Ultimate General: Civil War

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,059 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Ultimate General: Civil War Game Cover
History repeats itself, but will you replay history or re-write it?
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Ultimate General: Civil War is a tactical simulation game that allows players to lead forces of the American Civil War. Command land and naval battles, manage resources, and make strategic decisions in this immersive and historically accurate war game. Experience the full scale of the Civil War with over 50 battles, including famous engagements like Gettysburg and Antietam.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,059 reviews
gameplay198 positive mentions
stability39 negative mentions
  • Engaging and immersive gameplay that captures the essence of Civil War battles.
  • Deep army management system allows for customization of units, weapons, and strategies.
  • Challenging AI that requires thoughtful tactics and planning to succeed.
  • Campaign battles are overly scripted, leading to frustrating experiences when victories don't impact future battles.
  • Enemy scaling can feel unfair, as they often outnumber the player regardless of previous victories.
  • Controls can be clunky and unintuitive, making unit management cumbersome during large battles.
  • gameplay620 mentions

    The gameplay of "Ultimate General: Civil War" is generally praised for its engaging mechanics, historical accuracy, and strategic depth, allowing players to manage large armies and experience intense battles. However, many reviews highlight issues such as scaling mechanics that can lead to frustrating imbalances, AI behavior that sometimes feels scripted, and a lack of clarity in certain mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, players appreciate the game's potential for immersive tactical gameplay and the satisfaction derived from mastering its systems.

    • “The gameplay is fun with a good balance of difficulty.”
    • “It takes the really fun mechanics of maneuvering large armies, brigade by brigade against each other and expands upon it with the campaign system where every battle won and lost will change the composition of your forces, giving more importance to how you treat your soldiers.”
    • “The gameplay is rewarding, the graphics are brilliant, the sound is authentic, the music is epic, the AI is the most cunning I have seen in any strategy game ever (and this to me is perhaps the biggest selling point as other RTS games always bore me to death with brain-dead AI).”
    • “However, it should be made aware that the game does have some bugs or odd mechanics that can cause frustration for the player, and the two campaigns are a bit imbalanced (the Union campaign was, at points, far too easy while the Confederate campaign was much more difficult than it might have been).”
    • “The AI sucks; gameplay example: I was getting shelled from an enemy fort, I then tied their infantry up with two divisions while I sent two on a wide flanking maneuver to enter the fort and eliminate the guns... both my divisions decided to ignore their orders and just charged stupidly into the infantry in the fort and got shelled in the back by artillery.”
    • “The gameplay becomes boring after a couple of hours.”
  • graphics386 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as simple yet effective, with many players appreciating the unique art style and vibrant visuals that enhance the historical setting. While some reviews note that the graphics may not compete with high-end titles like Total War, they are deemed sufficient for the gameplay experience, which emphasizes strategy over visual flair. Overall, the graphics are considered pleasant and functional, contributing positively to the immersive atmosphere of the game.

    • “The art style of this game cannot be described as anything other than gorgeous.”
    • “The graphics are superb and the ability to build your own brigades and corps make it a lot of fun in that you can still play historical battles, but this time create your own tactics to create different historical results.”
    • “Beautiful graphic design, each map is unique and immersive.”
    • “Maps are completely untouched by artillery fire and other than poor visuals of explosions and bomb craters, that's it.”
    • “The game has poor graphics and poor gameplay, plus it doesn't have a custom mode, which I think is essential for this kind of game.”
    • “The graphics look disgusting and they put this game up for £22; don't even get it on sale unless it's like £2, which is what this game should be. The gameplay is boring and slow with no satisfaction when you take out a unit; trust me, you'll end up refunding it after halfway through the first mission.”
  • story302 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and linearity, with many players noting that while the missions are historically themed, they often feel disconnected and scripted. Players appreciate the tactical elements and customization options but express frustration over the difficulty and design of early missions, which can be overly challenging and poorly balanced. Overall, while the game offers a series of engaging battles, the narrative fails to provide a cohesive or immersive storyline, leading to a mixed reception regarding its storytelling.

