A gem of a wargame. All the spirit of a boardgame, reaching further thanks to the adventages of being a PC Game. Recreation both of Confederation and Union of the States of America is masterfully granted by leadership and quality of troops, supplies, historical decisions (and non-historical but plausible ones, like getting European powerhouses into the conflict)... To make you the biggest militar conflict in post-Napoleonic XIX century.

And very easy and enjoyable to play in multiplayer. In a few words: a gem of a game.

Overall one of the better games on the war I have played.

I like the command and supply systems but they are not intuitive, it takes a while to figure out some things because the documentation isn't always helpful either. There is a lot of info on units but it's difficult to determine their effects. Basically a good bit of what the game does and why is obscure. From the POV of a supreme commander it's fitting, you give orders and they're carried out, but if you like to min-max your gameplay you'll find it hard to do here.

Terrible interface (Perhaps the worst I have ever seen). Disapointing and almost unplayable game system. Map is cartoonish and hard to read. This is a game I really want to play but I fall asleep from sheer boredom going thru the first tutorial.

ACW is a decent game. We're really big history buffs and especially enjoy playing history-themed type games. But just an FYI, ACW can be super funky running on Win 7, we had to play it on an old machine running XP for it to work properly, as we haven't upgraded to the Win 7 edition whereas you can run a "virtual" version of XP, but some of our friends have that edition, and they have told us they absolutely love playing ACW. Cheers! J & J

A nice Ageod game, easy to get into... but still as abstract as any AGEOD game.

If your a table-top general, this would suit you very well for the period

This is a perfect example of a game that could have been great. Unfortunately, the nearly impossible to use interface and the 2 week minimum granularity (turn length) ruin what could have been. The biggest problem, by far, is the incredibly kludgy command chain system, and the terrible interfaces for recruiting and deploying troops.

Maybe they'll get it right sometime, but this isn't it.

A grand strategy game in the finest sense, AACW is -not- for everyone. It is most certainly an acquired taste and I suspect that it is a flavor that many gamers will never acquire at all.

Sacrificing ease-of-play in the name of realism and historical verisimilitude is not necessary a popular option with the gaming masses, but it is a decision that Ageod incorporated here and they stand by it resolutely. This game is staggering complex and the learning curve, even for seasoned strategy gamers, is almost entirely vertical.

Everything from movement orders to regional control, to the (extremely) important ideas of proper command structure is complexly represented in this strategic 'tour de force.' It is all waiting to be explored, unlocked, and enjoyed...if you have the gaming chops and patience to stomach it.

If you do decide to take the plunge (and it is a plunge well worth taking, according to this old grognard), don't count too strongly on the manual or tutorial to bail you out of the intensely confusing opening turns of this game. Avail yourselves of Ageod's forums and take advantage of some of the good FAQs and explanations offered therein.

In all, this game is something of a marvel. It is a stylistic return to a breed of gaming that many have long-thought extinct. The sort of wargames we used to play on Commadore and Zenith brand computers, but with somewhat updated graphics. But in the current age of many games handing everything to the player on a plate, taking the time necessary to explore, unlock, and master this game will feel like the true accomplishment that it is-if you make it that far.

Even if you don't know anything about the American Civil War, this game is an absolute must for anyone who likes grand strategy. The level of detail is just incredible and although it's not easy to learn, you can have fun with it from day 1.

Incredible attention to detail is the word with this game , and if your a stratedgy fanatic like me you'll be thinking about this game even when your not playing it , it can be incredibly complicated to learn , but once you have played a few scenarios it just grabs hold of you and wont let go,

verdict ?

A must have for true stratedgy wargamers everywhere , and at this price ... "what are you waiting for" !

If you like a very deep complex startegy game this is for you. One of the better games about the civil war. The only bad parts is the almost vertical learning curve when you first jump in. Also the level of forcing one to follow the historical path is a bit much for me. I like my games more open ended. However the strategy level and complex nature of the armies and commanders is parallel to almost none.

GREAT GAME!!! If you are a Civil War buff you will love this one. the historical accuracy and the detail used for the generals and units are incredible. Again if you enjoy reliving history, or changing, this is the game to get.

Game isn't bad, not at all. A little complex, takes a while to get used to. It's fun, that's the requirement of any game, so it gets 5 stars in my books.

This is a wonderful game. The best Civil War game I've ever played, it deals with all aspects of the war, not just the battles. The AI is competent and actually presents a challenge. If you're interested in the Civil War, this game is perfect for you.

An amazing blend of strategy game and simulation of the American Civil War. You can relieve the most memorable moments of the Civil War or create your own. It does a great job making a realistic feel to the events, political and military, that happened for both sides during the war.

The people from Ageod always mention in their game descriptions that their games are 'easy to play and hard to master'. I would actually say they are hard to play and to master, since the interface and game dynamics are nothing alike other strategy games. The worse is gettin used to the 'command chain' system. BUUUUT... if you give the game a chance, it will win your heart. Everything is extremelly well thought out and accurate and history-faithfull. This is a 'grand strategy' game, do not think you will find here any big resource management, or lenthly campaigns and army building and such things. The idea of the game is to put in your hands historical armies in historically accurate reagions, depicting most of all (and this is the unique thing about Ageod's games) a real infraestructure net, which brings you realistic concerns on terms of supply, displacement of your army and the conceivement of an intelligent battle plan. Instead of just advancing and engaging and destroying things, the game gives you real concerns that ruined a good night's sleep of people like a Grant, a Napoleon or a King Frederick.

It is a very adult game, to put it in one word.

Great game. Definatley a must buy, for any person loving the civil war. 'easily the most accurate civil war game to date.

Certainly the best strategic level civil war simulation I have ever played. Your domestic policy choices are appropriate for the era: selling bonds to raise money, levying taxes, raising a draft, while foreign policy comes down to either maintaining or ending British and/or french neutrality. Supply management, recruitment, and national morale are all important considerations. The real standout of this game in my opinion is the army system. Each division requires a general to operate effectively and those generals are part of a chain of command. Well connected leaders will expect commands even if they are less qualified than others, placing the player in situations similar to those "enjoyed" by Lincoln and Davis in the endless wrangling over prestige and politics that was the commissioning system of the time.

The good: Flavor stuff like fonts, UI, music, historical generals, map, Setting up and managing your chain of command

The bad: Setting up and managing your army chain of command can feel a bit tedious at times but your patience will be rewarded.

This is not just a historical-based game, but a full scale strategy game ranging from economics to politics, management *and* strategy.

The simulation detail is extreme and the atmosphere is accurately built.

You get to organize entire armies, corps or independent stacks with supply chains, replacements, terrain/weather advantages/disadvantages... consccripts, war supplies, river/rail transportation...and it's good for pbem, solo play and full team vs team in Grand Campaign!

A game where deep-thinking is unparalleled in an engine whose potential is far from being fully exploited. The community is live and the DEVs are responsive and committed. A must for all strategists and not just the fans of the Civil War scenario.

Gabriele Pinto

This game will have you looking in your history books. They have every general you can dream of. From the ones you know like R.E. Lee and U.S. Grant all the way down to the forgotton Heroes like Philip Kearny.

Everything in this game is solid nothing is realy over looked. AS a famous saying goes. Good Leaders Talk Battles. Great ones Talk Logistics.

This is the one of the greatest achievments in wargaming ever. I honestly never thought anyone would write a competent AI on a grand scale like this. I loved VGs Civil War and thought a silicon version would remain a dream. This is even better than Victory Games version.

Together with Take2Command:Manassas, this game is a must have for any serious Civil War buff and/or wargamer.

marcus