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It Takes Clams to Run a Political Race
Product: Hail to the Chimp
Company: Gamecock Media
Date: 03/17/2008
Avaliable On:

In an election year as heated as this one is, it is only fitting we see a game like Hail to the Chimp. This game takes the punch out of the real election and lets you throw a few yourself. This good looking and fun to play party game is full of wit and satire that you cannot pass up. Brought to you by the same minds behind Stubbs the Zombie, this game is going to be the life of the party. What could be more fitting than a game that depicts the battle to become president as well... a battle?

I had the opportunity to get my hands on this game during Gamecock's EIEIO eveny before SXSW in Austin, TX. The look and feel of this game is very much like playing a beautifully constructed cartoon. From the look and feel to the sound, they left no stone unturned. Every aspect showed polish and an effort for a classic look and unique design. It didn't hurt playing on giant HDTV's.

In Hail to the Chimp, it is all about the party, politically and literally. Choose your candidate and vie for the presidency of the animal kingdom. This is a four-player party game with many battle royale games with both cooperative and every man for themselves styles of gameplay. The game is played as if you were watching it all unfold on the animal's version of CNN called GRR. It takes the clams to make the political wheels move, and when it is all said and done, he who has the clams wins.

What would a political campaign be without a little mud slinging? Well as luck would have it, this game encompasses all of the same aspects of the civilized, human election process. They have beautifully constructed slander campaigns that are just as vague and unbelievable as the real thing. The game is worth it alone for its rich, satirical look at the political process, but when you throw in the truly creative gameplay, and well-designed levels, you have a complete package for fun.

Hail to the Chimp will find its way to the XBOX 360 and PS3 consoles soon. With 10 candidates and plenty of games, there is a ton of replayability in this game. Yes as a designed party game, replay should be inherent. But, even with the single player campaign mode, there is a ton of material you can get through with features like GRR on demand, where you can watch all of the ads and mere campaigns; there is just a lot of funny material and great gameplay to last you until the next election. There are also accessories that can be gained during play to add flair to your candidate.

No election year should pass without being made fun of. Hell, Saturday Night Live wouldn't exist without the ability to do so. Take out all of your own political frustrations with this unique, dynamic and fun game. I hope to see this as a great start to a terrific series that will outlast some other party games that may star a plumber, spiny rodents or whatever may come.

WUMPUSJAGGER aka Bryon Lloyd

GameVortex PSIllustrated