Obey The Trump

Ever since The Apprentice debuted in early 2004, it's been a smash success and has gained much publicity for billionaire Donald Trump. It seems like a video gamed based on the popular series was inevitable. Well, here it is. How well does it capture the tense atmosphere and daunting challenges of the reality show? Suprisingly well, actually. The complex nature of the business tasks set forth in the show would make it a hard subject to translate to a video game, but they've really out done themselves, and The Apprentice game truly does feel like you're participating in the show.

When the game starts, you choose what team you would like to be on. These teams and their members are actual contestants from past seasons of the show, and the familiarity helps you get into the overall experience. Then you're introduced to the man himself, Donald John Trump, and his two associates, Carolyn Kepcher and George H. Ross. Donald informs you that this isn't a game, but a job interview. His firm demeanor carries over well to his in-game cartoon image, and he's just as terrifying here as he is on the show. With the fear of the Trump in you, you're given your first challenge.

The game is divided into eight different tasks, with the eighth referred two as the "final task." As in the show, after each challenge, a member of the losing team is fired. As the number of contestants dwindles, you must keep your team afloat by winning all of the tasks set forth by Trump, or risk having a member of your team fired, possibly even yourself.

Let's Do Business

There are over a dozen challenging mini-games that will test your skills and determine if you live to see another day (of employment that is). Some will have you manafacturing goods to sell. In one level I was in charge of running a factory that produced lamps. What this boiled down to was running the conveyor belts and assembling the lamp parts in the correct order, but it was challenging nonetheless. Another task had me running a small ice cream parlor on a busy summer day. I had to watch the customers carefully to see what they wanted and then quickly prepare their order before they got impatient and left. I had to multitask taking orders, preparing orders, and collecting payment. It was very fact-paced and had me on my feet the whole time- figuratively speaking, of course.

One of the most challenging tasks that I was given (and the most business-like) was to buy goods at one place in they city, then take the subway to another place in the city and sell them for a higher price. Out of all the games, this one gave me the most legitimate sense of doing business, and also where The Apprentice reaches its high point.

The Apprentice is not an exact replica of the TV show. The themes and subjects covered in the show just can't be translated properly to a video game, but for what it's worth; this game does a pretty good job of it. With the multiple business tasks and inclusion of Donald Trump, it definitely captures the feel of the television series. And, above all else, it's loads of fun!