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Best Civil War Computer Game Available - Bar None

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 45 / 48
Date: April 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

In the interest of full disclosure I want to mention that I was an uncompensated playtester for this game. I've been a Civil War buff for almost all of my 27 years and I've been playing Civil War computer and board games since the age of 6. I can honestly say that this is the best Civil War game for computer that I've ever played. The first time I played MMG's first game, Bull Run Take Command 1861, I knew I was hooked. The game truly makes it feel like you are there. Your heart pounds as the enemy line dissappears behind a ridge and then reappears minutes later...and much closer! The explosions around and over your troops as they take artillery fire indicate that this isn't going to be an easy fight. The game is also extremely moddable. Do a web search on Take Command or Mad Minute Games and you'll find numerous fan sites (including mine) that offer new scenarios, new graphics, new sounds, new OOBs, etc. Honest Abe is correct when he/she says that there is no multiplayer. However, the game is great even without multiplayer. Open Play offers unlimited gaming and you'll never have the same experience twice. If you don't believe me or the other reviewers who gave this game a positive ranking, feel free to try the free demo, available at many places. If you are a Civil War buff and you play computer games, you will absolutely love this one.

Best War Game Ever!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 27 / 30
Date: April 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is the game I have dreamed about for years! This is a must buy for any history buff who also enjoys wargaming. The game's realism is superior to anything ever presented in a war game, from the painstakingly rendered terrain to the same care in researching and presenting historically accurate scenarios. The game is tremendously immersing - the "you are there" factor is off the charts, from the realistic AI, which represents personalities and their reaction to stressful situations on a level not shown in any game I can think of, to the booming cannon and rolling crash of small arms. I cannot recommend this game enough. And yet, to top it off, this is not a game from some giant developer. This is a product of two dedicated guys, who gave it their all in its creation. 2nd Manassas and its eagerly awaited sequels, representing other Civil War battles, are slated for gaming history. Dig in!

Replay value is tremendous

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 22 / 24
Date: April 18, 2006
Author: Amazon User

While I could go on and on about the great graphics, superb game play, and most excellent AI (that is as good as, if not better, than a human opponent), I am instead going to focus on the replay value of this gem.

First of all you get a whopping 48 historical scenarios that cover the battles of Cedar Mountain, 2nd Manassas, and Chantilly. In these battles the force under your direct command will range from a tiny 3 regiment brigade of 800 men, all the way up to an entire army of more than 60,000 men. Most of these scenarios have branching decision trees in them that introduce variations with each replay that range from very subtle, to extreme.

Even if you play a scenario twice and it takes the same branch, the game will still play differently because to the personalities of the AI commanders. That's right, I said "personalities". Each and every commander in the game has a personality that is rated for such things as initiative, ability, etc. Therefore, a commander's actions will be influenced by his personality. A timid commander will tend to hold back, while an aggressive one will take the battle to the enemy, which is all well and good if he has mad skills, but that is nothing quite as bad a an aggressive leader who is incompetent, and believe me, you will find some of those in the game (General Banks for one).

So, after playing, and perhaps replaying all 48 historical scenarios, you still have Open Play to explore. Open Play is just that. First you pick a battlefield from one of the eight maps that come with the came. Next you pick what type of battle it will be with options ranging from meeting engagements, defensive, offensive, or set-piece battles. Then you pick what order of battle to use such as Cedar Mountain, 2nd Manassas, etc. (side note: there are already several custom OOBs created by users that you can also download and enjoy). Next you select which particular commander you want to be, and this can be anything from the commander of a single artillery battery all the way to army commander. Finally you decide how long you want the battle to last. Then the game will start with you units placed at variable (yet sensible) locations on the map and the battle commences. There are literally thousands of possible combinations for open play, and you will most likely never exhaust them.

In conclusion, for your $40 bucks you not only get an outstanding game, but it will keep you playing for many months, if not years to come. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

Best Tactical Civil War Game to Date!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 19
Date: August 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

No other tactical Civil War Game made for the computer even comes close to matching the realism or sense of "being there" present in Take Command 2nd Manassas. Graphically, Take Command is the most visually impressive Civil War Game available. This newest version of Take Command includes multiple uniform types for each side's infantry (among them some particularly impressive New York Zouaves and Iron Brigade "Black Hats"). Different versions of the Army of Northern Virginia Battle Flag, individual State/Regimental flags, and separate graphics for rifled and smoothbore artillery are other nice graphical touches, while the High Resolution sprites, look pretty good up close. Furthermore, Take Command is the first 19th century tactical game to present units at a 1:10 scale (older games generally used a 1:50 or 1:40 scale) and actually track the action of each and every soldier/sprite on the screen. Watching a division step off to attack and shake out into battle line when is a truly impressive sight. In scenarios featuring both full armies on the field, you can have over 10,000 figures battling out at the same time.

