Civil War Game

[SnowBlue88]

Hey guys I am interested in a good civil war game and have narrowed it down to American Civil War: The Blue and the Grey and Gary Grigsby's War Between the States. Which one would you recommend?

[killroyishere]

Forge of Freedom![:'(]

[JudgeDredd]

I'm with killroy, but if you've narrowed it down to those two, then you need to say what you are looking for.

I haven't played it yet (because it looks extremely in-depth) but AACW is a completely different beast to GGWBTS.

AACW is very complex and GGWBTS whilst not easy is certainly easier...you could easy play a game in an one sitting of Gary's game.

I helped do some beta testing on GG WBTS and it is an excellent game. So for that reason and the fact I haven't play the other one, then I opt for GGWBTS (although FoF is the beast you really want [;)])

[Arsan]

AACW!! [:)]
Really, i have not played the Gary Grigsby game still (heard good things about it) and i'm beta of AGEOD, so my answer is not exactly objective [;)]
I guess the best option woudl be to get both [:'(]

AACW is probably somewhat more complex, but specially bigger (huge and detailed map) and longer and with much more units and things to check around.
If you want a more streamlined game play and a campaign you can play in a couple of afternoons GGWBTS will be better.
But if you prefer a more detailed game and don't mind spending weeks doing a campaign AACW is an awesome game with an awesome support that still regularly get patches that fix problems and add new features and improvements after two years of release. [&o]
You can download the AACW demo from here to take a look by yourself
http://www.ageod.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=115

But bear in mind the demo is not form the latest versions so it will be missing lots of gameplay, historical and interface tweaks.

Regards

[hadberz]

Forge of Freedom if you like tactical combat. I don't have the others.

[Yogi the Great]

I agree with Forge of Freedom, unless you prefer simpler games to play, FOF is involved, time consuming, etc.

[vonRocko]

I have all of them. Each has its pros and cons. But if I was forced to pick just one,without hesitation,I would pick Ageods American Civil War.
This is just my opinion,I am sure others might disagree.[:)]
 
 
 
p.s.- all of them could use a better AI

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: vonRocko
I have all of them. Each has its pros and cons. But if I was forced to pick just one,without hesitation,

Same here, but I'd pick War Between the States .... taste ... you can discuss it all day long I suppose .

Ok, for the OP : here's an overview of reviews and AAR's for all the games - these should let you make an informed decision

Gary Grigsby's War Between the States
AAR : tm.asp?m=1583553
AAR : m.asp?m=1693545
Review : http://wroteontheground.blogspot.com/20 ... tates.html
Review : http://jaguarusf.blogspot.com/2008/07/g ... eview.html
Review : http://www.armchairgeneral.com/gary-gri ... review.htm

AGEOD’S American Civil War – The Blue and the Gray
Review : http://www.wargamer.com/reviews/ageod_civilwar/
Review : http://www.armchairgeneral.com/articles ... e=1&cat=59

Forge of Freedom : The American Civil War 1861-1865
Preview : http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/forge-of-freed ... 516p1.html
Review : http://www.wargamer.com/reviews/forge_of_freedom/
Review : http://www.armchairgeneral.com/articles ... e=1&cat=59
Review : http://www.gamesquad.com/index.php?opti ... m=&aid=181

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[Blueprint]

Both good choices.

If you like computer wargames feeling like computer wargames, try WBTS
If you like computer wargames feeling like board wargames, try AACW.

IMHO AACW blends the best of computing and board wargames, hence my preference.

[Reiryc]

I'd recommend both...

[Erik Rutins]

I have to honestly say that if you enjoy ACW grand strategy, you're going to want to eventually own all three games (AACW, FOF and WBTS). They are each better than any previous AACW computer strategy game IMHO and they are each different enough that they each provide a different perspective on ACW strategic play.

[JudgeDredd]

^^Get Erik with the sales pitch!!^^  [&o]

[Ron]

What type of gamer are you? Serious or casual? It makes a huge difference since only the one game has a demo to try, you can only get so much from reviews and AARs. I found AACW to be hugely complicated and complex, not my cup of tea at all. I am interested in WBTS as well since it appears to be a little easier to get into but in the end my civil war gaming is done with FOF. It is complex but not complicated, perfect for my style.
 
 

[vonRocko]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

I have to honestly say that if you enjoy ACW grand strategy, you're going to want to eventually own all three games (AACW, FOF and WBTS).

This is the best solution! Each game is fun.
What a game we would have,if someone combined the best features of each into one![:'(]

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: SnowBlue88

Hey guys I am interested in a good civil war game and have narrowed it down to American Civil War: The Blue and the Grey and Gary Grigsby's War Between the States. Which one would you recommend?

I don't have the Grigsby title, but I have both award-winning AACW and FoF games.

In a nutshell, AACW is deep, has good info filters and playable scenarios, but FoF plays easier on the larger scale and has tactical play if you don't use "quick combat" mode, which to me is still preferable to AGEOD's "battle meter".

If I could only graft FoF's QC onto AACW, I would be a happy camper.

[Missouri Rebel]

I own all three and would have to strongly suggest that you include Forge of Freedom in your available choices. Great depth, infinite play options and enthralling combat models makes it the most complete WANA game to date. For example, I believe there are something like six different siege options. Now that IS control.

As Joe has already stated, the 'battle meter' and lack of tactical control put me off in AACW. It just wasn't immersible enough for me. I might add though that others seem to really enjoy it.

Either way you go I don't think you can go wrong but, you should really consider Forge of Freedom.

mo reb

[SnowBlue88]

Reading the replies makes me think that WBTS is the game for me as it is still complex (though maybe not as the others) and seems to have less micro-management that AACW. As for FoF its biggest selling point (the ability to fight the battles) is something that I am not really interested in, so how do the other components of the game compare? And finally if I do go with WBTS is paying extra for the hard copy manual worth it?

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: SnowBlue88

... As for FoF its biggest selling point (the ability to fight the battles) is something that I am not really interested in, so how do the other components of the game compare? And finally if I do go with WBTS is paying extra for the hard copy manual worth it?

You're the only one who knows the answer to that; I find that older people like myself prefer looking at hard copy, but younger players are more accustomed to reading manuals in a paperless world.

BTW, FoF does have a QC format that avoids tactical play. Also the FoF screen map is not as colorful or informative as the AACW map, which has several info filters; most FoF info is obtained via spreadsheet.

[Obsolete]

Don't forget Sierra's Civil War General series.

[2ndACR]

FOF......love those detailed battles. AI is sort of predictible though.