Civil War: 1863 for PC and Mac

Software Reviews and Criticism

• By Madgrognard

  Manipulative

  I found this game to be very disappointing. I was so hopeful with this series; the animation, the sounds, the instant battle. But in the end, this game turned out to be such a tease. Oh, you can beat the AI for sure, but it is so manipulative. It feels much like the outcomes are mathematically decided ahead and the game makes sure it exacts its hits and takes its own losses to fit the template. Time and time again, the AI opponent will withstand losses miraculously at key points or during key moments of the game. Time and time again, you will be punished for achieving a surprise flank attack, or making a bold move only to come up against a super unit of the enemy. Here is what particularly frustrated me: If the scenario demanded that you destroy 80% of the enemy while not losing 80% of yours, you can be sure that no matter how creative you are, the enemy will either defeat you at the last moment, or it will be by the skin of your teeth. If there is a time limit to survive a scenario, you will either lose in the very last turn allowed, or you will win by the closest of margins. True, I could just be a bad player, but I’m talking about victories as well as defeats. It just feels like the computer is allowing me to win and making it seem like a challenge by mathematically fixing the odds by skewing the strength and hit points of the units.

  
  
• By SkipG123

  Quick, Challenging, Fun

  Civil War 1863 implements the classic elements of hex-based wargaming that haved withstood the test of time. The game provides a great introduction to the genre for newbies, and the AI scripting offers a worthy opponent even for the most jaded grognard. Lots of battles/missions test your operational level skills in a variety of settings and guarantee hours of enjoyment.

  
  

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