North & South Longplay (Amiga) [QHD]

Game Info
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Developer: Infogrames
Publisher: Infogrames
Year of Release: 1989

Game Review & Impressions
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Based on the cartoon strip Les Tuniques Bleu, North & South is game which straddles the world's if computer strategy and traditional boardgames. Set during the American Civil War, players assume the command of Northern or Confederate factions, fighting for territory and attempting to defeat armies of the opposition to claim total victory.

Having chosen various options from the menu, players are greeted by the campaign map, representing various American states. The starting year chosen dictates how many military units each side starts the game with, as well as where they're located. Players take turns to move troops into adjacent territories, capturing it for their side in the process.

Each game turn ends once both sides have moved all their units. Players will then watch the railroad network come into play, as locomotives navigate the tracks running across state lines. Each territory held by an army through which the train travels contributes to the amount of bullion awarded to the player, which allows for the purchase of reinforcements. Capturing and holding key territories to increase bullion supply is vital to success, either increasing your own military powers, or cutting off the enemy's gold supply.

Pitched battles can be initiated by moving opposing armies into the same territory. The game switches to a view of the battle, with players taking direct control of their units in a fight to the death. Cannons can be used to fire at units over long range, while cavalry and riflemen can be used to advance on enemy positions. Victory in battle is often down to luck as much as strategy, and each battle can be quite frenetic as you attempt to switch between units on the fly.

The game also features random events and mini-games, such as hijacking a speeding locomotive to capture it's gold. These events have consequences, either robbing it rewarding a player with additional troops or resources.

Even today, North & South remains an incredibly accessible and polished title. The presentation, artwork and audio effects are superb, and most importantly, the gameplay is excellent. Fast pacing and lack of complicated rules mean games take 15 - 30 minutes to complete, and the events and mini-games provide a additional depth and strategy, with becoming overbearing. If you're a fan of strategy-lite titles, definitely give North & South a try.

Information & Trivia
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Video Notes
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Features all 4 starting years (see chapters for time codes)
Native American & Mexican combat events included as bonus footage at the end of the video

Related Longplays & Videos
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Chapters
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00:00 Intro
01:23 Game 1: 1861
10:26 Game 2: 1862
14:50 Game 3: 1863
30:13 Game 4: 1864
37:54 Bonus footage: other endings
38:41 Bonus footage: map events

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