PC GAME REVIEW: History Channel Civil War: The Battle of Bull Run
PC GAME REVIEW: History Channel Civil War: The Battle of Bull Run
In the past, if you've ever played a Civil War themed PC simulation game, you've experienced mediocre graphics, unappealing sound and music, and just plain bad game play. These Civil War games have been some of the most unplayable games around.
That's what I used to think, but then last week I went to my local Wal-Mart and picked up Bull Run: Take Command 1861.
I have to admit, I was very nervous spending another $20 on another History Channel sponsored game. I got burned last time when I purchased their Civil War: The Game. However, this game was written by MadMinute Games, and supported by Activision, and it’s much better than I expected. In fact it's downright "fun" to play.
The game installed on my PC with ease. My first real complaint is the fact that there’s no users manual, not even a simple keyboard layout, or quick-start guide to get you going on your first mission. The game only includes a small instruction paperlet with installation instructions, and tech support contact information. Someone needs to write a simple quick-start guide with keyboard layout for this game.
The other weak point is the onscreen instruction. My PC must be too fast for the startup of the game. Once you decide what type of mission you’d like to play, instructions are provided and displayed while the game is loading, but I hardly had time to read the half the instructions before the game started. I had to stop and restart the game three times to read all the instructions. Maybe they can add a “Start Game” button in the next version so the user can read the full instructions before continuing to the battlefield.
One point on sound and music, this game has "okay" music in the menus, but just basic sound effects in the game itself. the sound effects aren't as dynamic as they've been in other games, but they work for this game. I like the fact that there's no music during battle, I can just enjoy the game, or play my stereo in the background.
Once you get started, and you understand how the game works, the fun begins. The Battle of Bull Run is built with the gamer AND the Civil War historian in mind. Kudos to the developers for balancing the game play and historical accuracy. This is as close to real-time Civil War combat as you can get. The game play will remind you of Starcraft or Warcraft, but this game isn't a copycat of those games. It still has it's own feel and pace.
This game has scenarios built from the Real Battle of Bull Run with detailed maps and researched scenarios. While this won’t substitute for a good history lesson, this game is a great tool to understand the pressure that Civil War commanders felt on the battlefield. The game also has a custom scenario builder, but I must be honest, I am not ready to review this part of the game yet.
I’m running this game on a **** 2.4 Ghz Windows XP machine with 1 Gb of RAM, and a NVIDIA G-Force FX 5200 video card. The game runs well, but I do get occasional minor jumpiness in the heat of very large engagements, but it doesn’t affect my game play.
When I play this game I don’t feel like I’m simply throwing units against other units. You can command the units in this game, but you don't always control them. You can order a regiment of infantry to line up and attack a rebel infantry regiment, or to get some fresh ammo at the supply wagon, or to just rest in the shade of some trees.
However, while you can give orders, the overall condition and personality of individual units will dictate if they will obey your orders. Some units will be too tired to march at a double-quick pace (running). Other units may be in retreat, and there’s nothing you can do to get them turned back to face the enemy. Some units or unit leaders think they are smarter than you are and they “adjust” your orders to their liking.
As the commander, you are forced to think about a units current status. Are these men exhausted from the march to get to the battlefield? Are they shaken from marching in the face of enemy artillery fire to get within musket range. These are some real battlefield factors that you must consider if you are to be an effective leader in the game.
You also must think about pure military engagement conditions. If your men are flanked or outnumbered, you better give them some additional support, or your regiments will retreat, running several hundred yards to the rear before you'll be able to command them again.
This game also lets you lead with your own style. It's one of the best parts of the game.
You can tell a general under your command to march to a planned waypoint on the battle map and attack the enemy as he sees fit. This general has his own AI and personality, and depending on his personal traits, he will command the units under him fiercely, or timidly.
When you aren't impressed with the plans of your sub-ordinates, you can micro-manage the battle with the "Take Command" control, placing individual artillery batteries on the high ground where you think they should be, and forming infantry into battle lines and attacking where you think your enemy is weakest.
This is the best Civil War combat simulator I’ve seen. MadMinute games has done a good job and has promised to create even better Civil War combat simulators in the near future. If you enjoy gaming, and love the Civil War like I do, you will have a blast playing The Battle of Bull Run!
-- Installation: 9 of 10 - No real complaints. -- Documentation: 2 of 10 – Needs a quick start guide with a keyboard layout. -- Graphics: 6 of 10 - This isn't why I purchased this game. -- Audio & Music: 6 of 10 - Nothing out of the ordinary here. -- Controls: 6 of 10 – Easy to learn, but few instructions on use. -- Cost: 8 of 10 - A good value for a new PC game. -- Pace of play: 7 of 10 - A little slow at times, some pure gamers would get bored. -- Overall Game Play: 8 of 10 – If you like the Civil War & PC games, you’ll be quite happy!
Ha! Just a quick update, I know I just posted this, but in the last few minutes I discovered the Users Manual, it's available on the install CD. I didn't see it till I took the CD out for a few minutes and then put it back in the drive. When the CD autostarted, there was a link to a HTML document with a basic startup guide, with interface and game play instructions. It was very helpful. I wish it was in a more obvious place.
Also, after a quick skim of the manual, I see that there is in-game help if I press "H", and I never knew that and I'll have to try that out, all this time I had no idea there were instructions and help menus.
I guess this game will deserve a second review after I take a hard look at the manual.
This is not really a VERY good game, it is ok.
The good thing about this game is the strategic map where you can choose where you want to attack. The photos from the war is also a good thing you also get along with the game.
But the graphic is not good and the game is way to easy if you play against the AI. There is other civil war games that are a lot better!
__________________ Robin Sweden
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
This review is for the MadMinute game, it's called The History Channel Civil War: The Battle of Bull Run, and it's been released by Activision. The link you posted is to the web site for this game.
This is a really good game, and it is definitely NOT the History Channel game covering the entire Civil War. That game was terrible, and it's poor reputation seemed to dimish sales of this fine game. I encourage anyone who enjoys Civil War games to go get this one. It is available HERE. In addition, Mad Minute Games is about to release the second game in the series at the beginning of October.
This is a really good game, and it is definitely NOT the History Channel game covering the entire Civil War. That game was terrible, and it's poor reputation seemed to dimish sales of this fine game. I encourage anyone who enjoys Civil War games to go get this one. It is available HERE. In addition, Mad Minute Games is about to release the second game in the series at the beginning of October.
Just as an update, Take Command Second Manassas was released by Mad Minute games on April 18. Paradox, the makers of Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, and other strategy games, was the publisher. The game should be available in many game stores soon.
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PC GAME REVIEW: History Channel Civil War: The Battle of Bull Run 
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