Ultimate General: Gettysburg

Ultimate General: Gettysburg is a tactical battle simulator in which you command thousands of soldiers as either the Union or Confederate army during the Battle of Gettysburg. Your decisions and military performance shape the battle’s outcome as you choose strategies and direct your forces across a detailed map.

The battle

The armies meet near Gettysburg on the morning of July 1, 1863. Reinforcements arrive from historically accurate directions, while random events, delays and tactical choices can make each engagement unfold differently from history. The battle progresses through time phases and can last up to four days, with each day divided into as many as three phases. The armies’ condition and map positions carry over between phases.

Events can open up decisions based on your previous performance. As the Confederate commander, for example, you may choose to attack Cemetery Hill on the morning of July 2 rather than make a delayed flanking maneuver at Peach Orchard, if you took Seminary Ridge the day before. You can also defend and wait for the AI opponent to take the initiative between days. These choices create different possible outcomes and challenges, including the chance to re-enact Pickett’s Charge or try alternative plans for Lee and Meade.

Command and tactics

You issue orders by dragging simple movement arrows. Units can act on their own initiative, realign, switch targets, withdraw and form battle lines without player input, so you can give general commands without micromanaging every action.

Morale and unit condition affect how forces perform. Morale responds to flank and rear attacks, casualties, volley shocks, artillery fire and fatigue. Units with high morale fire more coordinated volleys, while discipline and tight formations also affect their effectiveness. Keeping units close together makes them more resilient to charges and flank attacks but more vulnerable to projectile fire, so forcing an enemy to hold dense lines under artillery fire can be a useful tactic.

Opposing commanders

The AI uses nine distinct personalities, each with its own advantages, skills and approach to command. These commanders assess the battle and react in real time, acting aggressively or defensively, heroically or cunningly. They can attempt to flank your forces, use artillery to secure strategic locations, hold reserves and reinforce areas they attack or defend. Their tactics reflect their individual styles; a defensive opponent, for instance, may hold back in an early engagement and advance more strongly in later battles.

The battlefield

The map depicts major locations, houses, ridges and hills using satellite images and historical maps. Terrain, elevation and obstructions affect movement and visibility, while cover, concealment and high ground shape tactical opportunities. Hills and ridges provide firing positions and improve the sight, morale and accuracy of troops stationed there.

Line of sight changes with elevation and obstacles. Units can use cover and concealment to endure artillery fire or set up ambushes, and the AI can use these tactics as well. Units enter and leave the fog of war gradually, with a fade effect.

Armies and leaders

The game includes the full orders of battle for the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Forces range from small artillery batteries to large infantry brigades, with cavalry and skirmishers as well. Brigade sizes and abilities reflect historical facts, as do the numbers and types of artillery batteries. Major generals and officers take part in organizing and supporting the armies, and appear in after-action battle reports that track the battle’s progress.