Matrix Games Forums

Having played and enjoyed GGWAW:AWD I have been considering buying this, however, I would quite like to try out AGOED's american civil war game 'The blue and the grey' Has anybody played both and which one would you recommend fisrt?

Yes I have  and play both.  Hmmmmmm thats a hard one.  I would say get them both.  Sorry but both are great.[:)]

I've got both and that's a tough one.  They are very different games, both being very good.  I'd rate both games an 8/10 as of right now.  AACW a 7 based on gameplay alone but +1 point for the art style (I'm a sucker for their colorful map and portraits of generals) and dedicated support and improvement.  After only a few days I'd give WBTS an 8 based on gameplay, but the more I play and understand the mechanics of the game, I'd think that will rise to a 9/10 easy.

I rate AACW slightly lower because there is a lot of tedium for me in structuring armies.  I end up playing the smaller scenarios in AACW most of the time.  If you are someone that likes to dive into the small details you probably won't dislike that aspect like I do.  The AI in AACW is good and constantly improving with patches, but the WBTS AI feels more like it has a consistent plan so far. 

Also a big difference is that in AACW moves are plotted by both sides, then made at the same time.  This can make front line areas rather chaotic as armies pass like ships in the night.  I think with the latest AACW patch though, the AI does a better job of not constantly moving front line forces around all the time.

I'd go with WBTS so you don't spoil yourself on AACW's fantastic art style first, but you can't go wrong with either one. 

Thanks for the advice, maybee I will leave both games alone for a while and wait for a few patches and updates for GGWBTS first

Both are very playable out of the box.  Don't hesitate to buy either.  You won't be sorry if you're into both the time period and the strategy genre.

AACW has a demo, you may want to download that to help you decide.

WBTS AI is excellent but do not forget when doing the comparison that WBTS is much less detailed. In overall lately Ageod is doing lots of efforts to simplify the micromanagement but AACW is still all essentially about micromanaging AND macromanaging while in WBTS micromanaging is reduced to the extreme. Obviously when this is applied to the AI context, WBTS AI has an easy task compared to the one the AACW one has.

Ultimately, and i ll never get tired of saying it: No AI is perfect and PBEM is the mainstay. Having said that (for the 2048395th time i know!) i think both are great games. [:)]

Well, I have to say I have taken the plunge and bought the game. Remembering how much I enjoyed GGWAW:AWD and not really wanting to spend ages learning the mechanics of a new game swung it for me. Bit dissapointed that reasearch, espionage and politics arn't handled as comprehensivly in the WBTS as in AWD. Sure I will have fun with it though, especially with the leaders now playing a part. Thanks for the advice guys! [:D]

Took the plunge too. I also own AACW and Forge of Freedom from Matrix.

Loved FoF [&o](very good depth)


Disliked AACW [>:] (fancy map and tedium)

Hopefully this game will keep my interest for some time. On the surface it looks very good.


Edit: I might add that the ordering process was outstanding and the file was downloaded without a hitch. Very good job again Matrix.

I like both very much! I play WBTS on a notebook computer, this game seems very stable and a lot of fun. You need a lot of time to play AACW, I can play a turn in WBTS in 30 to 45 minutes. Last night went from July 61 to early 62 in one sitting. WBTS will have my focus for quite awhile! Well thought out game, its like being there! Mike

I found AACW the most detailed and realistic of the three. All are good though. Depends on what you like..............

Well I've been playing for a week or so now and am very glad I bought the game. Glad that everyone enjoyes it too. Well done to the development team [&o]