Despite some of gaming's greatest titles revolving around historical wars, the American Civil War was often skipped over, or lacked key elements to provide a gripping experience. Though it only lasted a mere four years, the affair was gruesome, tragic, and if depicted with authenticity, video game developers could create a game with immersive insight into its horrors.

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That said, there are a few games that managed to delve into the conflict in detail. Whether they're grand strategy games, first-person shooters, or even card games, these American Civil War games are worth a curious player's time and attention.

Updated June 14th, 2024, by David Heath: Maybe it's because it took place in (relatively) modern times, or because Hollywood movies always have an audience, but there are people worldwide who are familiar with the American Civil War. They might not know the nitty-gritty details about battle formations, or which campaign involved which sides, etc., but they'll know what sparked it, what its central issue was (slavery), and may even know of generals like 'Stonewall' Jackson, a narcoleptic who'd point a finger into the air to 'balance his circulation.'

That can be enough to draw them into the deeper details of the war; how its battles were fought, why one side won over the other, and what it might've taken to end the war sooner for the Unionists or (god forbid) the Confederates. There are plenty of books, documentaries, etc., to give them the finer details, but these video games can make them live it and put their own tactics into action. This list has been updated with more top video games about the American Civil War.

9 The History Channel Civil War: A Nation Divided

Metascore: 53

• Release Date: November 7, 2006.
• Developer: Cauldron.
• Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2.

Before they became the Ancient Aliens channel, The History Channel did have some solid historical documentaries, largely about World War 2. Yet in 2006, they licensed a first-person shooter based on the American Civil War in The History Channel: Civil War- A Nation Divided. Players can pick the Union or Confederacy, then re-enact famous Civil War battles from their side with era-accurate firearms. It doesn't take long to reload a revolver, but it's worth keeping the rifles primed or players will have to break out a Bowie knife or saber and get up-close.

The game provides an accurate representation of the chaos of battle, as it gets loud and wild very quickly. However, it was also pretty easy due to the lacking enemy AI and the short campaigns- 6 battles each for both sides. Nonetheless, it did well enough to get a sequel, History Civil War: Secret Missions, and it showed game developers didn't need to stick to the 20th and 21st centuries to make intriguing first-person shooters.

8 Ironclad Tactics

Metascore: 69

• Release Date: September 18, 2013.
• Developer: Zachtronics.
• Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, Android, PS4.

Ironclad Tactics skips historical realism by taking place in an alternate history where both sides have steampunk mechs to fight with. These mechs, created by brothers Maxwell and Joseph, must help the Union defend themselves against the Confederates when they attack Fort Sumter with their own mechs, or 'Ironclads'. However, it's not quite the Civil War-style Virtual-On experience it sounds like, as this is actually a card-based strategy game.

Players proceed around a grid-like battlefield turn by turn using a deck of cards, building up their hand with each successful mission. They can gain stronger cards by accomplishing in-game goals, then play them if they have enough Action Points. They can also customize their Ironclads with different armor and weapons to make them stronger in combat. Compared to the range of grand strategy games based on the Civil War, Ironclad Tactics is an inventive take on the conflict.

7 North & South

GOG Score: 3/5 Stars

• Release Date: September 1989.
• Developer: Infogrames, Kemco (NES).
• Platforms: Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, MSX, NES, PC (DOS), ZX Spectrum.

Old-school players might be familiar with North & South, as it was practically everywhere once upon a time thanks to its numerous ports. They might not know that it's based on the Belgian comic Les Tuniques Bleues ('The Bluecoats'), a long-running strip about two Union troopers. This doesn't really show in the final game, as it sticks to being a general, simplified strategy game based on the Civil War, though if players pick the Confederacy and win, it will give them a tongue-in-cheek ending about 'not reading their history books.'

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The game offers a different range of strategic battles. There's the overhead view, where players have to use their artillery, infantry and cavalry wisely around terrain to gain more ground, and there are side-scrolling action stages, where players have to stop a train or raise a flag to capture a fort. For extra chaos, players can enable an option that lets non-playable third parties, like the Native Americans and Mexicans, strike out at players stationed in the western States. It's not a serious adaptation of the American Civil War, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun.

6 American Civil War: From Sumter To Appomattox

MyAbandonware Score: 3.5/5 Stars

• Release Date: May 31, 1996.
• Developer: Adanac Command Systems.
• Platform: PC.

North & South is fun, but if old school players want something more realistic, they'll find it in American Civil War: From Sumter to Appomattox. It's the third in Adanac's From Sumter to Appomattox series, and is the best of the bunch. Some even consider it the best Civil War sim game ever made thanks to its strong military, economic, and diplomatic mechanics. It's also got a wide range of toggleable options and scenarios to go through, from the start of the war to its end.

