Info about Ultimate General: Gettysburg:

Official game description:
**Ultimate General: Gettysburg** is a Tactical Battle Simulator that allows you to lead thousands of soldiers in the famous Battle of Gettysburg as commander of either the Union or Confederate army. The game features the most accurately created map, complex morale, innovative control mechanics and smart AI. You have the freedom to use different strategies while the battle progresses. Your decisions and military performance play a crucial role in the result. Lead your army and win the Battle of Gettysburg!
It has been voted as Best Strategy Game of 2014 by PCGamesN.
Main Features
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**Smart AI Commanders**
Ultimate General: Gettysburg does not use “AI gameplay cheats” because it does not need them. The game’s difficulty is accomplished only by nine distinctive AI personalities, each with their own advantages and special skills. AI Commanders are able to evaluate and gain tactical superiority in real time, reacting according to their different commanding skills, aggressively or defensively, heroically or cunningly and resemble different, competent human players.
Each one of the AI generals is a formidable, non-scripted opponent who can actively try to flank you, secure strategic locations with artillery, keep reserves and reinforce areas that it attacks or defends. The AI will try to win the battle with tactics that fit to its personality. For example a defensive opponent may not attack ferociously in the first engagement and progressively advance its forces in the next battles.
_What players say__: “Fantastic AI - don't know what kind of brain you put in this game but it works”_
**Multi-Day Dynamic Battle**
On the morning of July 1st 1863, the two armies meet near Gettysburg. Reinforcements arrive from historically accurate directions as the battle progresses, however, random events, delays and tactical differences are always a possibility that can change the results of each engagement compared to history.
Can you re-enact Pickett’s Charge? What if Lee attacked the center of the Union Army early in the morning of July 2nd of 1863 instead of attempting to flank the extreme left in the afternoon? What would happen if Meade counter-attacked on July 4th 1863? These questions and more can be answered within the game engine of Ultimate General: Gettysburg.
The battle is dynamically fought in time phases and can last up to 4 days. Each day can be separated by up to 3 time phases and the armies’ condition and positioning on the map are saved.
According to battle events, you have the possibility to take decisions that can change the tide of the battle based on your prior tactical prowess. For example, when leading the Confederates, on the morning of July 2nd, you can choose to attack at Cemetery Hill and not make a delayed flanking maneuver at Peach Orchard… if you have managed to take Seminary Ridge the previous day! You can even choose to defend and wait for your AI opponent to take the initiative between days. These choices greatly increase the number of possible battle outcomes and challenges.
_What players say__:“9 different AI profiles, multiple outcomes, multiple strategies, casualties carry over. This game is a different experience every time. Well worth it, can't wait for the next one.”_
**Easy Controls & Unit Self-Awareness**
Drag simple movement arrows to command large forces easily. Units do not need your micromanagement because they are able to act on their own initiative and re-align, switch targets, withdraw and form battle lines without player input. Consequently, you are able to give generic commands to your units and can rely on them to fight efficiently without the need for “babysitting”.
_What players say__: “Innovative movement system - this is by far an awesome system they developed. It’s not only insanely easy to learn, but also incredibly innovative”_
**Detailed Map of Gettysburg**
Utilizing satellite images and historical maps, every major location, house, ridge and hill are depicted as accurately as possible within the game’s unique art style. If you are an American Civil War enthusiast, you will be especially happy to notice the amount of precision and information that the map provides. Not only will you be able to better understand the historical layout of the map, you will also be able to make use of each location and landmark in battle, thanks to the simulation of cover, concealment, terrain and high ground in the game.
_What players say__: “Incredible Gorgeous Map - I had to capitalize that because this map is by far one of the best maps of Gettysburg I have ever seen either in a game or even in books”_
**Advanced Line of Sight**
Elevation and obstructions affect unit visibility realistically. Units may make use of concealment and cover to survive artillery barrages, stage ambushes and more, but beware – the AI will attempt to do the same to you. The units enter or exit the Fog of War gradually with a fade in/out effect that helps you perceive their hiding and course seamlessly.
_What players say__: “The way Game Labs implemented Line of Sight in this game should be held as an example to other developers to do the same”_
**Numerous Tactical Factors**
In Ultimate General: Gettysburg, you will realize that army units are not “machines” that blindly follow orders, but they need to conserve strength and courage for decisive battle actions. Every basic tactical element that is expected for a strategy game is incorporated into gameplay. Most importantly, morale is affected by many factors including flank or rear attacks, casualties, volley shocks, artillery fire and fatigue.
