Good Civil War strategy games

[Don Corleone]

I know there's the classic Sid Mier games: Gettysburg! and Antietam! Anybody else know of any other ones worth buying? I heard the History Channel civil war game SUCKED @$$.

[lars573]

American Conquest: Divided Nation is worth the $40 it costs. And it covers more tha just the ACW, it also covers the Mexican American war (IE it includes Texas and Mexico as playable nations).

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I didn't get it, but there was a recommendation for a game based on the Battle of Bull Run that looked a lot like Gettysburg & Anteitem - actually, I played the demo. Pretty good, I just never followed through.

The thread.

The website.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I thought Civil War Generals 2 was good back in the day.

Crazed Rabbit

[GeneralHankerchief]

Bull Run wasn't too bad- it kinda reminded me of a less... good Total War game with only the battles.

Robert E. Lee: Civil War General is good nostalgia. Turn based, hexagrammed (is that the right word?) battlefield, funny clips.

[econ21]

Age of Rifles had a lot of ACW battles in it and was pretty good if you like a little retro-gaming. (It was of the Steel Panthers era). You can find it as abandonware and I can say that without feeling guilt as the game designer (Norm Koger) publicly announced his support for abandonware sometime back (the publisher, SSI, had gone bust). The game is turn-based, hex-based, with 3 scales, focusing on the battles. It was pretty realistic (with the oldrules flag) although subject to the usual limitation of IGO-UGO games. One of the best things about it was the editor, which spawned literally hundreds of user made scenarios. I made a Shiloh scenario (at a larger scale than the one that came with the game). I particularly enjoyed the Napoleonic ones (out of period for the game, but still fun). One of the best things about the game was how quick and fun it was to play - rather like Panzer General and Steel Panthers. One some scales, you could fight an exciting battle like Bull Run in a couple of hours (unlike the glacial Talonsoft Battleground games).

There's also an old strategic ACW game ACW: 1861-1865 made available free on the internet by its designer, Frank Hunter. But it looked a little too old school for me - the kind of thing you have to read a manual to play. I guess I've gotten lazy.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

http://www.dhq.nu/hutsell/vga.htm

This was actually the first game I really played. Enjoyed it very much, it's available for free download here.

[octavian]

http://www.madminutegames.com/

[Marshal Murat]

Civil War Generals was a very nice game
It is a turn based, hex map game.
Battles involve small battle clips, then results of battle.

The game is nice if you enjoy both a strategy and turn based tactical game.

I can remeber one game.

I had a couple brigades and a couple artillery. I had more brigades following mine. I established a small line with refused flanks, and let the enemy attack. Then, more men appeared, and I stretched the enemy, and stretched, and stretched. Finally, I amassed my artillery fire, and launched my final column of men into the center of the enemy forces. Smashed it open, and my men followed them off the battlefield.

[TB666]

I thought Civil War Generals 2 was good back in the day.

I second this.
I still got that game on my computer and it still one of the best Civil war games ever made IMO.
I like that the game is very dynamic and the AI is very good as well.

[Zanderpants]

I thought Civil War Generals 2 was good back in the day.

Crazed Rabbit

Oh man, that game brings back memories. I've still got it too. The very best Civil War game, most definetly. I never tried #2 though. It looked good

[Marshal Murat]

#2 is larger scale (Vicksburg) and a helluva bunch more scenarios.
Ships, forts, larger artillery, alot better than five maps.

[BHCWarman88]

I know there's the classic Sid Mier games: Gettysburg! and Antietam! Anybody else know of any other ones worth buying? I heard the History Channel civil war game SUCKED @$$.

Sid Mier Games are Execellent,I got Gettysburgh and I love it. I like to get Antieam off of Ebay or Amazon or something one day..

I buy the History Channel One,and it sucked..

[doc_bean]

There's a civil war mod for Medieval (link). I haven't tried it yet so I can't comment.

[TB666]

http://www.madminutegames.com/

Second this one as well.
Just got it and it is a very good

[Dunhill]

I've just discovered Take Command 2nd Manassas (the Mad Minute Games link posted above). It is in my opinion one of the best computer wargames I've ever played.

It can best be described as a tactical field simulation. You take command of either a brigade, a division or a corp of either side. The battle realism is better than the TW series, and I've been playing TW for a long, long time now (see join date).

I updated my machine to 2 GB of RAM just to play it with all the bells and whistles. In fact, the designers made this game to be easily modded, and frequently post assistance on thier forums on how to mod. It is a far cry from other game developers. These guys actually talk to the players about how to improve the game (http://www.madminutegames.com/MadMinuteBB/index.php).

I can't say enough about how much I like the game. It's only single player at the moment, and there isn't a strategic layer but these are both in the works. At this time folks are madding like mad, for full real one sprie = one man battles of full armies.

I strongly suggest you have a look at this game if ou like the civil war or even the Napoleanic era (all sprites/uniforms are moddable) give it a go.

