Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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Take command of the Union or the Confederacy. Prepare your nation for war, recruit and organize great armies and fleets under legendary commanders like Grant, Lee, Jackson or Farragut, plan cunning maneuvers on an epic campaign map and defeat your enemies in real-time battles!
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) is a strategy, historical and rts game
developed and published by Grand Engineer Corps.
Released on September 24th 2021 is available in English only on Windows.
It has received 2,175 reviews of which 1,656 were positive and 519 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. 😊
The game is currently priced at 44.99€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) through various videos and screenshots.
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 64bit
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics: 2 GB
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 10 GB available space
- Sound Card: supported
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
This is an interesting one to review, and a game I put off buying for a long time because the trailers were not selling it for me. Especially in a world dominated by Ultimate General: Civil War (UGCW). I think this game is actually better than UGCW in many if not most ways. The tactical side, which most compares to UGCW, is more complex but much more realistic. I like it. At the same time, this game is very imperfect. But I have yet to see a better American Civil War game. Many reviews discuss bugs. I have yet to find one. What the game does have is a lot of under-optimization. It's slow and clanky at times. But I think most of the 'bugs' people complain about are mostly just people not understanding the complexity of the game. In that sense, it reminds me a lot of Ultimate General: American Revolution, for what it's trying to do. That's also a great game, btw. And if you're into the historical complexity of logistics and feuds, etc. this game is what you want. If you want something more arcade-style, this won't be it. Finally, the price is a bit ridiculous, but at the same time, you pay it once. I'd go ahead and purchase the DLC from the beginning, and even start with the DLC (after the tutorials). The DLC itself works a lot like a tutorial - at least it did for me. It's pretty great, and sets you up to want to actually play the main campaign. There are A LOT of mechanics to learn, and while I would highly recommend the tutorials, they are so bad and lengthy that I never went past the beginning (which still took about an hour). So don't be turned off by the bad/overly in-depth tutorials that can take you hours. Just jump in with the DLC and you'll pick it up. I am at about 100 hours and have yet to find an end-game. I have a number of complaints - bad enemy AI with their artillery (always leaving them unprotected to be taken out), and an over-abundance of attacks from the enemy (despite the window saying it's winter and the armies will go more remote, the enemy is super aggressive and will destroy itself going Stalingrad on you through the winter). But overall, nothing compares to this game. The price is not super high, but I'm sure that's what killed the game. Most people won't pay that much. The developers have unfortunately moved on, but this is a much more finished and polished game than the reviews will lead you to believe.
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Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865), developed by Oliver Keppelmüller and his small indie team, is an ambitious, richly detailed grand strategy game that attempts to simulate the full scope of the American Civil War. Blending large-scale strategic planning with real-time tactical battles, the game offers an intricate experience that few historical strategy titles dare to tackle at this level of complexity. Released on Steam after a long early access period, Grand Tactician is not a polished mainstream product, but rather a labor of love aimed squarely at history enthusiasts and strategy purists. Its steep learning curve, overwhelming scope, and occasional rough edges are all part of the experience, but so too are moments of incredible immersion and rewarding depth. The game is divided into two interlinked layers: a grand strategy campaign map and a real-time tactical battle system. On the strategic level, players choose to lead either the Union or the Confederacy through one of several campaign scenarios, beginning at different stages of the war. From there, they must manage the political, economic, and military machinery of a divided nation. This involves everything from appointing generals and organizing armies to managing infrastructure, passing legislation, and navigating foreign diplomacy. The level of historical fidelity is impressive—key figures from the era are represented, and the strategic decisions available to the player reflect the political realities of the time. Whether managing the industrial juggernaut of the North or the resource-starved Southern Confederacy, players must constantly adapt to shifting conditions and long-term consequences. Where Grand Tactician truly distinguishes itself is in how the strategic and tactical layers interact. Army movement on the campaign map is realistic, with units needing time to muster, move, and engage. When armies clash, the game transitions into a full-fledged real-time tactical battle that can last several in-game days. These battles are where the game’s strengths and weaknesses both come into sharp relief. Players are given command of thousands of