AGEOD's American Civil War

[GlobalExplorer]

When it comes to the strategy wargames (that so many of us are looking for), it seems independent development is finally taking up speed. Last year it was GalCiv2 that surprised everyone with its deep gameplay and strong AI, now we have a grand campaign game of the American Civil War that does everything right. It even has great graphics.

I have played for about a week (almost straight), and I am still excited. This must be the grandest campaign game I ever played, and I have played quite a few .. The level of enjoyment I had was comparable to Shogun Total War when it came out, and I havent had that since with any other strategy game.

There are just too many good things that I can say about this game. Support seems to be 1st rate, the lead developers are even answering questions in the forums. Also no probs with ordering and shipping.

There is information and a demo on the official site:

http://www.a-acw.com/english/main.html

and a link to a review at wargamer

http://www.wargamer.com/reviews/ageod_civilwar/

This is however an extremely complex game, so much that it came as a shock to me. The workload is very high, and it took me about two days before I got the rules. After that it was pure joy, but I must admit that it was hard work in the beginning. Just saying that because after playing I was undecided if I should order, fortunately I did!

Highly recommended.

[GlobalExplorer]

FYI, they are also working on a Napoleonic grand strategy game that is to be released 2008 but already looks irresistible:

http://www.ageod.com/forums/showthread.php?p=38867#post38867

[eddie]

Just got Ageod's ACW, and it is a great sim! Plenty of detail, but doesn't bog down with too much of it, which I like.:)

[PeriscopeDepth]

Just got Ageod's ACW, and it is a great sim! Plenty of detail, but doesn't bog down with too much of it, which I like.:)

I agree, the complexity is perfectly balanced. AGEOD is far and away my favorite strategy game developer.

PD

[eddie]

PD, I saw this thread at Matrix on this sim, and had a good laugh! Not real long, but read it through, some funny stuff in there,lol

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1510151

[stabiz]

I`ll give the demo a whirl.

[PeriscopeDepth]

If anybody's up for a PBEM, let me know. I'll probably be able to do 5 turns a week or so.

PD

[Subtype Zero]

Hi, GP! Thanks for redirecting me to this forum.

After reading your posts and visiting several forums, I think I am leaning more towards Boa2 at this point. I have also downloaded the demo for ACW-BG, but haven't got past the tutorials yet. I am 99% sure I will be purchasing at least one of these games, though, because I have been very impressed with Ageod's continued support, patching of the game, and their presence on their forums.

Unfortunately, a large part of my decision will probably rest on retail price. If Boa2 is much over $45-50 I will probably have to go with ACW-BG. Darned economy and teaching salary! :damn:

[GlobalExplorer]

Sure. Take your time with your decision and play all demos until you know enough. These games can be worth years of enjoyment but not for everyone.

[PeriscopeDepth]

Yeah, BoA 2 isn't even out yet, is it? Just go with whichever historical era you have more interest in, IMO.

PD

[GlobalExplorer]

But BoA2 is slated for a release on 4th of July and it looks like there will be no significant delays.

I also stressed in another thread that they are somewhat different games, and you should think very hard which one is better. If you make the right decision you can still get other titles, but if the first game disspoints you you will in all likelihood not.

Let me therefore reiterate the points I wrote before:

ACW: unbelievable grand campaign, the best and longest I have ever seen. A single campaign game can be played for weeks - until the whole war with it's strategic, individual, economic, political nuances is developing in front of you - and still it won't get boring.

Boa2: lots of small to medium campaigns. But the new version will have all AI and gameplay improvements of the two recent games. Devs themselves state that it is more "elegant", which I interpret that it is not as complex but better for beginners.

Dont forget there is also Napoleans Campaigns which is (in contrast to the name) purely scenario based. I couldnt get into it because it lacks the mentioned campaign of ACW.

My recommendation is to go with ACW, which I can say from my personal experience is a truly great and outstanding game, and it is extremely polished through constant improvements and patches.

Maybe it would be nice if ppl like PD also post some experiences / reommendations - maybe we have a responsibility to make people aware of these not so well known games.

[PeriscopeDepth]

I honestly believe if you are into operational-level wargaming campaigns, there is plenty of room for both AACW and BoA 2 (I didn't like NCP as much because of no overlying campaign, and I never could get pumped about the the Napoleonic era. I'm a weird wargamer.) AACW has a grander scale than BoA2 geographically speaking, as already mentioned. And that could turn some people off. And I think in terms of turns played, AACW isn't /that/ much bigger than BoA2 (or at least wasn't for BoA1).

And I didn't know they were planning on July 4, thanks!

PD

[GlobalExplorer]

And I think in terms of turns played, AACW isn't /that/ much bigger than BoA2 (or at least wasn't for BoA1).

Thanks, I haven't played BoA1 and this is good news to me!

