Civil War II

Having owned and played the original Ageod Civil War I had high expectations for this game. The graphics got a significant upgrade and the historical detail has been raised which for me as a Civil War reenactor and enthusiast is excellent. The game is quite confusing at first having played the previous version I had some clue as to a general strategy but it was difficult to execute with the card system that is in place. I'm not a huge fan of the card system I like what some of the options do, but I feel like it may have been integrated better into the game in some other manner. I have read everything I can find and still haven't found anything that would allow you to enter talks with other native tribes. The tribes follow the allegiances formed during the real Civil War and generate in 1862 with Stand Watie and joining the Southern cause as the only Indian Brigadier. The confusing nature of how the game works is the only reason it is a 4/5 otherwise the historical detail alone merits a 6/5.Secondary Addition:Having owned the game for some time now I want to revise my prior rating from 4 to 5 stars. I’ve played other games that call themselves similar even ones developed for other time periods and wars by AGEOD and they just aren’t the same (minus the original Civil War: 1861-1865). As you’ve provably read this game is difficult especially if you did not play the original. But if you read the manual it will give you many clues that’s will help. This game requires a lot of strategy and in an effort to make it more historically accurate you have mass dies organization in that Divisions and Corps cannot be created until essentially 1862, but the game warns you of this as you start and will list the exact months when you will gain access to these options. Until then you have to fight and manage your movements by essentially being at a command disadvantage. Once Divisions are available then you have 18 command points per general and then you can have an Army for every 3 Star (limits apply) a division will take up 4 command points so 2 stars can work independently or depending on your style be part of the armies. Corps can be lead by 2 or 3 Star generals and depending on leadership generally can hold from 2-5 divisions armies usually hold 3-5 on rare occasions 6.The single issue (besides the cards I just don’t agree with as listed before) is that the game can only be run through compatibility mode if you are on Windows 10 once set it can work but you may have to run comparability mode every time you try to play which can be frustrating at times. My recommendation is to use the Vista and XP Version 2 for best results but it will run on windows 7 and 8 (my laptop just likes the older ones more often than not).

This would be a great game if they ever get it right. Get partially through a game and it will crash every time before 1863. The save is also screwed up. I downloaded the available upgrades to the 2016 version but still crashes and will not save. Do not bother to order this game unless they release a version beyond 2016 which says they corrected all the bugs.

Didn't get to play it but everything I saw of it looked like a fun game

The game is a bit more complex than I expected. The instructions are a bit confusing at times. I found myself reading and re-reading at times. My thoughts and my opinion.

The game is overly complex and not natural to learn. I am a old Avalon Hill game buff and this game is harder to play than a complicated board game. I still do not understand their system of organizing groups of units under commanders - it is completely non-intuitive and a real pain. The game doesn't allow you much on the way of customization - another thing I hate in a game. I want to turn on/off features as desired and build my own campaigns and just play. This game is structured JUST SO and you have to live with it. You have to manage money and politics, which just takes time away from organizing a battle. Battles happen "under the covers" so you have no real way to impact the outcome other than picking units that march into the black box of battle. BLEH.Game locks up a lot. I am running it on a fast gaming PC running Windows 10. It get a game lockup about once per hour. If you forgot to save, you lose all your progress.What I really want is something like the old Avalon Hill game Gettysburg on a computer where I can set up my own scenarios.

Would not load correctly...came with only one disc...case cracked exact size of missing disc...package sealed fine and product shrink wrapped over crack...bought this 1/2016 and am just getting time to look at my games...I guess this one will not be one...

I do own and played AOGED American Civil War- Blue and the Gray, Civil War II is a much improved version of its predecessor. For a history buff of the period a must.

Having a blast

This is far and away the best Civil War game out there. Incredibly "in depth". The only thing missing, is actual combat. When battles occur, it should switch to a more "Sid Meier's" type of action.

Very difficult to get the concepts.

is not a fun game terrible too complicated