troops across expansive, historically accurate maps. Terrain, fatigue, morale, and command structure all play crucial roles in determining the outcome of engagements. The command delay mechanic—where orders take time to reach subordinate units—adds a level of realism that makes battlefield control feel authentic and challenging. Battles unfold slowly and require foresight, patience, and discipline, rewarding players who embrace the tempo of 19th-century warfare rather than trying to micro-manage every regiment like in a traditional RTS. Visually, the game is functional rather than flashy. The campaign map is beautifully illustrated, capturing the look of 19th-century cartography with muted earth tones, hand-drawn elements, and period-accurate styling. Tactical battles use a more utilitarian 3D engine that, while not cutting-edge, serves its purpose. Units are represented with historically correct uniforms, flags, and formations, and the environments—ranging from dense forests to rolling farmlands and river crossings—are rendered with enough detail to support strategic positioning and maneuvering. The UI, while sometimes clunky and unintuitive, provides a wealth of information, from unit stats and supply lines to detailed reports on national morale and political trends. However, new players may find themselves overwhelmed without external guides or significant trial and error. The historical atmosphere is further reinforced by a stirring original soundtrack composed by Wasyl Dvorak, which features period-appropriate arrangements of traditional American folk songs and military marches. These tracks, along with newspaper headlines, speeches, and changing political climates, help immerse players in the cultural and emotional context of the war. Whether you’re watching Maryland teeter toward secession or dealing with an army crippled by desertion and hunger, the game excels at making you feel the weight of command. The AI, though inconsistent at times, can be competent and occasionally surprising—especially in longer campaigns where it adapts to your strategies and economic decisions. Grand Tactician is not without flaws. The complexity that defines its appeal can also be a barrier to entry. The tutorial is sparse, the interface sometimes cumbersome, and bugs, while fewer than in early access, still crop up in longer campaigns or larger battles. Some mechanics—such as supply systems and naval warfare—lack clarity and can feel underdeveloped compared to the land-based military simulation. Additionally, the game demands significant time investment, not just for a full campaign (which can take dozens of hours), but for learning how its many interwoven systems work together. For those expecting the accessibility of a Total War title, this may come as a shock. However, for players willing to immerse themselves, there are few strategy games that reward attention to detail and historical roleplay to this extent. Despite its limitations, Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) succeeds remarkably well in what it sets out to do: simulate the complexity, chaos, and high stakes of the American Civil War in a way that respects both historical accuracy and player agency. It offers a rare blend of operational-level strategy and real-time battlefield command that allows players to relive one of the most defining conflicts in American history from both the map table and the front lines. It may not be a game for everyone, but for those with a passion for Civil War history and deep strategic planning, it is an unforgettable experience—one of the most ambitious and evocative Civil War games ever created. Rating: 7/10
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Hours Played: A lot. And still learning. As a lifelong Civil War buff, this is the game I’ve always dreamed of playing. Grand Tactician: Civil War offers an unparalleled level of depth, freedom, and historical authenticity that puts it in a league of its own. As someone coming from Ultimate General: Civil War, this game takes everything to the next level. It’s deeper, more complex, and gives you far more control and customization over your campaigns. From army organization to officer assignments, strategic planning, supply management, and tactical battles, you’re in full command. And with that freedom comes real historical immersion, especially if you already know your McClellans from your Longstreets. What sets it apart is the sheer amount of control and customization available. You're not just clicking troops around a map, you’re managing officers, interpreting 19th-century tactics, and making decisions that feel like they could genuinely alter the course of history. If you've ever thought about how terrain, morale, and supply lines shaped real battles, this game will scratch an itch few others can. That said, this isn’t a casual experience. The complexity and steep learning curve might overwhelm those unfamiliar with the Civil War or military strategy. But for players like me who love the intensity, that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. Every playthrough feels fresh thanks to the near-total freedom you're given in planning and executing campaigns. Yes, there are a few glitches here and there, but they’re small bumps in an otherwise rich and ambitious experience. The upside far outweighs the rough edges. The Whiskey & Lemons DLC is another standout, it adds even more tools, scenarios, and options to fine-tune your playthroughs, making a deep game even deeper. Grand Tactician: Civil War isn’t just a game, it’s a Civil War sandbox for the truly devoted. If you love the era and want full control over how the war unfolds, this is a must-have.
