Sid Meier's Antietam!

 PC
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Adrenaline Vault
    90
    Every once in a while, a wargame comes along that makes you think about war and all its terrible consequences--and this is one of them. But that doesn't mean I won't be booting it up to try my luck again tomorrow.
  2. All Game Guide
    90
    The attention to detail will likely be among the first things many gamers will notice.
  3. Computer Games Magazine
    80
    Yes, you get tension, stress, and frustration in a way few other wargames can replicate, but you also get thrills and a strong sense of satisfaction at a job well done, at a plan that comes together just right. All-in-all, Antietam! may not be a major gaming leap over its predecessor… but then, given the quality of Gettysburg! it doesn't have to be.
  5. Electric Playground
    70
    Definitely not for the casual gamer or anyone into pretty graphics, Sid Meier’s Antietam! is great game nonetheless, providing an accurate and historic simulation of one of the bloodiest (i.e. casualty-filled) single days in American history.
  6. Eurogamer
    70
    A wargame that only hardcore wargamers could love. Historically accurate to a fault, vast in scale, unnecessarily complex and poorly presented, it isn't going to win any new fans for the genre.
  7. Game Over Online
    79
    This game certainly could have benefited dramatically from an overhaul in the graphics department, but the gameplay remains top notch. The added refinements and tweaks make for some excellent gameplay and the addition of the scenario generator will add that much more in terms of replay value.
  8. GamePro
    80
    It's somehow not quite as fun as "Gettysburg."
  9. GameSpot
    85
    Offers no dramatic graphics overhaul or drastic redesign - just a new setting, new subject matter, and more of the same great Civil War strategy, which is nicely refined through a series of subtle enhancements.
  10. IGN
    88
    Without a doubt one of the most remarkable Civil War games I've played, even better than Gettysburg.
  11. PC Gamer
    75
    A boon to hardcore fans of the original - but probably no one else. [Feb 2000, p.122]
  12. PC Gameworld
    87
    A great game for fans of Gettysburg! who wanted more, even if it feels like it should have been released quite some time ago.
  13. Yahoo!
    60
    The dated graphics and the lack of a campaign turned me off. SMA may have been successful if it was an add-on pack that came out last year, but this year it just seems dated.

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best PC Game of 1999
15
#15 Most Discussed PC Game of 1999

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. TheManichaean
    Sep 30, 2004
    8
    This game is worthy of the Sid Meier name, in both the positive and negative ways. On the positive side, the concept is excellent. This Real This game is worthy of the Sid Meier name, in both the positive and negative ways. On the positive side, the concept is excellent. This Real Time Strategy was really ahead of its time, and even implements some things that I'd like to see in current games. For example, formation actually matters to your troops. Line formation is your standard, but there are others: columnar is fast on the march, but terrible for fighting. Skirmish is a spread out stance good for combat on the move over rough terrain, but it just won't stand up against a fortified line of troops. Troops have morale, which can be boosted by the presence of commanders. Close combat is exciting too, full with fast, furious charges and answering vollies from encamped defenders. These are the characteristics of a great Sid Meier game: inspired to the last breath. Now, though, the bad point: no good multiplayer support. Meier is a genius of gaming, having created Pirates (if any of you guys remember that gem!) and Civilizations. Unfortunately, Meier seems to be stuck back in those good old days. Back then, Commodore 64's couldn't network to play (very easily, at least). It was OK to make a stupendous 1 player strategy game. Now, though, any wargamer worth his lead figurines wants to take the combat online. And Gettysburg simply doesn't facilitate that easily. It's truly a shame, and if Meier were to release a revised version (like Blizzard's Warcraft 2 online edition), I'd be the first guy in line. So if you come across this hidden gem of a game, buy it! You'll only be disappointed that you can't play it online!… Full Review »
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