Cheers,

[Eternal Champion]

I'd also like to plug Mad Minute's 2nd Manassas game. It is everything a CW game should be, right down to sending out couriers to deliver your orders including the delay and hazard (chance of being killed). The AI is very good and the combat system, including moral, experience and leader traits / skill, seems damn near spot on.

You can play single scenarios, linked scenarios, or open play that includes moddable OOB's. For guys that talk about huge battles this game supports really huge battles. The standard scale is is 1:10 for Inf, Arty is 1:1, and guys have had the entire OOB for Gettysburg on the map at one time.

[Lehesu]

I shall also shower kudos upon Civil War Generals II. Excellent, elegant hex system, and also the scope feels just right. Grand tactical would be the right word.

[The Scourge]

Just got 2nd Manassas as well .Haven't really had time to get into it as yet ,but it seems like a first rate game from what I've played of it so far .

Always thought that the AI of Civil War Generals 2 ,was what let it down .

[Eternal Champion]

Just got 2nd Manassas as well .Haven't really had time to get into it as yet ,but it seems like a first rate game from what I've played of it so far .

Always thought that the AI of Civil War Generals 2 ,was what let it down .

I still have CW2 on my computer too, and agree that the AI is a little weak.

[ShadesWolf]

Do you have any more guys ?


I had a few of the Talonsoft battleground games that I really enjoyed. Do yoiu know of any more like these type ?

[Dunhill]

If you like counter-based games, then have a look at the ACW titles from HPS. these games are great for PBEM, and there are a few online communities that play these exclusivley. Finding and PBEM opponent would be rather easy.

The AI in the HPS games isn't too bad, but I've not played that much against it. I mostly played via email.

[Eternal Champion]

If you like counter-based games, then have a look at the ACW titles from HPS. these games are great for PBEM, and there are a few online communities that play these exclusivley. Finding and PBEM opponent would be rather easy.

The AI in the HPS games isn't too bad, but I've not played that much against it. I mostly played via email.

I just bought a couple strictly for PBEM as they looked pretty good and the clubs are active. Haven't had a chance to get into them yet, to get a feel though.

[UglyandHasty]

I've just discovered Take Command 2nd Manassas (the Mad Minute Games link posted above). It is in my opinion one of the best computer wargames I've ever played.

It can best be described as a tactical field simulation. You take command of either a brigade, a division or a corp of either side. The battle realism is better than the TW series, and I've been playing TW for a long, long time now (see join date).

I updated my machine to 2 GB of RAM just to play it with all the bells and whistles. In fact, the designers made this game to be easily modded, and frequently post assistance on thier forums on how to mod. It is a far cry from other game developers. These guys actually talk to the players about how to improve the game (http://www.madminutegames.com/MadMinuteBB/index.php).

I can't say enough about how much I like the game. It's only single player at the moment, and there isn't a strategic layer but these are both in the works. At this time folks are madding like mad, for full real one sprie = one man battles of full armies.

I strongly suggest you have a look at this game if ou like the civil war or even the Napoleanic era (all sprites/uniforms are moddable) give it a go.

Cheers,

I try it yesterday eve, and i have just one word, wow ! I'll buy this baby ! Thanks for the link.

[Marshal Murat]

Re-installed CWG 2
Really enjoyed it (again)
I looked around, and actually found enhancements for it (mods pretty much)
Cool, but lacked some of the original parts.

[Mithradates]

Has Mannassas got no mulit player whats so ever, i mean could you play a lan one or is there just no online multiplayer?

[UglyandHasty]

There's no multiplayer yet, but they are working on it. Heard they're about to Beta-test it. I bought it lastweek, and even in singleplayer, its a hell of a game. Battle are so great, its been years since a game keep my on my pc till the late hours.

[Divine Wind]

There's no multiplayer yet, but they are working on it. Heard they're about to Beta-test it. I bought it lastweek, and even in singleplayer, its a hell of a game. Battle are so great, its been years since a game keep my on my pc till the late hours.

Oh god, cant believe you just said that.

Five minutes before i ordered it, my mum said "Its not going to be one of those games that keeps you up till the early hours is it?"

Oh bugger.

[UglyandHasty]

hahaha prepare to go to bed very late(or early in the morning) If you like, you'll be like (ok just one more hour so i can get that objective), then ( gah one more those darn Johny Rebels!! )

[Dooz]

Boy oh boy, 2nd Manassas is a hell of a game indeed. Just finished the demo (2 tutorials, 1 battle) and I'm blown away. The best battle simulator ever, without a doubt. I'm highly tempted to order the game right away, but I think I'll wait for the next version which might have multiplayer... even though it's such a great game even without multiplayer, I might just get it.


-edit-
If the Total War series games were based on the engine of Take Command (War3D engine), they would truly be the ultimate war games. No more AI gripes, units moving too fast, kill speeds too fast, unrealistic battles... ah, the beauty. Just thinking about it makes me go nuts. I wish TW will eventually progress to a system more like Take Command. Perfection.