Whoa! Let me say that again, whoa! Oliver Keppelmuller's long awaited American Civil War project (the term 'game' just doesn't do it justice) is now due for a 21st August 2020 Early Access release on Steam. However, some lucky folks - that would be me - have been playing the Beta for at least a couple of weeks now, and while the software is still buggier than an ant colony, we could truly be looking at the definitive computer game on the American Civil War.
There are 2 ½ reasons for this. The first is the way the game redefines the concept of 'real time strategy', or RTS. Say the term 'RTS' and most people think of the giant tactical ancient battles from the Total War series or the click-fests of Command & Conquer or Ultimate General Civil War. Draw a box around 10 formations from different commands, point them in the right direction and let them go. Not so in Grand Tactician: The Civil War (GTCW).
Second is the reality that GTCW is not one game but two, and I am serious about this. It has both a strategic game (national and campaign level) and a tactical game (battle level) in the same package. Yes, some other games like Total War have both tactical and strategic play, but one is usually subordinate to the other. For example, Field of Glory II does have a strategic campaign system, but it's obvious it exists only to set up tactical battles. In GTCW, however, both portions are so comprehensive and complex as to count as separate games, and I seriously think a separate, formal review on each is in order when the product is finally dropped for real (What!?-ED).
RELATED LINKS:
The Best American Civil War Games
Upcoming American Civil War wargame Grand Tactician releases next month
Review: Ultimate General: Civil War