User Reviews (1 - 11 of 36)

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Now for a more Honest Review

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 28
Date: April 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Let me give you a little insight of what to expect.

1) This is a command decision type of game, though it is rts, it is more based on issuing a command to the commander of the detachments, brigades, regiments, etc. etc. and the AI carries out the orders based on it's socalled historical nature of the commander in charge.

2) Graphics are mediocre compared to todays standards. Go back 2 or 3 years and this is what you will get.

3) It's published by Paradox Interactive. Many of you are probably familiar by now with Paradox releases. Faulty and buggy out of the box and takes many patches to be a complete game. Basically if you buy a Paradox game you are paying to be a beta tester.

4) The hands off approach to this rts wannabe leaves me rather bored. I guess if you like watching the AI play and implementing some action every now and then you might like this sort of game. It doesn't have the action of say a Creative Assembly Total War game. It's more of a grognards type of game and not much in the excitement catagory of rts. You could basically take one small detachment and just watch the AI play the entire battle.

5) As for the AI playing the battle. When you step down and take on a smaller detachment the AI will attempt to control even the detachment you chose to play. This can be a pain when you want to setup on a ridge and it wants you down in front, once again the lack of control makes for an unfun experience.

It has potential, but, I would still classify it as a grognards type of game and not a mainstream title that I think many of those that enjoy a true rts game would like and might be misled to by it thinking it like an rts game. It's one of those once in awhile type of games and that is about all.

6) It doesn't support multiplayer of any type. Big disappointment there. Totally a single player only game.

Not a whole lot more for twice the price

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 37
Date: April 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I played the origional version of this Civil War:Bull Run by Activision. Now, I've seen the 2nd edition at twice the price and I can't say I'm impressed with basically the same game with a few modified tweaks. The combat engine is the same, the maps are the same for all basic principles. The addition of the campaign feature was really all I saw being new, though in my case not worthy of an additional $20 when the first game was only $19.99

Something else that puts me aback about this game is it is a Paradox release. Well you all know my stance on Paradox that have been following my reviews (all 3000+ of you and I thank you). You rarely if ever get a complete package when you buy a Paradox title and in many cases end up having to wait months to over a year and a half plus for a version that actually works.

I will state that the AI is pretty good in this one (at first), though of course no master. It's pretty easy to figure out if you are an experienced wargamer of any depth.

A multiplayer feature might have put this one over the top. It's also for the more old fashioned wargamer in place of anyone who is rts oriented. I personally don't recommend this if you are a multiplayer enthusiast.

As I've always recommended waiting a few weeks to months on purchasing Paradox titles I do once again. You'll probably find this one in the bargain bin price range ($20 or less) within a few weeks/months. So, unless you are just the impatient type, I'd suggest a wait on this one.

bugs in the game

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 25
Date: July 31, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Before you buy this game you better buy a state of the art computer. I have a two year old computer that was state of the art when i bought it. It will not play the game. Not only that, but I tried to contact the web site support for the game to get some help 3 weeks ago and still have not received a reply.

As far as I'm concerned, the program is a piece of junk.

Nostalgia or for the pre-teen mind

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 6 / 40
Date: April 25, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Yah know when I was 6-12 years old a game like this would have fasinated me. It brought back memories of when I was that age playing with my lime green army men in the sandbox. But, at my age now I don't see a lot of depth or strategy required. Very little even in the tactics department is needed. You rush to the enemy/objective locations, setup your line of units and then more or less watch the battle with simple inputs of commands, but, nothing spectacular. It isn't your high speed clickfest that the majority of rts games are which is one of the welcome features of this one.

Had it been of the Napoleon era I think this engine might be more interesting and fun to use since there was more fluid movements on the battlefields and heavy use of cavalry/cannon included and of course the colorful nature of the Napoleon era as well. The American Civil War was basically a dull and boring part of military history. Where men stood across from each other one group using the advantage of the terrain over the other and then slaughtering each other more or less based on size of the army versus army. Picketts charge had to be the most stupid and idiotic strategy of the entire campaign, thus showing the Americans at that point and time still didn't really understand strategy and tactics of a situation.

Overall this is probably for the very young 12 or less and perhaps a good model to show them what a battle might look like for a classroom discussion of the Civil War.

Very fun

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: May 13, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game shows what civil war Generals,corlnels,and commanders whent threw and how they commanded. The gameplay is my favorite part it lets
you command small armies and huge armies. You can be all kinds of your favorite generals like Robert E. Lee or Stonewall jackson and many more generals. also when you command cannons you can choose witch type of cannon ball you want to fire. During the game you will recive messages during battle from other generals. The graphics arent as bad as Sid Mires civil war collection.Overall this is my favorite computer game. If you like civil war games than i suggest you buy it!!!!!!

