If the real American Revolution was like this, the US would be having tea and crumpets at cricket matches instead of beer and hot dogs.

In my opinion, there is nothing like a good strategy game... Unfortunately, Birth of America, the new game available through Steam from French developer Strategy First is nothing like a good strategy game either. You’d think the French would know something about re-creating the American Revolution and the French and Indian War in strategy form, but no dice on this one.

That’s too bad too, because the idea of a battle with weapons and tactics that date to over two hundred years ago is quite refreshing in the sea of fantasy, WWII and modern-era military games that are currently on the market.



The concept of the game itself is just fine. You play as either the American Colonists (who, historically, got to hide in the rocks and trees and under heavy brush and wherever they chose) or the mighty British army (who wore red, marched in a straight line, and had a large white “X” crossing their midsections – is it any wonder the Yanks won that war?) in the Revolutionary campaigns which re-enact several specific battles with historical accuracy. Of course the player can prove that he’s savvier than the average British commander from so long ago and, through careful planning, turn these key battles in favor of the Crown.

Every expected nuance is accounted for, including dense and difficult terrain (makes it harder for units to move), the “fog of war” (makes enemy units nearly undetectable) and the assistance provided to either side by the Native Americans (okay, they’re just called “Indians” here) and other assisting nations and parties (including Loyalists – colonists who were against the Revolution and loyal to Great Britain).