_What players say__: “... positioning of units matters. You really bring the struggles of 19th century warfare to life here”_
**Historically Accurate Forces and Leaders**
Ultimate General: Gettysburg includes the full order of battle for the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Unit sizes range from the small artillery batteries to vast infantry brigades with cavalry and skirmishers in between.
All brigades have troop numbers and differing competencies based on historical facts. Additionally, all artillery battery numbers and types are correctly simulated. Lastly, major generals and officers actively participate in the battlefield to organize and support the armies and appear in after action battle reports to help you monitor battle progress.
_What players say__: “Immersive American Civil War feel: sounds, portraits and general historical authentic really make this one of the most immersive historical games I have played, and I am a total history buff”_
Furthermore, every inch of the map has a strategic role. Sloping, terrain type and obstructions affect unit movement realistically. Elevations, ridges and hills provide excellent firing positions and give increased sight, morale and accuracy to troops stationed there.
By placing your units close to each other, they become more resilient to charges and flank attacks but get more vulnerable to projectile fire. Thus, forcing your enemy to keep his lines dense while you shell him with artillery can be a valid tactic. As the condition of your units changes dynamically during the battle, the effectiveness of your whole army is affected. For example, units fire more coordinated volleys when they have high morale and have more discipline and tight formations.
These and many more deep gameplay mechanics are packed into a simple and intuitive GUI that aims to ease the game experience for the player without overwhelming with complex statistics.
**Ultimate General: Gettysburg** is developed by Game Labs and designed by Nick Thomadis, known for his successful and popular “DarthMod” series.
How to Play
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Please read our guide

Release date: Oct 16, 2014

Categories: Real-time Strategy, Tactical Combat, Historical Strategy, Military Simulation, Unit Management, AI Competition, Single-player Story, Competitive Multiplayer


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent Accessible Strategy Gameplay (weight 1): Players praise the game as an outstanding real-time strategy title that is easy to learn yet offers significant tactical depth. Its engaging gameplay, intuitive controls, and high replay value make it a compelling experience for both new and veteran strategy players.
- Exceptional Dynamic AI Challenge (weight 0.46): The game features a highly intelligent and adaptable AI that provides a formidable, realistic, and varied challenge across multiple difficulty settings and personalities. It effectively uses terrain, reacts to player moves, and does not resort to cheating, making every battle unique and engaging.
- Authentic Gettysburg War Simulation (weight 0.28): Players commend the game's exceptional historical accuracy in depicting the American Civil War, especially the Battle of Gettysburg. It meticulously recreates the battle's geography, unit details, and era-appropriate tactics, providing an immersive and educational experience.
- Deep Campaign & Realistic Morale (weight 0.26): The game offers significant strategic depth through dynamic, branching scenarios and persistent unit stats and casualties that carry over between engagements. A complex and sensitive morale system adds realism, forcing players to manage battalion conditions and make strategic choices impacting the overall campaign.
- Detailed Strategic Terrain & Maps (weight 0.2): The game features highly accurate and detailed maps based on real battle locations, with realistic topography and elevation changes. Terrain, including hills, ridges, and forests, plays a crucial strategic role, affecting vision, movement, and cover, making proper terrain use key to success.
- Intuitive Unit Path-Drawing Controls (weight 0.13): The game's control system is highly praised for its simplicity and intuitiveness, allowing players to easily manage troops. The innovative path-drawing movement system is particularly highlighted for enabling elegant tactical maneuvers like flanking and precise positioning with minimal effort.
- Atmospheric & Realistic Sound (weight 0.08): The sound design, including realistic weapon effects for cannons, muskets, and rifles, alongside an immersive battle din and effective background music, significantly contributes to the game's overall atmosphere and player immersion.
- Engaging & Rewarding Multiplayer (weight 0.08): The multiplayer mode is described as highly engaging, rewarding, and immersive, often preferred over similar experiences in other strategy games like Total War. Playing with friends or against others adds significant replay value and excitement.