Game play in Take Command is enjoyable and tactically challenging, and in many ways it is more of Civil War command simulator than a game. Take Command is one of the few 19th century tactical games to actually try to simulate and differentiate between different levels of command. In some scenarios, you are a simple brigade commander and in other scenarios you command the whole army. Even more impressive, you can give orders to your subordinate units and they will generally try to carry them out to the best of their ability (though good luck trying to get an aggressive general like John B. Hood to defend), while at the same time you will receive orders from above. Behind the scenes, Take Command tracks the effects of terrain, marching, combat, casualties, and defeating other units on the morale and fatigue of each unit. The Take Command data files include just about every type of firearm used in the Civil War, including breechloading carbines and sharpshooting rifles, and accurately models the differences between them. Just ask any player who has had to deal with the Sharpes-armed 1st and 2nd US Sharpshooters.

Do not let the title "2nd Manassas" fool you either. Though it implies the game only covers one battle, it in fact covers all four major engagements of the 2nd Manassas campaign: Cedar Mountain, Brawner's Farm, 2nd Manassas, and Chantilly. Combined with random battles generated in Open Play (which gives you the options to fight offensive or defensive battles and meeting engagements starting either in close contact or so far apart you need your cavalry to find the other side) there is almost unlimited replayability. Only the lack of multiplayer tarnishes Take Command's longevity, but on the other hand the AI in the game is one of the best in a real time wargame. Unlike many real time and wargames, it plays by the same rules as the player (does not cheat). Like a human, it will make boneheaded decisions from time to time, but it generally presents a very good a challenge.

Finally, Take Command has an excellent webpage and user forum where you can get just about any question answered, and where the developers regularly hang out to answer questions and keep the community informed on new projects. If you have any interest in the American Civil War or 19th Century tactical warfare, Take Command 2nd Manassas is a must buy. Also keep an eye out for Mad Minute's next project, Take Command: Shiloh . . .

BEST CIVIL WAR GAME EVER MADE

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 18
Date: August 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

There was a time when the colors on a computer screen were limited to black, white, and magenta. In those ancient and distant days there was a game called "Gettysburg: The Turning Point". It showed some vague lines that somehow were meant to represent the battlefield of Gettysburg and the troops that fought there. Being a civil war "nut" (I have been interpreting civil war history to visitors at Gettysburg for 25 years) and an early PC user, I bought, played, and was fascinated by the game. Since those days of 5-1/4" floppy disks I have played many subsequent civil war games. My favorite (until now) was "Sid Meier's Gettysburg".

I accidently stumbled on the Mad Minute Games (the company that produces "Take Command: Second Manassas") web site a couple years ago when their first game was still in development. The early screen shots of lines of infantry on an actual realistically rendered battlefield had me hooked. I am thoroughly convinced "Take Command: Second Manassas" is the best civil war game ever made. No other game takes you to ground level and puts you in the ranks with the troops.

You can also view the battle from high up (different scenarios allow you to elevate your view to different heights). Hills, valleys, woods, streams, cornfields, wheatfields, fences, etc. are all present and must be used to tactical advantage just as a civil war commander did. Viewing a line of troops in battle, you will be able to watch as men drop from being hit. Cannister rounds will kick up dirt as it decimates a line of troops. You will issue orders to your subordinates and just as in real life sometimes they will obey and sometimes they will interpret the orders in a way you didn't intend. Sometimes the courier carrying those orders may get killed and the orders won't arrive. You'll see long columns of troops winding down a road on it's way to meet the enemy.

Many different scenarios are offered. An "Open" play provides random battles. You can command whatever level you choose: regiment, brigade, division, or army. You can have under your command infantry, artillery, and cavalry. The AI is superb and will kick your [...]

I'm not going to spend a lot of time discussing all the details of the game. For a full description of all the features go to the Mad Minute Games web site. Visit the forum on the web site. It's one of the most friendly, mature, and helpful on the web.

Take Command: 2nd Manassas - A Truly Great PC Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 20
Date: April 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game was released today, but the beta was available to those who had preordered for some months now. I can tell you that this game has been worth the wait for those who enjoy PC Gaming and especially those who enjoy Wargaming.