Best Civil War Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 13 / 16
Date: April 24, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I love this game! (this is the only game I have even thought of writing a review about, I love it that much!)
I have been playing board and computer wargames for 20 years. This is by far the best Civil War PC game on the market today.
In the game you command Civil War armies during the 2nd Manassas campaign, fought in the summer of 1862.
You can command anything from a small Artillery Battery, Cavalry Squadron, Infantry Brigade, Division, Corps up to an entire Army.
If you chose to command a smaller unit, the amazing computer AI handles the rest of the army, it even sends you orders via actual message couriers! You are a part of the much larger battle that is taking place around you. As you are attacking with your small command, you also watch as your AI controlled peers are moving to attack on your flanks. Their success or failure will affect you and you will affect them. If you are defending, then you pray that your peers will be able to hold on your flanks, if you need help you send a courier to your superior asking for reenforcements (and pray that they arrive in time, if ever).
At higher command levels (Corps and Army) you send couriers to your subordinates with orders to attack or defend. Once your plans are in motion you do what Commanders have done throughout the ages, wait and hope that your subordinates carry out your orders and are successful. If something goes wrong then you ride to the critical point in the battle and can "Take Command" of the units there. But don't get caught up micromanaging every regiment in your command (there can be hundreds in the larger scenarios) or you'll find yourself with to many holes in the dike and not enough fingers.
If there are any downsides to the game it would be the graphics. Which although are not state of the art 3D, are well more then adequate and actually to an excellent job protraying the units, leaders and battlefields of the era.

[...]
Give the demo a try. If you like the Civil War or challenging games you won't be disappointed.

Take Command 2nd Manassas

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 10
Date: May 15, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Played the demo yesterday and loved it! This title deserves the backing of a large company so multiplayer can be added and so we can see it in stores. In my town it is only available online. I am ordering it now.

The graphics are great, and even the sound effects were awesome. Put your regiment in column and march to the battle and listen to the marching drums and flutes. Push some enemy pickets out of your way as you go, then get them to their required location, after receiving your orders from a messenger on horseback, and go into the fight. I love it!

It gives you a taste of what it must have been like to be a commander maneuvering your regiment or division during the fascinating American Civil War. Can't wait to get the actual game in the mail soon.

I would love to see multiplayer and more battlefields added soon. If the online version could keep track of player scores and have rankings online, it would fuel interest among clans and this game would go through the roof. I can see clans adding mods similar to what happened with Battlefield 1942 going in the direction of the Desert Combat mod and entertaining thousands of people across the world. Hopefully the clans associated with Desert Combat would not see the same fate as what happened when Battlefield 2 came out and required players to play official servers for rankings to count. Clans died out at that point.

To the creators I say, well done! I hope you get rich, because you saw the unmet need for a game like this and stepped in.

Works just fine on older computers!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: August 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Not sure what's going on with the previous reviewer who can't get the game to run on his "2 year old" computer, but I have no problems at all running the game on my 4 year old computer!!! I've even installed both patches for the game with no problem. Sounds to me more like user problems than problems with the game.

Speaking of the game, I have nothing but good words for the game, and for the developers. After having spent 5+ years as a die-hard TotalWar fan and forum administrator I was a bit disappointed with Creative Assembly's shift from gameplay to graphics. MadMinuteGames managed to restore my faith that there are developers out there who are more interested in gameplay than in eye candy.

If you want your ACW soldiers as fully rendered 3D objects then this is not the game for you. If on the other hand you have no problem with well done sprites, and are more interested in great gameplay, great AI and a game that offers a high replay value, then TC2M is the game for you.

Many people judge the quality of a game by the immersion factor. In other words, how easy is it for you to feel like you're really there. As a long time player of strategic wargames (computer and otherwise) and former ACW re-enactor, I can say with absolute confidence that MMG have hit the mark here.

If you want multiplayer or a full-blown campaign, you'll be disappointed because MMG has not yet implemented either. The Open Play feature however is as close to MP as you can get. I'd rather that the developers take their time and get both of these aspects done right the first time, than rush an incomplete product out the door.

This game deserves all 5 stars for fun factor. The only reason the overall is 4 stars is because they haven't yet implemented either the campaign or MP. I have no doubt that their next game will get the full 5 star treatment.

very good war game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: January 05, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is a very good war game. I would rate this game 5 star
but for thing. When you go into battle you can command a army,corp,division,and a brigade. A division brigade is my favorite to
command because it's small and easy to move around. A division is fun to
use to. How in the world can anybody command a army if the AI constantly moves my troops when you don't whant them to! That realy is the only bad thing about this game. This game has amazing graphics and detail. If you
are a history {nut} or a wargamer than I think this is the game for you.
Some of things I was amazed at was the fact that Thomas {Stonewall} Jackson can be seen sucking lemons and raising his arm in the air like he
is famous for doing. If you do buy this game than I will give you a little
tip. Use the 1st U.S. sharpshooters the are unstopible. Just so you know were to find them the are Y.W. Ripley.

Very Accurate historical game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 5
Date: November 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

If you like games that follow history and are fun to play you will enjoy this game. A little on the slow side as far as game play but over all a very good game for the Civil War persons

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