Battleground 4: Shiloh

Battleground 4: Shiloh
Cover art
Developer(s)	TalonSoft
Publisher(s)	TalonSoft
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Release	July 23, 1996[1]
Genre(s)	Turn-based computer wargame
Mode(s)	Single-player, Head to Head Modem play

Battleground 4: Shiloh is a turn-based computer wargame developed by TalonSoft in 1996 and the fourth issue in the Battleground series.

Gameplay

It simulated combat at the 1862 Battle of Shiloh, using both a video version of miniature wargaming and board gaming. Terrain hex maps are 3D or 2D with various scales and sizes.

The basic platform for the Battleground series involves individual infantry and cavalry regiments, artillery batteries, and commanders. All are rated for strength, firepower, weaponry, morale, and movement. As a unit takes fire, it may become fatigued, disordered, or routed to the rear. Players compete against the computer's artificial intelligence or against another player via modem. Players may try a variety of 25 individual scenarios, or refight the entire Battle of Shiloh. A Fog of War option enhances playing against the computer, as it hides units that are not in direct view of the enemy. The game also includes scenarios related to the Battle of Wilson's Creek and the Battle of Prairie Grove.

The game features video clips of battle reenactments, as well as Civil War music by folk singer Bobby Horton.

Reception

Reception

Review scores

Publication	Score
Computer Games Strategy Plus	[3]
boot	85%[2]
CNET Gamecenter	[4]
PC Games	B−[5]

Shiloh won Computer Gaming World's 1996 "Wargame of the Year" award. The editors wrote, "Sure, there's micromanaging. And yes, there's complexity, too. But the learning curve is justified, because this is simply the best 19th-century system ever designed for a wargame—realistic, challenging, and eminently replayable."^[6] The three Battleground games of 1996—Shiloh, Antietam and Waterloo—collectively won Computer Games Strategy Plus's wargame of the year award.^[7]

The Computer Game Developers Conference nominated Shiloh for its 1996 "Best Music or Soundtrack" Spotlight Award,^[8] which ultimately went to Quake.^[9]

The game received a score of 85% from boot.^[2]

Reviews

• Australian Realms #30^[10]

References

1. "Online Gaming Review". 1997-02-27. Archived from the original on 1997-02-27. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
2. Miller, Andrew (November 1996). "Battleground 4: Shiloh". boot (3): 94.
3. Udell, Scott (August 22, 1996). "Battleground: Shiloh". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Archived from the original on 2005-04-18. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
4. Chick, Tom. "Review; Battleground 4: Shiloh". CNET Gamecenter. Archived from the original on February 5, 1997.
5. Miller, Andrew. "Battleground 4: Shiloh". PC Games. Archived from the original on 1997-05-25. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
6. Staff (May 1997). "The Computer Gaming World 1997 Premier Awards". Computer Gaming World. No. 154. pp. 68–70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80.
7. Staff (March 25, 1997). "Computer Games Strategy Plus announces 1996 Awards". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
8. Staff (April 15, 1997). "And the Nominees Are..." Next Generation. Archived from the original on 1997-06-05. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
9. "Spotlight Awards Winners Announced for Best Computer Games of 1996" (Press release). Santa Clara, California: Game Developers Conference. April 28, 1997. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011.
10. "Australian Realms Magazine - Complete Collection". June 1988.

External links

• Games First review