Atmosphere

[madgamer2]

Yeah that stuff that people say about not being drawn in, or a game not feeling like the period it is supposed to. All that is well and good for those wh seem to think it is important but it reminds me of the guy I knew who used to race slot cars with me. This guy would dress up like some race car driver (helmet and the whole thing) and even made motor sounds. Well ok this may be a bit far fetched.
What is important is how the game plays in respect to history. This is where comparing FoF and ACW gets interesting because they are both great games but both take a totally different tack to simulate the Civil War.
FoF is a sort of "dial Your Own War" kind of approach and looks to me to be a game designed with the war in mind but creating a whole different concept with there not being a true "HISTORICAL" scenario per say, The game can be played by creating a setting where both sides have a equal chance to win from the get go, or favoring one side and anywhere in between. With the research and economic sub games It adds a whole new way to play a Civil War computer game. Is it historical? not really but it is a great game. I have much trouble with understanding parts of it like the victory conditions and the production game. I still like it and will play it with a friend mainly because it can be played on the internet.
ACW on the other hand looks and plays much more like a Civil War game. The movement and combat systems work well once you understand you are entering moves for 15 days at a time. Its design is tied very close to history and it has no weighted victory time conditions to make it an "equal" game Can the south win? yes it can given the right situation. Lastly FoF is not quite a strat. level or a little more than an operation level with tactical combat possibilities.
What ACW lacks is a 2 player hot seat and internet games, with only email 2 player games. So if I want a good single player Civil War game it works great.
I never was one to believe in getting put into the historical period of what ever game I am playing but am more interested in how the game works in simulating the period of the game. In this respect they both do it in different ways so it really depends on what you are looking for. I just wish there was a LAN or hot seat playability in ACW. So enjoy both or either one.

Madgamer

[Bloodybucket28th]

You disapprove of the kepi I wear while playing AACW?[:@]
 
I will admit that hitting the right keys with my sword is a little tricky.

[fmonster]

ORIGINAL: TheBloodyBucket

You disapprove of the kepi I wear while playing AACW?[:@]

I will admit that hitting the right keys with my sword is a little tricky.

LOL! Now that's funny there,... I don't care who you are! [:D]

[Mike Scholl]

ORIGINAL: fmonster

ORIGINAL: TheBloodyBucket

You disapprove of the kepi I wear while playing AACW?[:@]

I will admit that hitting the right keys with my sword is a little tricky.

LOL! Now that's funny there,... I don't care who you are! [:D]

I'd guess he's from Pennsylvania with that "Bloody Bucket" tag. That's the name given to the State's "Keystone" logo by members of the 28th (Pennsylvania National Guard) Division in WW II

[General Quarters]

I played some space game table-top, sorta miniatures like, with some military non-coms a couple of times. They always played the Star Wars soundtrack the whole time!

[Bloodybucket28th]

Mike,
I'm not from PA, but my dad, also not from PA, was a BAR gunner in the 110th Rgt, 28th ID in WWII.  The nick is a tribute to him.
 
General Quarters,
As a retired NCO, I resemble that remark.  I always secretly thought that military life should have a soundtrack, and my gaming group once decorated a room with WWII propaganda posters for atmosphere while playing World in Flames...never mind the newspaper captain's hats for Wooden Ships and Iron Men! 
 
fmonster,
It may be funny, but I do own a sword (USMC NCO), and I am thinking about getting a kepi [:o].

[fmonster]

ORIGINAL: TheBloodyBucket
fmonster,
It may be funny, but I do own a sword (USMC NCO), and I am thinking about getting a kepi [:o].

First off, thanks for serving! I did my time in the Air Force and they wouldn't dare allow us to have a sword![;)] I just get a real kick out of thinking about anybody using a sword to select keys on a keyboard..... [:D]

Cheers!

[Aurelian]

ORIGINAL: TheBloodyBucket

You disapprove of the kepi I wear while playing AACW?[:@]

I will admit that hitting the right keys with my sword is a little tricky.

I use a pistol myself.

Maybe that's why I go through so many keyboards.

[madgamer2]

WELL......NO ....I just hope you don't forget where it is and sit on it (OUCH)

Madgamer