1. This is a hybrid and unique RTS game experience. The developer's have been successful in uncannily dropping the player into immersive Civil War scenarios. The game truly makes you feel like you are in command of Civil War units, in very precise historical engagements. You are literally recreating battles that really took place, but now you are able to give orders and see if you could have possibly changed history.

2. The graphics have been improved since the previous Civil War Bull Run release of Jan-2005, which I personally thought were fine, though I am a tactical and strategic oriented gamer. The graphics of Take Command: 2nd Manassas now are of a high definition quality that should satisfy even the most visually oriented player.

3. The game is developed by Mad Minute Games and is being published by Paradox. MMG's last release was top quality at the inital release, and they are extroardinary in their support for those who purchase their games. The developer's are truly a part of the community that supports this game, and you can see that very quickly by visiting their Forum.

4. I think anyone who enjoys PC Games and especially those who enjoy Wargaming will find this game the best possible mix, of strategic, tactical, exciting, and immersive gaming. And the excitement comes from a real continuing buildup based on the decisions you make, not the mindless excitement you see in so many FPS or some other RTS games.

5. And lastly the replayability of MMG's games are simply phenomenal. Based on Civil War Bull Run they have developed an AI that literally keeps you on your toes, months and now moving into years later, and to think that Take Command: 2nd Manassas is an improvement on the AI of Civil War Bull Run just makes it that much better.

Raginhood: Big Hat, No Cattle...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 22
Date: April 24, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Raginhood is a well known troll in the gaming community and posted this (ahem) "review" for no other reason then spite--his typical mode of operation. He talks the talk...and that's about it. I'm sure his "3000+" friends hang on the very edges of their seats 24/7 just hopin' he'll clear his voice to hear himself speak. But as usual...Big Hat, No cattle...

What more can I say

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 17
Date: April 21, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The other reviews of this game are spot on. I am an avid strategic and tactical gamer, but i tend to shy away from real time games as they are dominated by the typical "Clone and Conquer" type click-fests that care more about looks than substance. This game absolutely blows me away. Not only does it look good, but it has the substance to back it up. The attention to historical detail is so precise that i feel this game is as close as one can get to understanding what battle was like during the Civil War. If you are into the Civil War, or are sick of run of the mill "resource gathering and rush the enemy" type games and want a true tactical experience, then get this game.

Most impressive Civil War tactical game yet made for the PC

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 19
Date: April 27, 2006
Author: Amazon User

To anyone who's interested in a realistic American Civil War tactical game which delivers plenty of historical insight into how these battles were fought, I highly recommend you download the demo for this game, and try it for yourself. The demo is lacking some of the features of the full game (especially high res uniforms, for those with 2 gigs of video RAM, and the linked scenarios), but you will get an idea of how the game plays.

Simply put, this game is the best on the subject ever made for the computer, and it rivals, in some respects, the wonderful 'Regimental Sub-Series' paper wargames (the latter are loaded with historical insight, but also require quite a bit of bookkeeping, and are a major time committment).

One really nice addition to this release from the first game (the unmarketed, and largely unknown 1st Manassas, from the same design team), is thhe linked scenarios -- if the player does well enough in the first scenario of a chain, he 'unlocks' the next in line, and plays it as the follow-up, etc. It forces the player to be a litte more conservative with his soldier's 'lives', as he will need them down the line.

Highly recommended to anyone interested in the subject, or to anyone who enjoys a great wargame. The only reason I rate this a '4' for fun is because it lacks multiplayer -- MadMinute is not some large software house, just a couple of guys doing this in their spare time, so they were not able to get it in. Too bad, as this would be a blast playing online with a friend -- the wonderful, large maps, and the fog of war would make for plenty of sneaky surprises. Oh well, maybe in the next game, if this one is a success.

This game is a winner

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 18
Date: April 25, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I don't see how someone could say this game is for children. It has one of the best AIs I have ever seen. It is so good that it beats me on a fairly regular basis, and without any cheating that I can detect. That being said, I have had more fun getting beat in this game than in winning most others that I have played. The game simply does a masterful job of putting you into the saddle of the historical commander and facing you with the same types of decisions they had to make.

This game is not just about thinking either. It is about feelings and emotions. One minute you are screaming at your virtual fellow brigadier because he will not move up to support you, and the next you cheer as another commander arrives in time to save your wavering line from being overrun. At other times your gut will churn as you contemplete attacking that enemy battery across an open field, or you will shout "hurrah!" as your boys rout the enemy.

Finally, don't take my word or anyone else's for that matter. Go to the MadMinute website and download the demo. Take it for a spin and see if you are not hooked.

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