No other conflict took as many lives in the entire history of North America as the Civil War. And somehow, only a few video games properly depict this bloodiest of confrontations.
If not for the Civil War, the abolition of American slavery might have come much later. On the other hand, 620,000 soldiers died to resolve this brutal conflict. To this day, the history of the Civil War raises many emotions and doubts about some of the decisions made during it, which you can experience even today by playing the best Civil War games.
Want to see this absolutely dreadful conflict through the eyes of a soldier or leader? Here, you will find the best titles to play right away!
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | Video | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Ultimate General Civil War | 2017-07-14 | Strategy & Indie | Game-Labs | |
 | Civil War II The Bloody Road South | 2014-02-06 | Strategy & Simulator | Ageod | |
 | War Of Rights | 2018-12-03 | Indie & Strategy | Campfire Games | |
 | Ironclad Tactics Deluxe Edition | 2013-09-18 | Indie | Zachtronics | |
 | Civil War 1863 | 2016-06-21 | Strategy | HexWar Games | |
 | Ultimate General Gettysburg | 2014-10-16 | Indie & Strategy | Game-Labs | |
 | Grand Tactician: The Civil War | 2020-08-21 | Strategy | Oliver Keppelmüller | |
 | The Bluecoats North Vs South | 2011-11-05 | Strategy | Little World Studio | |
 | Sid Meier's Gettysburg | 1997-06-13 | RTS | EA | |
| | Take Command - 2nd Manassas | 2006-04-18 | RTS | Norb Software Development Inc, Paradox Interactive |
Sid Meier’s Gettysburg
| Release date: | 1997-06-13 |
| Genre: | RTS |
| Developer: | Firaxis Games |
This phenomenal game allows you to participate in the largest battle of the Civil War, which was also the turning point for the entire conflict.
Sid Meier’s Gettysburg is a classic real-time title you can play as a Confederate or Union commander. The title offers an extensive campaign involving 25 challenging scenarios and various units. But the most crucial factor is the terrain, which can really decide who ultimately wins this brutal confrontation.
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Ultimate General: Civil War
| Release date: | 2017-07-14 |
| Genre: | Real Time Strategy (RTS) & Simulator & Strategy & Tactical & Indie |
| Developer: | Game-Labs |
This strategic recommendation allows you to play not one but over 50 Civil War battles!
Lead your forces as a general, making decisions for every aspect of their operation on the battlefield. Choose whether to control individual units or the entire army, manage officer progression, consider terrain, and utilize a variety of historical weapons. All that matters in the face of highly advanced AI on the enemy side!
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Civil War II
| Release date: | 2013-09-17 |
| Genre: | Simulator & Strategy |
| Developer: | Ageod |
This turn-based computer game does everything in its power to be as historically accurate as possible. Its three massive campaigns take place all over the United States!
Choose from 400 authentic commanders and 1,000 units to influence historical events in 3,000 regions. In this game, everything happens depending on your choices, random events, or available terrain. Plan your tactics in advance to outmaneuver enemy forces!
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The Bluecoats: North & South
| Release date: | 2011-11-05 |
| Genre: | Strategy |
| Developer: | Little World Studio |
It is a hilarious remake of the classic turn-based strategy from the 1980s in which you will take control of the North or South to win the most epic single and multiplayer campaigns.
This lighter take on the Civil War theme offers many exciting and fun real-time battles where you are responsible for every aspect of the chosen side’s operation. Conquer new territories, change the course of events, buy extra units, and enjoy mini-games – solo or with a friend!
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War of Rights
| Release date: | 2018-12-03 |
| Genre: | Simulator & Strategy & Indie |
| Developer: | Campfire Games |
It is the first first-person shooter on this list and the first to be fully multiplayer as well!
Take part in massive battles involving up to 300 players to see the most gruesome side of the Civil War. Experience realistic historical campaigns, choose your role, and enjoy authentic Civil War equipment. Will you follow orders or rebel? It’s your choice, as this battlefield faithfully reflects the reality of fighting on both sides of this conflict.
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Take Command - 2nd Manassas
| Release date: | 2006-04-18 |
| Genre: | RTS |
| Developer: | {Norb Software Development Inc, Paradox Interactive} |
If you are looking for simulators that will put you in the shoes of the one-and-only leader during the Civil War, this game is your best choice.
Lead Union or Confederate forces in the second Manassas Campaign, including 48 engaging scenarios and 8 massive battlefields. Choose from Historical, Open, and Custom battles to tailor the gameplay to your needs and immerse yourself in this tragic conflict. Prepare well because each choice determines the fate of your forces in the upcoming scenarios!
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Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865)
| Release date: | 2020-08-21 |
| Genre: | Real Time Strategy (RTS) & Simulator |
| Developer: | Oliver Keppelmüller |
This real-time strategy title lets you lead both sides of the Civil War according to realistic, historical objectives!
Play five campaign scenarios, control your troops’ morale, manage the supplies, and change the course of history. This game perfectly combines management-based gameplay with complex battles on historical battlefields. Still, its best feature is the presence of historical commanders and an authentic command structure!
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Ironclad Tactics
| Release date: | 2013-09-18 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Zachtronics |
This card-based strategy game gives you the chance to lose yourself in an alternative version of the Civil War, with steam-powered robots as one of the key elements of its gameplay.
Play the game to unlock new cards and develop your combat potential! The more you learn about the campaign story details, the greater your chances of winning, so prepare well for this unique experience. And the best part? You can have fun in co-op campaigns with others or compete with them in intense online challenges.
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Civil War: 1863
| Release date: | 2016-06-21 |
| Genre: | Strategy |
| Developer: | HexWar Games |
Choose a side in the Civil War to engage in intense, turn-based battles against demanding AI!
Civil War: 1863 is a dream come true for players craving a rich collection of unique missions set in their favorite historical period. The game lets you attach generals to specific units to raise their morale, choose a difficulty level, and lead realistic squads equipped with accurate weapons into battle. Sounds fun!
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Ultimate General: Gettysburg
| Release date: | 2014-10-16 |
| Genre: | Real Time Strategy (RTS) & Simulator & Strategy & Indie |
| Developer: | Game-Labs |
Want a mix of strategy and simulation set in the Civil War? Say no more!
Ultimate General: Gettysburg lets you lead thousands of soldiers into unforgiving, large-scale battles on historically accurate maps. In this game, your AI opponents’ behavior perfectly reflects their complex personalities, so you never know what to expect. Take care of your troops’ morale, play on a perfectly recreated map, and discover a whole new level of tactical complexity!
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Whether you choose the fun approach of The Bluecoats, the multiplayer competition of War of Rights, or the balanced tactics of Sid Meier’s Gettysburg, you are sure to have the time of your life in realistic Civil War conditions. We sincerely recommend playing these epic titles, as not many developers decide to create video games within this theme. That’s a shame, as they are definitely worth everyone’s time!