One of 2005’s biggest disappointments for me was Crown of Glory from Western Civilization Software by way of Matrix. The ambitious Napoleonic Wars game had too much of everything except clear documentation and feedback. It has just been patched again, but I don’t have much of a desire to load it up and see what has been fixed.

But there was enough positive feedback from users that Western Civ and Matrix are teaming up again for another historical strategy game, Forge of Freedom: The American Civil War, 1861-1865. Allen Rausch has an early preview over on Gamespy.

At first glance, the political subgame inspires fond memories of the SSI classic No Greater Glory. The battle engine looks much improved, too, though the two hour tactical battles in Crown of Glory had me reaching for the auto-resolve button every single time.

Still too soon to tell if the game is any good, of course. No release date yet. Stay tuned for more news as I find it.