- Responsive Developer Support (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the dedicated and continuous support from the developers, who consistently release balance patches and updates. This proactive approach ensures most glitches are quickly addressed and improves the game's stability and overall quality.

Common complaints:
- Shallow Tactical Depth and Historical Inaccuracy (weight 0.36): Players criticize the game for lacking genuine tactical depth, feeling more like a predictable puzzle than a true strategy game. The limited scope to only Gettysburg and the absence of critical historical features like entrenchments, detailed unit formations, or regimental-level control detract from its appeal as a Civil War simulation, along with perceived historical inaccuracies in unit performance and balancing.
- Poor UI, Graphics, and Unit Control (weight 0.32): The game is frequently criticized for its antiquated visual design, basic graphics, and a monotonous or confusing user interface. Players also struggle with unit control, finding it difficult to maneuver troops precisely, select multiple units without issues, or even understand basic game mechanics due to a barebones tutorial and lack of clear feedback.
- Ineffective and Uncontrollable Artillery (weight 0.31): Players report that artillery units are frequently ineffective, often failing to hit assigned targets, causing minimal damage, or ignoring commands entirely. There are also concerns about unrealistic damage models, where player artillery is weak, while AI artillery seems overpowered or historically inaccurate in its capabilities, lacking crucial historical features like limbering.
- Unfair AI and Unrealistic Outcomes (weight 0.28): Many players feel the AI has significant, often unfair, advantages, including boosted morale, superior unit strength, and unrealistic resilience. The AI frequently defies logical tactical principles (e.g., charging uphill into superior forces and winning) and can instantly punish player flanking attempts, leading to frustrating and non-historical outcomes.
- Absent Multiplayer Support (weight 0.08): A significant concern is the complete lack of functional multiplayer, which has been deprecated for years with no official communication or explanation from developers. This absence removes a 'huge aspect' of enjoyment for many players, leading to an empty community and limiting the game to a single-player experience.
- Ineffective and Unrealistic Cavalry (weight 0.07): Players report that cavalry units are largely ineffective in combat, often spending too much time reorganizing rather than engaging. Their performance is considered historically inaccurate, lacking the speed of raids and engaging in unrealistic behaviors like shooting cannons instead of melee.
- Inflexible Game Speed (weight 0.07): The game lacks flexible speed controls, offering only pause or normal speed, which makes managing large battles overwhelming. Players desire a fast-forward option and find that rigid time limits can lead to frustrating losses despite clear indicators of victory.
- Unplayable and Feature-Deprived (weight 0.06): Many players find the game in its current state to be practically unplayable and an exercise in frustration due to numerous issues. They feel it's overpriced given that half of its features seem to have been permanently removed, drastically changing the experience from enjoyable to a 'frustrating beatdown'.

Gameplay feedback:
- Focused Gettysburg Campaign (weight 0.41): This real-time strategy game is solely dedicated to the Battle of Gettysburg, allowing players to command either Union or Confederate forces. The non-linear campaign spans 3-4 days, divided into multiple scenarios where player decisions and battle outcomes influence subsequent deployments and objectives.
- In-depth Unit Management (weight 0.38): Players command diverse units like infantry, artillery, cavalry, and skirmishers, issuing orders such as move, charge, and retreat. Critical mechanics like morale, organization, and unit condition persist across battle phases, requiring careful management as lost units and dwindling stats impact future engagements and the arrival of reinforcements.
- Tactical Artillery Control (weight 0.13): Artillery units are versatile, offering different ammunition types like solid shot, shell, and canister, each with unique tactical uses. Effective deployment is critical, as units require a clear line of sight, visually indicated by an FOV cone, and cannot fire through friendly forces.
- Distinct Faction Playstyles (weight 0.09): Confederate forces are characterized by higher morale and a preference for aggressive charges and melee combat, despite generally having inferior weaponry. In contrast, Union forces excel in defensive positions and ranged engagements, leveraging superior equipment to hold strategic objectives.
- Compared to Total War (weight 0.06): Reviewers frequently draw parallels between this game and the Total War series, often describing it as a more simplified, large-scale battlefield simulation reminiscent of titles like Cossacks 2 or Napoleon Total War.
- Niche Multiplayer Mode (weight 0.05): The game offers a multiplayer option, though it's noted for being "hardcore" and potentially challenging for newcomers. It features a limited number of scenarios compared to single-player and incorporates a ranking system for competitive play.

