TDG: Cody’s Top Ten U. S. Civil War Games (February 2023)
The Discriminating Gamer
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Join Cody as he looks at his top ten games featuring the American Civil War, 1861-1865.
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21.02.2023
Hard choices. Every wargame Cody plays in the US is civil. Wait, did I read the title wrong? 🥷
Cody, as you're a fan of Columbia Games (Julius Caesar, Hammer of the Scots, Napoleon etc.), I was wondering: did you ever hear of Bobby Lee (3d ed.)?
Maybe they could send you a copy for review… I'd surely love that!
Try the Worthington Civil War games of Antietam 1862, Shiloh 1862 and the recently released Seven Days Battle 1862.
House Divided was a GDW game.
Vad kul att du gillar battlecry jag har det också spel med minis är definitivt roligare än papp brickor
What do you think about Gettysburg from Martin Wallace and Warfrog?
Cool. I need a Civil War game. Thanks Gamer.
Great list Cody!
Check our Brothers at War by Compass games. New for 2022. Great Tactical level war game.
Avalon Hills Games did a civil war game back in the 1958 that my brother and I used to play throughout our childhood called Gettysburg. It was a complex game but one that I will always cherish.
I didn't pick up US Civil War as I had The Civil War Victory Games (AH) It looked like an upgraded version and like you I had a hard time getting it played. I also like Battle Cry but I play with C&C Napoleonic rule leaving out Squares. I like 2 games not on your list For The People and my Favorite Across 5 Aprils. There was talk of Another A5A with 5 more scenarios but it never happened very disappointed. I played one of my favorite games loosing as the Union at Gettysburg. I stopped a Pickett's Charge and an assault on Culp's Hill. I did not notice a victory hex on Little Round Top. I was kicked off, I kicked him off, he retook it and I could not get enough troops there to retake it. Thats how I lost. It ended at the end of day 2. Six hour game but one of the best games I played.
It's nice to see battle cry on here.
Battle Cry will always be a favorite of mine – such an easy game to teach and play, and always fun. I taught it to my oldest daughter when she was 7, and though she now prefers Memoir 44 we still bust out Battle Cry pretty frequently.
So glad to see Battle Cry up on the list. I too got rid of it many years ago and picked it back up. Such a great game. Now I'm painting the miniatures.
Surprised you didn’t mention For the People, Cody
Used to play the Milton Bradley Battle Cry back in the day
Have enjoyed Herman Luttman’s Crossed Sword system quite a bit.
Battle Cry (the 150 anniversary edition) the best gateway game in the C&C system. I played the whole 30 scenarios, and it was a blast. I even painted a bunch of 1/72 miniatures to replace the original ones.
For the other games, I have only played A house divided, solo. I hope my son will play with me when he grows older.
Thanks of the list. Always interested in hearing about historical board ganes.
I purchased the gmt US civil war game almost entirely because of the board. Closest I ever came to playing it, me and my friend ended up spending the entire time pouring over the board and marvelling at the detail and how the history must have played out because of the geography.
A few years ago you gave a mixed review to The US Civil War, greatly praising it on most counts but warning of it being very complex. At that time I chimed in with a comment about how I like A House Divided. Now, that is still a very good game in my opinion, but recently I took the plunge and got The US Civil War. And, yes, it is complex. But if my local opponent and I can figure it out, I know we will have a real treasure.
Fantastic list, I own 4 of those. I want Battle Cry, hard to find at a reasonable price. You might also like these …..
In Magnificent Style
Jeff Davis
Mosby’s Raiders (reprint soon)
Rebel Raiders (GMT)
Brothers at War (Compass)
Great list Cody! And I'm just finishing up the last book of Shelby Foote's American Civil War trilogy! Good timing on the list!
My favorite is Worthington's Brigade Series. The Kickstarter for Volume 3, Seven Days Battle, just arrived. Simple, very streamlined hex and counter game but a lot of fun.
Have you had a chance to play A Most Fearful Sacrifice?
Your videos are great, Cody, keep it up! I really want to try Lincoln, and I’m in the process of learning For the People. I’m a big fan of Battle Cry though. Still probably my favorite Commands and Colors game.
I take it based on this list that you’ve never played any of the Great Campaigns of the ACW series?
I'm currently exploring ACW for the first time and have already tried a few of the "groggier" systems – MMP's RSS/LOB, GMT's The US Civil War (latest edition) that I've really enjoyed. Currently learning Look Away from against the odds and GCACW but noted down a few titles from your list, might be good for a quick evening😀
Yes! Eagle Games' "The American Civil War" is deservedly the best grand strategy Civil War game title ever published.
Ah ha! Eagle Games strikes again! The American Civil War and Napoleon in Europe are by far my favorite board games, and The American Civil War is definitely deserved of number 1 on this list.
I was very interested in this list. Given the age (and out-of-printness) of many of these games, perhaps board game designers need to turn their attentions again to the Civil War. The contrast with WW II games is particularly striking. Thanks for this top 10.
Terrific list. Very pleased to see the Shiloh game there at No. 10. Hot tip: Half Price Books in Dallas has seven or so copies, still in shrink wrap, for $14.99.
just got A House Divided in a trade. Loojing forward to playing it.
I still have Eagle Games' American Civil War and Napoleon in Europe. Both are epic. Neither have hit the table in eons. It makes me sad.
usually love your stuff, but as a civil war buff, this list is terrible.. Not having For the People on here, but having Gettysburg solitaire is blasphemy 🙂
No GBACW or GCACW even made an appearance!