It's particularly good for history buffs, as it adds little extra details that bring the battle to life, like the 7-chapter story 'Fateful Lightning', and video clips to show key moments in the game's battles. The user interface isn't exactly user-friendly, and its gameplay has aged in places, but it's a good Civil War game made with a keen interest in the conflict. Adanac also re-released this game as freeware, complete with a tutorial and PDF manual, so anyone curious can download it from MyAbandonware or the Internet Archive without paying a thing.

5 Battle Cry Of Freedom

Steam: 7/10

• Release Date: March 1, 2022.
• Developer: Flying Squirrel Entertainment.
• Platform: PC.

After nearly a decade in development, Battle Cry Of Freedom took the American Civil War scene by storm, immersing its players on the battlefield in 2022. Despite their lengthy production cycle, Flying Squirrel Entertainment went far and beyond with this multiplayer combat title, placing their fans directly in the heart and soul of the gruesome affair by adhering to the exact weaponry, attire, and strategies used during the war.

Battle Cry Of Freedom supports up to 600 players in its massive multiplayer battles, where players can do their part in the infantry, artillery, cavalry, or a specialist, who can build bridges and supply ammo as an engineer, or stitch up wounded soldiers as a surgeon. The game is heavily reliant on communication, where it's strongly advised to partake in role-playing scenarios. But as a result, it's given Battle Cry Of Freedom a dedicated fan base who relish its varied gameplay, destructible environments and customizable options.

4 Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865)

Steam: 7/10

• Release Date: August 21, 2020.
• Developer: Grand Engineer Corps.
• Platform: PC.

Fans of strategy-based games are bound to enjoy the authenticity, realism, and downright playability of Oliver Keppelmüller's Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865). Its tactical nature steps into a new realm of army, weaponry, and overall management of the nation. Brandishing a unique HUD within the game, fans can enthrall themselves with this highly accurate campaign title. It throws players right into the middle of the battleground, entrusting them to lead their military to victory.

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To do that, they can recruit and organize their armies using real generals and commanders from the Civil War. Then, once arranged, they can order strategically epic attacks to overcome their foes. It's enough to make players relive the advances made by the Union in the war, or to rewrite history by having the Confederacy gradually take more and more territory. The chance to do either and more has pulled plenty of players into giving Grand Tactician: The Civil War a go.

3 Ultimate General: Civil War

Steam: 9/10

• Release Date: November 16, 2016.
• Developer: Game-Labs.
• Platforms: PC, macOS.

Ultimate General: Civil War is an exceedingly intuitive grand strategy title. On its initial release, the game boasted a prosperous turnout, appealing to a wide range of gamers looking to enthrall themselves in this grisly battle. Employing their extended knowledge of the four-year affair, Game-Labs was able to accommodate devotees of the genre, revolving their embellished title around tactical, real-time decision-making as a means of achieving victory.

Delegating troops and armored equipment is only one of the meticulous tasks fans must undertake, as positioning, counter-attacks, and the selection of specific firearms are also critical to the player's triumph. In terms of accuracy, Ultimate General: Civil War hits the nail on its head, as the number of infantry granted in each battle is the same as those used in the war, making for a realistic gameplay experience. As such, it hit its mark in design and gameplay as an icon among strategy-based war games.

2 War Of Rights

Steam: 9/10

• Release Date: December 3, 2018 (early access).
• Developer: Campfire Games.
• Platform: PC.

Technically, War of Rights isn't fully released as of this writing. The game's been worked on by Campfire Games since 2012, and reached playable status via Early Access in 2018. It's a tactical first-person shooter where players can relive the Maryland campaign. Its character classes, weaponry, and chain of command all operate like they did in 1862. In other words, players can't spray and pray with their shots unless they have wheeled Gatling guns at their disposal.

Instead, they have to work with others to follow orders and maintain tactical positions to make the most of their arms and equipment. It offers multiple modes, with Skirmish supporting up to 400 players at a time. Even in its somewhat unfinished state, it's perhaps the best Civil War shooter around. However, it's also era-accurate in replicating its soldiers' attitudes at the time, so to speak. Given what the war was about (i.e. slavery), it's probably a no-duh moment to expect some charged dialogue, but it can be a red flag for some nonetheless.

1 Sid Meier's Gettysburg!

Metascore: 92

• Release Date: October 14, 1997.
• Developer: Firaxis Games.
• Platform: PC.

Donning a decorated set of franchises, Sid Meier's Gettysburg! was a clearly aiming to be the ultimate American Civil War strategy game, debuting to devoted fans in 1997. Despite being one of the earlier video game adaptations of the American Civil War, the game didn't stray away from creating an immensely tactical warfare experience, offering real-time decision-making and accurate portrayals of the decisive Battle of Gettysburg.

Recounting the day-to-day accounts of the grisly affair, Sid Meier's Gettysburg! was renowned for its online capability, grouping players into the North or South sides to work together for the ultimate triumph over one another. Whether fans stick to the assigned string of scenarios or the random ones, Firaxis Games' innovative breath of fresh air to the genre struck commercial success and domination over the market, creating one of the most cherished American Civil War strategy games ever made.

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