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If your a Civil War buff and you want to take part in all aspects of guiding either the Union or the Confederacy then this game is for you. Dont worry about being over whelmed as the game is designed for all levels of play. Automanage feature lets your experts do the day to day managment in as much or as little as you want. Real time battles are very much like the Total War series but with more realistic game mechanics such as delayed orders and feuds. Delayed orders means the commanding officer has to send the order by carrier, you can watch the message traveling physically front the HQ to the intended officer for it to be carried out. Such mechanics brings a whole new level of realisim and forces the player into a chess match where you need to think ahead. Politics, policy, special projects and so much more allows you to experience this genre like never before. You want to cripple a enemy armys ability to fight by attacking supply lines? How about Utillizing railways for rapid movement of troops and supplies? Do you want to build a strong navy to blockade your rivals ports or to hinder aid from across the pond ? How about taking historical commander and assign him to a different theater of war to try and alter the pages of history. Hats off to the devs for pouring themselves into the history of the war to make the game as detailed as possible. Educational and fun , follow the historical steps or fight the war how your. A great game that allows you to armchair general your way through this amazing time in history. BTW I just got the game recently and am loving it in May 2025.
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I recommend this game along with its DLC Whiskey & Lemons. Lets talk about the positives. This game has a massive map spanning from Texas to Maine just about which for some could be a positive or negative as it could be overwhelming. This is a large game and by that standard yes the whole game could be for players who are newer to Grand Strategy games. You have ultimate control over EVERYTHING. From building up your navy to naming the individual regiments within the game. For any total war players out there its a mix between a total war game and Hearts of Iron. Playing real time 3D battles is pretty fun and can be challenging no matter what side you decide to play as. As the Union you can't go into a campaign expecting to steam roll the rebels but as the CSA you can't underestimate the power and might of the Union Army and Navy. In this game your actions have consequences. If you decide to auto-resolve a battle it could be the difference between winning the war or losing it just like real life. It has a good research system and even with about 1,000 hours I still don't know exactly how the economy works. I do love getting to decide what rifles I want to give to who etc. It's pretty much Ultimate General Civil War, HOI4, and Total war. The Whiskey & Lemons DLC is very very fun. Getting to start out as a officer of a small regiment and climbing your way through the ranks is very enjoyable. Your actions can negatively affect the way your men look at you and it adds more a bit more to the game... Do i think you should buy this full price???? No. Wait to get it on sale and get the DLC with it trust me you'll save a More money that way. Now onto the negatives. This game is one of those trial and error kind-of-games. It takes a lot just to do one campaign. The enemy and friendly AI can be, well, brain dead. But in other times you'll find yourselves scrambling to do something about the enemy force. This game is also complicated. If you're a veteran of these games you'll have a better time than someone who wants to throw themselves in the deep-end. There are bugs which I haven't came across but am aware about and recently the developers have decided to move on from this game so take that as you will. If you have further questions let me know in the comments and I'll gladly respond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) is currently priced at 44.99€ on Steam.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 44.99€ on Steam.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) received 1,656 positive votes out of a total of 2,175 achieving a rating of 7.36.
😊
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) was developed and published by Grand Engineer Corps.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) is not playable on MacOS.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) is not playable on Linux.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) is a single-player game.
There are 3 DLCs available for Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865). Explore additional content available for Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) on Steam.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) does not support Steam Remote Play.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865).
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Last Updates| Steam data | 23 October 2025 00:17 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 18 October 2025 11:23 |
| Steam price | 24 October 2025 12:43 |
| Steam reviews | 24 October 2025 07:54 |
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Game modes
Features
Online players
127
Developer
Grand Engineer Corps
Publisher
Grand Engineer Corps
Release
24 Sep 2021
Platforms