card game but that could possibly bring in even more players.

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t say the game was extremely easy or anything. I still lost several matches when my opponent surprised me with some good scheme cards, leaving me with nothing to counter with. The AI is competent enough that the tables could be turned against us at any time. With only 8 turns per game, you have to make your choices count.

Politiko Screenshot 6

A totally accurate representation and simulation of Malaysian politics.

One thing that could improve Politiko is the addition of multiplayer or the ability to play against human opponents. For now, you can only play against AI opponents, which could get tired fast for some. In the comments section on the game’s Play Store page, many players are requesting for multiplayer and it looks like we might receive the feature soon if there are enough players to justify it. The game is limited to Android devices for now, but an iOS version is coming soon.

Any Malaysian would have a hoot playing Politiko, especially with the next General Election due next week. Even if you’re not well-versed in local Malaysian politics, the game offers a simple enough premise which provides you with something fun and charming to play in short bursts. If you’re a big political nut, Politiko is totally the game for you. You can also check out our review of the original Politiko card game here, if you’re into the physical stuff.

Score: 75/100

Politiko Screenshot 7

Now you’re ready to enter Malaysian politics. Umm…

 

Related News

post-07
Bleach: Brave Souls Is Coming To PC This Summer

Anime fans burned by the Bleach series can find solace in the mobile iOS and Android game Bleach: Brave Souls, a top-down action RPG title that's as s...

post-07
NetEase Launches Tank Company, A 15v15 Tank Battle Mobile Game

NetEase Games has announced the soft launch of Tank Company, the new 15v15 tank battle game that is available now on Android devices. Tank Company inv...

post-07
Genshin Impact 5.2 Update Flames On Later This November

New tribes are popping up like wildfire in Genshin Impact's nation of Natlan. Genshin Impact's 5.2 update "Tapestry of Spirit and Flame" will featu...

Write a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tournament Tool Kit

Kakuchopurei Community

Popular Posts

post-17
Ultraman Rising’s Ultraman & Emi Are In Gigabash: Check Out Their Moves Here
post-17
Indie Jam Returns for 2024: What You Need To Know
post-17
Vampire Survivors: Ode To Castlevania – All New Weapon Evolutions
post-17
Infinix Teams Up With Honor Of Kings & Mediatek For Pro-Powered Gaming Phone Showcase
post-17
Four Ways to Increase Your Chances of Winning in EA Sports FC 25’s Rush
post-17
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven – Post Game Guide & New Game+
post-17
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge Of The Seven – How To Unlock All Classes & Races
post-17
Diablo 4: Vessel Of Hatred – 10 Ways To Maximize Your Demon-Slaying Fun In Sanctuary
post-17
Metaphor: ReFantazio Endings Guide – How To Avoid All Bad Endings
post-17
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Kurast Undercity Guide
post-17
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: All Runes Tier List
post-17
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Season 6 Classes Ranked & Best Builds
post-17
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: All New Uniques In The Expansion
post-17
From Game Changer To Growth Spurt: Ammobox Studios’ CEO Unveils What’s Next
post-17
The Best PC Games To Play Right Now
post-17
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – What You Need To Know About The Upcoming 2025 Fighting Game From SNK
post-17
Deadpool & Wolverine: Most Iconic Team-Ups & Moments In Comics, Movies & TV
post-17
Main Game: How To Watch Malaysia’s Best Video Game Show Created By Kakuchopurei & RTM
post-17
Hawkeye Episode 6 Finale Easter Eggs & Breakdown
post-17
Marvel’s What If…? Crew Explains Why They Went 3D Over 2D & A Scrapped Episode That Was Too Close To GOTG 3
post-17
We Talk To Hayden Christensen About Star Wars, Sequels, & Prequels
post-17
Sea Of Stars Might Get DLC Post-Launch
post-17
The Book Of Boba Fett Episode 7 Breakdown & Easter Eggs Explained