[GlobalExplorer]

Someone should have posted screenshots!

http://www.a-acw.com/images/AACWscreenshot4.jpg

http://www.a-acw.com/images/AACWscreenshot2.jpg

http://www.a-acw.com/images/AACWscreenshot8.jpg

http://www.a-acw.com/images/AACWscreenshot7.jpg

[Happy Times]

I tested the demo, its great!:up: T
The game isnt for sale in Finland, il have to find it somewhere else.:hmm:

[GlobalExplorer]

I tested the demo, its great!:up: T
The game isnt for sale in Finland, il have to find it somewhere else.:hmm:

Then wait until you see the real campaign where you can recruit new units and have control over any operation on the huge map.

I think it's no problem at all to get it in Europe. I ordered directly from ageod in France, and they sent me a DVD box to Germany.

http://www.birth-of-america2.com/ageod/eu/acw.php

You could also order from amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Civil-War-PC-CD/dp/B000U55UGO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1215372740&sr=1-1)

Bur ignore the terrible reviews on that site, most of the reviewers got the game through amazon vine (i.e. they have zero interest int his kind of game) and there has been a lot of discussion in the forum how this is very unfair to sales on amazon.

Also check my other thread about Boa2 which was just released on friday.

[Happy Times]

Anyone still playing this?
I got back in to the game after i bought it again and they are still updating this thing!:woot:
They are porting stuff from the new titles with the same engine.
I want to get in to the PBEM playing at some point but the AI is still good and even improved.

American civil war is one of the most interesting play settings there is and im happy that they are making a sequel to this title.

Check it out.:03:
http://www.a-acw.com/english/main.html

http://www.ageod-forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78

[Raptor1]

Don't have AACW, but I do have Rise of Prussia, which I find a more interesting setting.

They're making a sequel to AACW? I've not heard of it. I do know they're working on a Victorian era game called Vainglory/Pride of Nations and a Russian Civil War game (Which is one of the most awesome settings still completely overlooked by computer gaming...after the Thirty Years' War, of course...) that's supposed to come out next month.

[Bilge_Rat]

Anyone still playing this?
I got back in to the game after i bought it again and they are still updating this thing!:woot:
They are porting stuff from the new titles with the same engine.
I want to get in to the PBEM playing at some point but the AI is still good and even improved.

American civil war is one of the most interesting play settings there is and im happy that they are making a sequel to this title.

Check it out.:03:
http://www.a-acw.com/english/main.html

http://www.ageod-forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78

there is a big PBEM community for AACW over at the AEGOD forums, still seems their most popular game.

[Bilge_Rat]

Don't have AACW, but I do have Rise of Prussia, which I find a more interesting setting.

They're making a sequel to AACW? I've not heard of it. I do know they're working on a Victorian era game called Vainglory/Pride of Nations and a Russian Civil War game (Which is one of the most awesome settings still completely overlooked by computer gaming...after the Thirty Years' War, of course...) that's supposed to come out next month.

I picked up Rise of Prussia a few months back and have been spending much time with it. IMHO, it is the most realistic strategy/operational game on 18th century warfare on the market. It really gives you a feel for the challenge faced by Frederick the Great.

The upcoming Russian Civil War game looks like a must buy as well.

It is nice to see a developper producing games on lesser known conflicts. I am getting tired of just seeing ww2 wargames.

[Happy Times]

Don't have AACW, but I do have Rise of Prussia, which I find a more interesting setting.

They're making a sequel to AACW? I've not heard of it. I do know they're working on a Victorian era game called Vainglory/Pride of Nations and a Russian Civil War game (Which is one of the most awesome settings still completely overlooked by computer gaming...after the Thirty Years' War, of course...) that's supposed to come out next month.

The developers are gathering an impressive wishlist.
It is their most popular game still and im sure that AACW2 will do even better.
The Russian civil war will also include a Finnish scenario but im not really that excited. Maybe we look on your side of the bond for a interesting setting and vice versa.:DL

[GlobalExplorer]

AACW2, is it announced?

AGEOD is now property of Paradox and VGN was renamed Pride Of Nations :-?

In the meantime I also wrote a review for BoA2 / Wars In America (http://www.tacticularcancer.com/content.php?id=60)

Check it out, also has a section "getting started" with 10 important steps.

I still think AACW is the best, but perhaps because I am mostly interested in the setting.

[Happy Times]

AACW2, is it announced?

AGEOD is now property of Paradox and VGN was renamed Pride Of Nations :-?

In the meantime I also wrote a review for BoA2 / Wars In America (http://www.tacticularcancer.com/content.php?id=60)

Check it out, also has a section "getting started" with 10 important steps.

I still think AACW is the best, but perhaps because I am mostly interested in the setting.

As the developers are gathering a wishlist i think its fairly certain to come out. :hmmm:
Any interest in a PBEM at somepoint in ACW? :D
Your review got me interested about the Wars in America, im one of those James Fennimore Cooper fans. :D

[Raptor1]

As the developers are gathering a wishlist i think its fairly certain to come out. :hmmm:
Any interest in a PBEM at somepoint in ACW? :D
Your review got me interested about the Wars in America, im one of those James Fennimore Cooper fans. :D

The wishlist thread isn't official, as far as I know. Don't think the devs started it...

EDIT: Though since AACW is supposedly their best selling game, the chances of a sequel are pretty high.