    • “Ultimate General gives you a series of interconnected single-player missions.”
    • “The progression system is a lot of fun, and you feel the weight of each mission as if your fictional corps really did take part in these epic battles.”
    • “Its is a great game, very playable with a bit of story as well.”
    • “There is no storyline to hold a player's attention as the game plays out.”
    • “The first mission of the campaign is more-or-less a tutorial, but with such a straightforward UI it really isn't difficult to get going.”
    • “The missions in the campaign are heavily scripted.”
  • replayability128 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players noting that the variety of strategies, army management, and adaptive AI contribute to a fresh experience in each playthrough. While some reviewers express concerns about limited replay value after completing campaigns or suggest the need for more content, the majority highlight the game's potential for endless replayability through different approaches and challenges. Customization options and the ability to switch sides further enhance the replay experience, making it a compelling choice for strategy enthusiasts.

    • “Hands down the definitive RTS for Civil War combat; streamlined and simple enough to be accessible, yet nuanced enough to have near infinite replayability.”
    • “Better than the whole Total War range, Civ, COH... endless replayability when one can test multiple approaches for a single battle.”
    • “The variety of troops and weaponry make the game fun and replayable since you can deploy completely different strategies each playthrough.”
    • “It's my personal favorite RTS gameplay, accurately portrays Civil War battles to a surprising degree, but has little to no replayability after the two campaigns.”
    • “The only thing missing is some depth in the strategic gameplay - the campaigns are static, you just go from battle to battle, which lowers the replayability.”
    • “I personally don't see much replay value after having played each campaign once through, but there's enough content here to make it worth buying.”
  • music49 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of variety and a limited soundtrack that doesn't fully capture the Civil War era. While some appreciate the fitting sound effects and atmospheric audio during battles, others express disappointment over the absence of traditional period music and the repetitiveness of the existing tracks. Overall, the sound design is considered functional but could benefit from a more diverse and immersive musical experience.

    • “The music suits the time period.”
    • “Great game, great soundtrack.”
    • “Sound and music is excellent (opinions may vary with taste).”
    • “The soundtrack only has two songs, maybe three.”
    • “The game is missing the option for some kind of music during the battles, which they included in Age of Sail, and it was quite good in that game.”
    • “One bad note is there doesn't seem to be any music relevant to the period in the game, which is disappointing.”
  • stability45 mentions

    The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting a range of bugs and glitches that can significantly impact gameplay, such as pathfinding issues and AI behavior problems. While some players experience smooth performance with few to no crashes, others find the game frustratingly unplayable due to frequent freezes and major glitches. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely among players, with some enjoying it despite its flaws, while others feel that the issues detract from the overall experience.

    • “By the way, the game works perfectly for me, no glitches.”
    • “The other significant things to note are that the game seems to be 100% bug free and loads easily and quickly.”
    • “It looks fine; I think I preferred the Gettysburg controls, but these will do. The game runs superbly, with no glitches or bugs, and the help and instructions are excellent.”
    • “But even with years of updates and many more years of extensive modding, the AI and the event triggers are still often broken or buggy, seemingly hardcoded to maximize misery.”
    • “I loved this game from the beginning but became more frustrated as I noticed there wasn't much improvement over the months and I began to feel like this was just a rushed game since I couldn't get past the bugs and glitches.”
    • “Very very buggy game right now, with a mediocre design.”
  • grinding44 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly in army management and campaign progression. While some appreciate the realistic simulation of warfare, they often feel overwhelmed by the repetitive nature of battles and the lengthy process of reorganizing troops. Overall, the game can become a grind, requiring significant time investment for minimal rewards, which detracts from the overall enjoyment for many players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “That said, I would have even more hours in the game if the 'army camp' portion, where you form and organize your army, were not so painfully tedious.”
    • “Compared to others I've played, it takes me months if not a whole year to finish a single total war campaign because of how tedious it gets.”
    • “The army building between battles also became tedious, as it just comes down to getting the biggest army you can with the best guns, using cavalry or skirmishers seems like a waste of time, and trying to have a small elite army doesn't work with the AI mob, so just fill out the army with the most troops you can.”
  • optimization38 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on various platforms with high graphics settings and handles large battles without performance issues, players express frustration over the limited impact of their battlefield performance on the overall campaign. Many reviewers note that the game lacks flexibility in its campaign structure and graphics options, leading to a feeling of inconsistency in how performance translates to gameplay outcomes. Despite these concerns, the visuals and unit development aspects are generally well-received, contributing to an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.