Performance notes:
- Low System Requirements (weight 0.11): The game has very light minimum system requirements, allowing it to run smoothly on older hardware and even on Linux setups. While the graphics are not cutting-edge, players note this does not detract from the gameplay experience. It supports older operating systems and DirectX versions.
- Good Game Stability (weight 0.04): Players report that the game generally runs smoothly with no crashes or significant slowdowns, especially for its alpha state. While some freezing issues were noted, developers are actively addressing them, with recent updates showing positive results in improving stability.
- Functional Save & Achievements (weight 0.03): The game provides a flexible save system, automatically saving progress upon exiting and allowing for manual saves at any time. Achievements are also reported to reliably trigger upon game exit, ensuring player progress and accomplishments are recorded.
- Persistent Music Bug (weight 0.02): A specific bug has been identified where game music restarts playing upon a fresh game launch, even if the music was previously turned off in the settings. This indicates an issue with the persistence of audio settings across game sessions.

Recommendations:
- Engaging for Strategy/History Fans (weight 0.28): The game is highly recommended for Real-Time Strategy players, especially those interested in the American Civil War and gunpowder era tactics. It offers tactical depth, with some reviewers comparing it favorably to Total War, and is considered a must-have for armchair generals, even if visuals might require some forgiveness.
- Highly Recommended, Good Value (weight 0.26): Many players give the game high ratings (ranging from 8/10 to 10/10) and recommend it overall, often suggesting it's a great purchase. Reviewers note its quality even in early access and its fun, affordable nature, particularly when purchased on sale.
- Steep Learning Curve (weight 0.17): Players should be aware that the game has a notable learning curve, with some finding the tutorial basic and the online guide incomplete. This suggests that new players might struggle initially, especially with moderate difficulty levels, and need to invest time to master the mechanics.
- Compared to Other Titles (weight 0.04): Players frequently compare this game to other titles in the genre or series, with some suggesting alternatives like 'Ultimate General: Civil War' or 'CWG 2.' However, others strongly recommend it over similar options, highlighting its distinct position within the genre.
- Limited Campaign Replayability (weight 0.02): Some feedback indicates that the game's replayability is limited once both faction campaigns are completed, suggesting a lack of engaging content beyond the initial playthroughs for extended enjoyment.
- Accessible for All Reflexes (weight 0.02): The game is noted as suitable for players who may have slower reflexes or motor skills. This suggests it offers a strategic experience that doesn't rely on quick reactions or complex controls, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Other player notes:
- High Quality, Great Potential (weight 0.25): Players praise the game's overall quality and potential, despite its early access status. Many express strong interest in future games from the developer, highlighting the addictive nature and solid mechanics.
- Esteemed Developer Team (weight 0.19): Players recognize the developers as the 'DarthMod' team from Total War, known for their detailed and balanced mods. This pedigree contributes to player trust and high expectations for future titles.
- Complex Historical Strategy (weight 0.16): The game offers a complex and distinct strategic experience, requiring historical understanding. Its unique system provides a steep learning curve, but players appreciate the historical representation.
- Desire for Expanded Content (weight 0.13): There is significant demand for more battles, a full campaign mode, and a sandbox feature. Players are also keen on seeing this battle system applied to other historical conflicts.
- Developing Multiplayer Community (weight 0.1): Multiplayer is a planned future feature, currently with a limited player base but expected growth. Players are interested in experiencing it and are actively seeking others to play with.
- Early Access State (weight 0.08): The game is in Early Access, meaning players expect ongoing development and polish. There's an understanding that bugs may exist, and feedback is crucial for its refinement.
- Localization & Platform Needs (weight 0.07): There are requests for more language support, specifically Chinese, and Mac/Linux compatibility. Additionally, some players express interest in a mobile version for platforms like Android.
- Minor Bugs & Content Gaps (weight 0.05): Players note minor bugs that should be reported, a limited number of achievements, and a need for command system improvements. There is also a mention of a workaround needed to launch the game.
- Graphics Not Key Factor (weight 0.03): Players generally agree that graphics are not the primary focus or a crucial element for this type of strategy game. This indicates a preference for gameplay over visual fidelity.
