Gimme some info

[Krec]

Not much news on this puppy. Please , anybody that has bought this game tell us what its like , good/bad , anything. Matrix is pumping out the games like crazy lately, hard to keep up. last civilwar game i played was civil war general 2. i really liked it but online it was iffy. needed a face lift. So please give us some good info!!

[AlvinS]

I just started with the game today and have done the tutorial. This is a well made game in my opinion. There is plenty of information and detail, but it is not overwhelming. The interface is good, and I recommend the tutorial because it walks you through it.

I'll post more info as I play it, but I feel it is worth the money and am glad that I bought it.

[Twotribes]

This and BOA use the same basic engine. The rules are not to complicated and while the tutorial was a bust for me you do not need it, just read the manual. The things to learn are unit command chain and the importance of doing your nation maintenance each turn. Just remember active units that are not moving are accessed with R and E keys and Naval are T and Y keys.

[Hertston]

There's a demo HERE. Might be easiest just to try that?

[jimi3]

I am still working through the tutorials. So far, and only first impression, this is the Civil War game I have been waiting for. No offense to FoF, but it didn't do it or me. Two thumbs up (that's all I got) [:)]

[Pocus]

Two thunbs up are really appreciated, thanks jimi3. We really tried to make an historical game on the ACW, without too much complexity. If for you we succeeded, we are happy. [&o]

[Crimguy]

I've had it for about  1 1/2 weeks now.  In that time I've essentially shelved every other game for the moment.  Very addictive, and I'm finding it an interesting experience.  It has a staggering choice of strategic options.  The AI has both it's ups and downs.  On one hand, the CSA (computer) is doing a terrific job of harrassing my interior lines by sending cavalry raiding parties into Indiana and Illinois to tear up railroad, foraging the whole way.  This made movement of a few divisions to Ky go from a 3 day trip in wintertime to a 30 day trip as they were forced to march.  Good stuff.

On the flip side, I'm noticing the CSA army isn't always the best at keeping their army together.  It might be my continuous movements of AotP that's confusing them, but they seem to form and reform ANV in ever-changing dispositions.  At one time they had the whole of the army bearing down on Harper's Ferry, and I was genuinely concerned for my Army, which was spread into 3 corps in 3 different regions.  They didn't attack despite having a numerical and leadership advantage.  a couple months later, I see Stonewall Jackson leading a Cavalry Brigade (Heavy) into battle against 3 infantry brigades at Ft. Monroe.  They got slaughtered.

Nonetheless, it's Late March, 62, and I'm not making the headway I hoped for.  So they must be doing something right.  PBEM will be a blast.

If I could give this game 4 thumbs up, I would.

[jynx11]

I am enjoying it.  I have never owned a civil war game before.  The tutorial can be a bit trying at times but it is very nice to have an in game tutuorial.  Like everyone else says, the graphic are very nice.  It a nice change of pace.[:D]

[MrBoats]

I Like it! I had a bit of trouble figuring out a couple of things in the tutorial, but then the light bulb clicked on and everything fell into place. The manual is good and I can't wait to wade into a full campaign game. I remember how long it took to figure out all of the aspects of WITP, but the satisfaction gained made it more than worthwhile. I think this game will provide a similar experience.

Bill Trotter's review at the wargamer site convinced me to buy this one, and I think it was a good decision. There seems to be a great deal of value for the price, and there will always be the Matrix commitment to improving the product over time.

[Krec]

thanks for all the info keep it coming for others,  i am downloading the demo[:D]

[Gem35]

I am curious about this game as well. I'll try the demo, thanks for a link.
How many game turns are there andhow many options to choose from? How long in game time is one turn?
 

[Queeg]

ORIGINAL: Gem35

How many game turns are there andhow many options to choose from? How long in game time is one turn?

Each game turn is 15 days. Long campaign is 100+ turns. There are options that (1) give random general stats, (2) lengthen the time before meeting units engage, (3) give the AI a detection bonus - and others I can recall at the moment.

A great game. My favorite ACW game.

[Crimguy]

FYI, planning in one turn takes me a miinimum of 15 minutes, and usually 30-45 minutes.

[Gem35]

Thats all? WitP game turns can be as long as 8 hours to finish.

[Queeg]

ORIGINAL: Gem35

Thats all? WitP game turns can be as long as 8 hours to finish.

Which is the major reason I've never played WitP.

[Crimguy]

Yah, I know. I'm still playing a campaign I started in 2005. Those 8 hour turns could have been done in 30 minutes if the game included a more reasonable interface.

ORIGINAL: Gem35

Thats all? WitP game turns can be as long as 8 hours to finish.

[Krec]

downloaded the demo, been reading the manual and looking at the map (great map btw) and this game reminds me of WITP. The more i read the more complex this game is . Looks really good , buts whats the actual learning curve for this baby?[&:]

[Crimguy]

I think the learning curve for basic/advanced is pretty low. Getting some of the finer nuances of the game, and figuring out how to best organize your forces will take some time.

There is limited printed info regarding some of the features - specifically specialized units. For many things you have to refer to the tooltips which sometimes only give partial info.

I know I'm repeating myself, but I'm finding this to be a very addictive game. I will be looking for a pbem opponent, and I might just stay the course this time around [:D]

[Bloodybucket28th]

This game is a must for ACW fans...great game, great support and and it has that hard to define something that makes it both evocative of the period and addictive.

The learning curve is not steep, but the tutorials can be confusing because you can veer off the path if not careful. The initial impression I had of the interface was "Holy smokes, how much data can you cram on that screen?" but it becomes very natural with time. As Crimguy states, mastery is elusive, but the basic mechanics can be mastered in short order.

I daresay that this game is like reading the Shelby Foote trilogy, but you get to help write it! Not perfection, but durn close.

[Queeg]

AACW has nothing like the learning curve of WitP. It's actually quite easy to dive in and start playing AACW - the interface is clean and the mechanics are simple. You can then learn the nuances by playing the game. The game is a challenge to master. But it is relatively easy to play. That's really one of the beauties of AGEOD games.