SGS Halls of Montezuma

About

"Halls of Montezuma" is a strategy game set during the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. As the USA, your goal is to conquer Mexico City before opposition in Congress ends the war. As Mexico, you must hold out against the American invasion until internal politics can bring an end to the conflict. The game features multiple scenarios that cover different stages of the war, including the disputed territories in Texas and the famous 1847 campaign of General Winfield Scott.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+11

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

stability12 negative mentions

The game offers an interesting and often neglected historical perspective on the Mexican War, providing educational value alongside entertainment.
Graphics and UI are praised for being visually appealing and intuitive, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
The game includes a variety of scenarios and mechanics that add depth, making it engaging for players who enjoy strategic decision-making.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs, including issues with unit movement and game freezes, which significantly detract from the gameplay experience.
Many players report frustrating mechanics, such as the inability to complete naval invasions and unclear supply rules, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction.
The tutorial is criticized for being difficult to understand, and the overall game flow can feel choppy and unpolished, making it hard for new players to grasp.

stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is reported to be quite unstable, with numerous bugs causing freezing issues and hindering gameplay, particularly during critical actions like attacking or laying siege. While some users find it a decent introduction to the genre, the persistent technical problems significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “You will spend more time trying to get a unit or stack of units to attack a city or lay siege, and the buggy game will not let you do that.”
- “The game sort of freezes up because it is waiting for you to use the card, but it won't let you do anything.”
- “Insanely buggy.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their stunning quality, vibrant colors, and sharp counter graphics that enhance the boardgame experience. While some users noted marginal and somewhat blocky graphics, the overall artwork and user interface received high marks for their excellence. Additionally, the game is complemented by a strong soundtrack and informative tutorials, adding to its visual appeal.
- “The graphics are amazing and the game engine/mechanics are well thought out and implemented.”
- “The artwork is breathtakingly good and the UI excels.”
- “Excellent, colorful graphics, an awesome soundtrack and manual, and a wonderful video tutorial are just icing on the cake.”
- “- marginal graphics - somewhat blocky”
- “There has not been a game from this era since the excellent 'Age of Rifles' on DOS way back in the early days. 'SGS Halls of Montezuma' seems pretty accurate both geographically and perhaps historically, but it's not for me and it may not be for you either.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The story is enhanced by the inclusion of historical elements, such as newspapers and events, which provide a rich backstory and create innovative mission scenarios. Players appreciate how these features contribute to the narrative depth and the strategic aspects of gameplay, particularly in relation to political dynamics during wartime.
- “Adding historical flavor in the form of newspapers and events is a nice touch that sets some historical backstory and also allows for some innovative mission-like situations, like having to take a certain territory to show progress before political opponents to the war get angry.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised, described as excellent and complementing the colorful graphics and overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the awesome soundtrack, which enhances the gameplay.
- “I think it looks nice and the music is excellent.”
- “Excellent, colorful graphics, an awesome soundtrack and manual, and a wonderful video tutorial are just icing on the cake.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is highly praised for its impressive graphics and well-designed game mechanics, which contribute to a smooth and engaging experience.
- “The graphics are amazing and the game engine/mechanics are well thought out and implemented.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly during battles, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. The repetitive nature of these encounters is a common point of frustration among users.
- “The grinding in this game is mind-numbingly tedious, and I don't expect total war every time a battle occurs.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes the gameplay feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
- “I find the grinding aspect to be incredibly monotonous, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”