- Improve Onboarding & Tutorial (weight 0.03): Given the game's novel and complex system, a good tutorial is needed to help new players adapt. This would resolve initial difficulties and improve the overall learning curve.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.33): Players felt satisfaction due to the game's exceptional AI, historical accuracy, and deep strategic/tactical gameplay, which provided a challenging yet rewarding experience. The intuitive controls, detailed historical representation, high replay value, and engaging multiplayer further contributed to a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment.
- Frustration (weight 0.15): Frustration stemmed from various gameplay issues including unresponsive units, erratic AI behavior, and perceived unfair advantages given to the AI, leading to a lack of player control and undermined tactical efforts. Problems with unit mechanics, unclear UI, insufficient tutorials, and critical bugs like artillery control further contributed to a sense of helplessness and difficulty.
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): Players expressed disappointment over the game's unfulfilled potential, particularly regarding historical inaccuracies, unbalanced factions, and a perceived lack of genuine strategic depth. Issues such as non-functional multiplayer, obtuse mechanics, limited content, and a feeling that the game deteriorated after updates also contributed to a negative experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Excitement was driven by the game's overall high quality, innovative design, and engaging gameplay, which included brilliant AI and realistic battle scenarios. Players were thrilled by the challenging tactical decision-making, the unique RTS experience, and the anticipation of future multiplayer features and developments.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciated the game's meticulous attention to historical detail, its deep mechanical design, and the effective portrayal of historical warfare. The developers' commitment to historical accuracy, regular updates, and the game's well-designed scenarios with high replayability were also highly valued.
- Desire (weight 0.03): Players expressed a desire for expanded content, including a fully-fledged campaign mode and more strategic elements, as well as broader historical settings. There was also a specific wish for better balance for Union artillery and the addition of Chinese language support.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy was experienced from the game's overall fun and excellent design, making it an awesome experience that brought historical miniatures to life for players. This sentiment was also tied to a deep appreciation for the game's design and execution.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.02): Players found enjoyment in the game's challenging yet fun gameplay, its presentation, historical accuracy, and the tactical versatility offered by varied AI behaviors. The ability to experiment with unusual tactics further contributed to a positive gaming experience.
- Challenge (weight 0.02): The sense of challenge originated from the game's high difficulty, intelligent, and human-like AI, which demanded players to adapt to its unique and demanding strategic depth. This provided a highly engaging and stimulating experience.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arose from a lack of clarity regarding game mechanics, unit effectiveness, and battle results, exacerbated by historical inaccuracies and an absence of clear information. This included difficulties with understanding the game's nuances without proper language support or clear multiplayer status.
- Concern (weight 0.02): Concern was expressed over the game's historical integrity, its perceived high price, and the potential for it to be overlooked or for players to become bored due to limited scope. There was also worry for the game's future if existing issues were not addressed.
- Anticipation (weight 0.02): Anticipation stemmed from the hope for future games, sequels, and expansions from the developers, as well as the expectation of additional features. This included specific desires for multiplayer and modding support.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia was evoked by the game's strong resemblance to and perceived superiority as a modern take on beloved classic titles like Sid Meier's Gettysburg. It successfully scratched an itch left by these revered strategy games.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise was primarily caused by the game's unexpectedly high mechanical quality and the AI's effective and often surprising counter-attacks and strategies. This led to a positive and unexpected gaming experience.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief was felt when the game provided a refreshing experience compared to other titles, significantly improved the reviewer's RTS enjoyment, and when developers successfully addressed stability issues. This brought a welcome change to players' gaming habits.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope was centered on the desire for the developers to continue creating more games, expansions, or a larger-scale title based on the successful mechanics of the current game. This indicates a strong belief in the developer's capabilities.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion was achieved through the game's realistic portrayal of war and its high fidelity in battlefield restoration, contributing to a deeply engaging experience. This allowed players to feel truly present in the historical conflicts.
- Interest (weight 0): Interest was primarily piqued by the game's advanced and engaging AI, though this feedback is based on a limited number of mentions.
- Boredom (weight 0): Boredom arose when players continued engaging with the game solely for the purpose of unlocking achievements, rather than for inherent enjoyment. This feedback is based on limited mentions.
- Anger (weight 0): Anger was specifically triggered by a game-breaking bug that severely impacted artillery control, leading to significant frustration during gameplay. This feedback is based on a limited number of mentions.}