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Good concept, horrible execution.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 12 / 12
Date: July 25, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game has beautiful music, workable graphics, delightful detail, and what on the surface appears to be a simple and elegant game engine. The AI is intelligent and challenging. This ought to be a great strategy game.

And I loathe it.

The single biggest problem with the game is the user interface. The only way you can locate your units is to scroll around the very, VERY large map- and scrolling is ungodly slow- to find one garrison after another, checking each to see if they're unlocked. There's no unified listing of commandable units to check, no way to cycle through the units to ensure commands have been given to all units. Checking over all the units is NOT fun- in fact it quickly becomes an agonizing chore that bleeds every last bit of fun out of the game, turning it into an exercise in frustration.

Another minor note: although no historical strategy gamer should ever rely on history repeating itself, because history is generally made by idiots, still the units in the game should be able to repeat the same feats the same units performed in actual history. Benedict Arnold's march to Quebec took two months in our history; it takes double that in this game's Canada 1775 scenario. Similar sloth infects Washington's march to Yorktown in that campaign scenario. With units moving too slowly to accomplish the same missions which were completed in the actual Revolution, it's absurd to expect players to even match the performance of the Founding Fathers- much less exceed them.

I'm sadly, woefully disappointed in this title. Turn-based strategy games are growing rare enough as it is- bad examples such as this one don't help those of us who can't stand so-called "real-time" games. A better user interface would MUCH improve this game and probably make it a great game; as it is, it only rates average due to the detail work put into the package, the music, graphics, historical detail, etc. As a game, in and of itself, it stinks.

Nice "Period"Game of a Forgotten War

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 13 / 16
Date: March 06, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Hats off to the creators "Birth of America" for producing a game covering the long forgotten French and Indian War, and the more memorable American Revolution. Other than residents of upstate New York (not me), and a few history fanatics (like me), the French and Indian War is rarely acknowledged in the popular media. The recent 250th anniversary of the war has resulted in a few books, and the interesting PBS series, but not general interest.

The game is intended for grognards(board game players) who are aquainted with the history of the war. It plays very much like a computerized board game, with a "Risk" or "Axis and Allies" feel about it. Area movement of static figures is not cutting edge computer game play, but matches the subject matter well.

The stress is on strategy, and battles are decided without any graphical detail, in an abstract manner. Don't expect any explosions, dramatic cavalry charges, or even booming cannons. The game is short on video and sound effects.

Individual leaders and units are well detailed. And it's the only game I know where Worcester, Massachusetts and Pittsfield, Massachusetts are important towns on the map.

The instruction/rules book leaves alot to be desired. I had to play several trial and error games to figure out basic rules (like bateux movement). You'll have to work at playing this game. But it is relatively simple once you become knowledgeable of the basic concepts.

If your used to board games like the previously mentioned "Risk" or "Axis and Allies", "Birth of America" is worth a look. If you want great, or even good battlefield graphical animation and sound, look elsewhere. I found it was definitely worth the money, and a great learning experience.

A Beer and Pretzels fun game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Though somewhat abstract in appearance the graphics are useful and match the flavor of the game. It can be a tuff road to hoe for the Americans and one can find themselves up the creek without a paddle easily. Not a serious game for the truly historical minded wargamer and more of a fun experience. If you are a RTS first person shooter gamer this is not for you. But if you like a fun strategy game that has more going for it than Risk you will like it.

good history and good gaming

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: June 10, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game covers both the American Revolution and the French & Indian War. And in both, the AI is very good. Knowing the historical circumstances is important but if you try to blindly follow history you get pounded. Don't expect the other side to act stupidly. You have to pay attention to the unit types and the leaders. The art is wonderful. The developers keep supporting the game with upgrades. Download the beautiful wallpaper and updated manual. I look forward to their next game on the American Civil War.

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