Fit check
Is Civil War: 1863 worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Civil War history fans who want battles based on historic events
- Strategy players who prefer turn-based command over real-time combat
- Players seeking several mission-based campaigns with selectable difficulty
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking real-time combat will bounce off the turn-based battle structure.
- Players wanting one uninterrupted campaign may find the separate campaign and mission format limiting.
- Players looking for modern or fantasy warfare will find the forces limited to American Civil War units.
Our take on Civil War: 1863
Players who require real-time control will bounce off at the turn-based battle structure. Those seeking one uninterrupted storyline may also stop at the separate campaign format, which organizes play into multiple mission groups.
What is Civil War: 1863?
Civil War: 1863 is a turn-based strategy game based on battles from the American Civil War.
It includes seven campaigns with 8, 5, 6, 8, 8, 8, and 8 missions. Each mission can be played as either the Union or Confederacy. Available forces include musket and rifled-musket infantry, artillery, generals, wagons, naval gunboats, and mounted or dismounted cavalry. Players can alter formations and tactics, use flank attacks, move strategically, and examine combat results. Generals may attach to units to raise morale. Veteran units are more capable, while raw units are less reliable. Three difficulty settings are included, along with map zoom, Steam Achievements, Cloud Saves, and Trading Cards. The vendor lists three additional 8-mission campaigns as planned free updates.
How Civil War: 1863 plays
- 01Seven Campaigns
- The campaigns contain 8, 5, 6, 8, 8, 8, and 8 missions.
- 02Two Factions
- Missions can be played from either the Union or Confederate side.
- 03Civil War Units
- The forces include two infantry types, artillery, generals, wagons, naval gunboats, and two cavalry types.
- 04Formation Controls
- Players can change unit formations and tactics during battles.
- 05General Attachments
- Generals can join units and increase their morale.
- 06Unit Experience
- Veteran troops are more capable, while raw troops are unreliable.
- 07Three Difficulties
- The game offers three difficulty settings.
- 08Combat Analysis
- Battles include information for examining combat results.
- 09Strategic Movement
- Movement options include strategic travel and flank attacks.
Civil War: 1863 compared to similar games
Men of War: Assault Squad focuses on World War II, large-scale strategy, and direct hands-on combat, while Civil War: 1863 uses turn-based battles set in the American Civil War. Xenonauts also uses turn-based combat, but centers on a multinational military organization, small squads, persistent soldiers, and an alien invasion. Civil War: 1863 instead focuses on Union and Confederate forces and historic Civil War battles.
Civil War: 1863: platforms & release
Is Civil War: 1863 worth it?
It is worth it if: civil War history fans who want battles based on historic events. Skip it if: players seeking real-time combat will bounce off the turn-based battle structure.
Where can I download Civil War: 1863?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Civil War: 1863's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Civil War: 1863 on?
Windows only.
