CheatCC says: "History Channel Civil War: Secret Missions takes inspiration from almost every World War II-shooter cliché and slaps a Civil War coat of paint on it. It's not a terrible game, but it is an entirely linear and limited experience. You're corralled along very straight-forward levels, using uninteresting firearms in almost pedestrian skirmishes. Additionally, though the Civil War lasted about four years, Secret Missions will be over in just a little over four hours. There are bonuses, pictures, and letters that will perhaps appeal to the very niche audience this game is aimed at, but at $40, it's an anemic package, regardless of who's in the market for such an experience."
Backlog Quest is a month long special event on Clearance Bin Review featuring daily game reviews of the games that have sat on the shelf for simply too long; old and new.
From Day 27 – Civil War: Secret Missions, Tristan Rendo writes, "Civil War: Secret Missions is one of many churned out FPS titles to bear a History Channel logo on it. The game places you in the uniforms of soldiers in both The North and The South, in missions where you are often attempting to complete a task ahead of the main army so that your side can achieve victory in the coming battle. What really results though is a mess of a game with some historical facts thrown in here and there for good measure."
Alas, Secret Missions fails to be that glorious Civil War first-person shooter that not only gives gamers a good glimpse of what the tragic war was about but also experience the secretive side to famous confrontations during that period. With too many problems holding it back, those gamers with an eye towards history should simply consider renting this one instead.
Gameplay 5
Graphics 5.5
Sound 4.5
Difficulty Med/Hard
Concept 5
Overall 5.0
Considering the war and the nature of the subject matter, History – Civil War: Secret Missions could have been a fascinating glimpse into some of the earlier covert attacks launched by both the Union and Confederacy in one of the darkest moments of U.S. History. With the pedigree of the History Channel behind it, it should've been a special game indeed. Instead, it comes across as a bland title with weak and nonsensical mechanics, as well as generic visuals and sound. This doesn't impart a sense of these missions, nor does it cover enough of the Civil War to do the battle justice.
Presentation - 4.0
Graphics - 5.0
Sound - 5.0
Gameplay - 5.0
Lasting Appeal - 4.0
Overall -
