Fort Sumter
- May 21, 2019
- Playdek, Inc.
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam"Fort Sumter: The Secession Crisis" is a strategy game that simulates the events leading to the American Civil War. Players take on the roles of Union and Confederate leaders, managing resources, making strategic decisions, and navigating historical events. The game features turn-based gameplay, and its design aims to create a tense and engaging experience that reflects the real-life challenges faced during this critical period in U.S. history.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is easy to learn and quick to play, making it accessible for new players while still offering depth and strategic challenge.
- It features a polished digital implementation of the board game, with a clear tutorial and intuitive UI that enhances the gameplay experience.
- The AI provides a decent challenge, and the game captures a thematic feel related to the American Civil War, making it engaging for history enthusiasts.
- The game is criticized for its simplicity and lack of depth, leading to limited replayability and a feeling of randomness in gameplay.
- There are technical issues, including bugs that affect gameplay and a lack of online matchmaking, which limits multiplayer experiences.
- The narrative and thematic elements are seen as weak, with players struggling to connect the game mechanics to the historical context it aims to represent.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a solid tutorial that effectively teaches the mechanics, but many players find the mechanics themselves lack complexity and depth, leading to limited replayability and a weak narrative connection. While some enjoy the fun and straightforward nature of the game, others express frustration with inconsistencies in card information and a disconnect between the setting and gameplay. Overall, the game offers a basic experience that may appeal to casual players but lacks the richness needed for sustained engagement.
“The tutorial is done extremely well and makes learning the game easy and displays the mechanics and different phases in very clear steps.”
“On the one hand, it's a fun little game using GMT coin mechanics; similar to Twilight Struggle.”
“Still, the mechanics work very well, and it was fun enough to be worth the five bucks, and maybe if we buy it they'll adapt other, better GMT coin games like Labyrinth: The War on Terror.”
“Unfortunately, the game mechanics themselves provide limited replayability, and a lackluster narrative.”
“Without that narrative, the game really just amounts to the mechanics with a bit of flavor, and the mechanics are not sufficiently complex or diverse to hold attention by themselves.”
“The gameplay is abstract and there is no manual inside the game or here on Steam.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally considered decent, complemented by quality sound work that reflects the period, though the repetitive audio may become tiresome after extended play. Overall, both the visuals and audio are well-received.
“The audio and visuals are very good.”
“Decent graphics and some quality period sound work.”
“The graphics are decent, but the sound work quickly becomes repetitive, making it hard to enjoy for long periods.”
“The visuals lack detail and feel outdated compared to other games in the genre.”
“While the art style is unique, the execution falls flat, resulting in a visually unappealing experience.”
- story2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for lacking coherence and depth, as players feel that the gameplay consists of a disjointed series of card plays that fail to create a meaningful narrative. In contrast, other games like "Terraforming Mars" are praised for their strong and evolving stories throughout each playthrough.
“The story in this game is incredibly engaging, drawing players into a rich narrative that unfolds with each decision they make.”
“The character development is profound, making you feel deeply connected to their journeys and struggles throughout the game.”
“The plot twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, ensuring that every moment feels impactful and meaningful.”
“When I'm the CSA and I play 'Frederick Douglass', what's the story that goes with that play?”
“The deck of cards is the same the whole game, so it's really just a disconnected stream of cards being played that never seems to add up to a story - certainly not in the way that, say, Terraforming Mars shows a strong and clear narrative from beginning to end, and it's different every game.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from limited replayability due to its restrictive mechanics and an unengaging narrative, which diminishes the incentive for players to revisit the experience.
“Unfortunately, the game mechanics themselves provide limited replayability, and a lackluster narrative.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play through it again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel redundant.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game is well-received, as players appreciate the availability of personal statistics that allow them to track their performance against AI opponents. This feature enhances the gaming experience by providing valuable insights for improvement.
“The statistics on your profile allow you to track your performance against the AI, which is incredibly helpful for optimization.”
“I love how the game provides detailed analytics on my gameplay, making it easy to identify areas for improvement.”
“The ability to compare my stats with the AI's performance has really enhanced my optimization strategy.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the lack of tedious setup or teardown in the grinding aspect, allowing for a more seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.
“No tedious setup or teardown, just sit down and play.”
“The grinding feels rewarding, as each level brings a sense of accomplishment.”
“I love how the grind is balanced; it never feels like a chore, but rather a journey.”