    • “These traits increase (or decrease) based on the unit’s performance.”
    • “Overall the campaign features a good reward system where good performance means a better army with more veteran units which allows you to 'snowball' somewhat.”
    • “The enemy army still scales in size based on the size of the player's army, but the enemy is now penalized based on the player's performance in prior battles and the minor engagements of the campaign.”
    • “Basically, the game becomes an optimization in how to cheese scaling rather than optimizing maneuvering, tactics, and anything else that you expect from an RTS.”
    • “Again, I love the game, but I cannot recommend a game that lies about its minimum system requirements and provides no options whatsoever for changing the graphics or performance settings.”
    • “This is why some people gave this game negative reviews: it feels a little inconsistent that your campaign performance has such a low impact on how the battles play out.”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive audio and realistic visuals, effectively drawing players into the historical setting. While it successfully creates a compelling environment reminiscent of classic RTS titles, some players feel that the on-rails design and difficulty can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the combination of sound, graphics, and historical elements contributes to a rich and engaging atmosphere.

    • “The audio also does a great job of pulling you in and creating atmosphere.”
    • “This game manages to create a brilliant atmosphere and realism while maintaining fun gameplay.”
    • “It's rare for an RTS to create a lot of atmosphere, and this one has it by the cannon full!”
    • “What hampers it is that it has the on-rails atmosphere of a game like Company of Heroes 2, but it also makes you manage and maintain your units like in Red Dragon or Total War.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its self-deprecating and situational comedy, as players find amusement in their own tactical blunders and the absurdity of battle scenarios. Many reviews highlight moments where unexpected events, like humorous voiceovers or the consequences of poor strategy, lead to entertaining outcomes, making even losses feel enjoyable. Overall, the game successfully blends challenging gameplay with a lighthearted approach, allowing players to laugh at their misfortunes while engaging in strategic battles.

    • “I do think that if you get a complete victory at the 1st Bull Run as the Union, the game should end right there because it'd be funny.”
    • “I am just kidding, lol! That would be absolutely hilarious, Jarvis.”
    • “I've never had more fun in my life losing in a game than now. I absolutely love this game because it puts up with my foolish tactics and then hands me more men to punish in the next battle. The foolishness will never end for me!”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply impactful, often recalling intense feelings tied to their experiences with in-game units and the consequences of their decisions. The combination of strategic gameplay and historical context fosters a strong emotional investment, making victories feel rewarding and losses particularly heartbreaking. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke genuine emotions, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

    • “I still remember what a rush it was and how emotional it was hearing those tunes.”
    • “It can be heartbreaking to see a pet division you've raised up from nothing and equipped with the best gear get melted under a withering salvo of cannon and musket fire while you're on approach to a defended enemy fort.”
    • “When you recruit a new brigade, give it a name, fight it through a half dozen battles over 10+ hours, replenish it from your limited supply of veterans, give it your best weapons from your measly supply of guns, and finally see it progress to elite status - only to see it cut to pieces by grapeshot in 10 seconds after you charge it headlong into a battery of enemy artillery because you need to take the point they're sitting on before the clock runs out ... well it was a fairly emotional experience which I'll need a bereavement counselor to help me get over.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is praised for effectively enhancing player attachment to their units and army commanders, with small but impactful elements that contribute to a deeper connection within the game.

    • “The army manager is great, and the small elements of character development work really well, giving you an added sense of attachment to your unit and army commanders.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers indicate that the game offers potential for microtransactions or DLC that could appeal to history enthusiasts, suggesting a willingness to invest in additional content.

    • “There is a real possibility for microtransactions or DLC that history nerds like myself would gladly pay for.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should just to enjoy the full experience.”
    • “I can't believe how many in-game purchases are required to progress; it feels like a paywall at every turn.”
    • “The constant prompts for microtransactions ruin the immersion and make it hard to enjoy the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Ultimate General: Civil War

Play time

42hMedian play time
93hAverage play time
24-200hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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