It always amazes me how games can take something that might seem like a difficult concept to turn into a game and make it shine.  Such is certainly the case with President Forever: 2004, a game that takes what might be considered a somewhat un-enjoyable subject and turns it into a tremendously fun simulation.  In this game you take the role of a presidential hopeful as you attempt to make your way to the White House.  Your competition will either be computer or human players who conspire against you attempting to keep you from making that successful campaign.  In fact you can play up to 4 players in this game, with some players taking on the roll of lesser known independent candidates. 

Though the game initially starts with this year's election and candidates that will be familiar to all, including Bush, Kerry, and Nadar.  In the game you choose your running mate, so you can thankfully drop Cheney for Powell, and then you set out on the campaign trail. 

You determine your line of attack, research topics, deliver speeches and choose the states that you are going to focus you, your vice president and campaigners one.  There is a plethora of options available to you, but you must remember to keep things under control.  Spend your energy or your budget too soon and you will find yourself limping towards the finish line.

I immediately choose to change my platform when taking on the game, making George Bush a little more concerned about affairs at home and renewable energy instead of big business.  Doing so immediately got a response in the papers, but after a well-researched ad campaign was put together I regained a lot of steam and started taking states that Bush isn't likely to capture on election day.

President Forever: 2004 is actually the sequel to President Forever: 2000, taking lessons learned in that game and improving the overall game.  Though some music would be nice it would likely just get turned off anyway.  The graphics do a fine job of presenting everything to you, but are only a little better than serviceable.  The big win here for games is a game that is a real treat to play and lest you think that this game is limited in its game play value, scenarios have been built in to provide some challenges through history such as the 1960 campaign between Nixon and Kennedy. 

Between the easy to pick-up, well-designed game play and the very solid player involvement in this game, not to mention the chance to campaign against your wife or friends, it's not hard to see why  I heartily endorse this game!  For just $12 you will get hours of enjoyment out of this one, making the price of admission a wonderful bargain.