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The American Civil War - a time of hardship for the USA as brother fought brother in the main title fight of the 19th Century, Confederate versus Union, North versus South.

The great battle is played over the whole of North America with the Blues in the North corner and the Greys in the South corner. Choose the year that you want to start the game (1861-1864) and the skill level of the side you want to play (Corporal, Sergeant or Captain). The year of the battle dictates the situation for both sides (with the Union obviously getting a better deal towards the end of the war).

North And South is based around the idea of gaining land. Put the cursor on a unit you want to move and info flashes up showing how many soldiers, cavalrymen and cannons it has. If it's one of yours, press Fire and the States it can move to flash. The more land you control, the more money you earn - fill up your safe and you get a bonus unit.

To collect your money, you need control of at least two railway stations for the train to run between. Gaining more stations to earn more money, as well as destroying your enemy's money making is a prime objective. To take a station, move a unit onto it. If it's already occupied the scene switches to inside the station. A brave 'volunteer' runs across the courtyard dodging dogs, leaping over dynamite and fighting the defenders. Beat all this *and* the timer and you gain control of the fortress station.

But if that proves too difficult, you might try a bit of robbery. If you've got a unit in one of the States the enemy train runs through, you might have an opportunity to board it. If you do, your man is shown standing beside the railway track: jump onto a carriage then run forward, leaping the gaps and dodging the enemy soldiers. Get to the engine and you might steal enough cash to get another unit. Another way of getting money is to control the port in Virginia, where ships come, leaving a very handy combat unit.

All this is great fun but to get anywhere, plenty of men are needed for the combat scenes. When two armies meet, it's off to battle with cavalry and cannons towing along behind. Best to use the cannon to soften up the enemy and send in the cavalry to mop up any survivors. Watch out for rifle-toting troops - they're good shots. If you don't want arcade combat, the strategy mode fights the battle automatically.

This really is a gem of the game. The sheer variety of gameplay, the many excellent details, like the photographer taking a picture when all the options have been set: it all adds up to an utterly irresistible package.

The basic mix of strategy and arcade action is excellent, and to add spice you can turn on options for Virginia Port and Indian attacks.

In truth, the strategy may not be that complex, but the great arcade sections and wealth of options should make this a prized part of your software collection.

Wargames are my sort of thing and while North And South won't see SSI quaking in their combat boots, it's certainly a thousand times more fun to play.

The option screen is a joy to play around with, as switching on different options is accompanied by little effects and sounds. What's more, the in-game presentation is superb, with humorous graphic effects popping up all over the place.

The strategy may be a little shallow but with three skill levels per side, four scenarios, and numerous other factors to select there are plenty of options to keep arcade fans and strategists busy.

Presentation 96%
Well polished with a great sense of humour and plenty of options.

Graphics 93%
Cartoon graphics lifted straight from a comic book.

Sound 87%
Suitable tunes and very neat spot effects.

Hookability 90%
Compared to all other strategy games, this is unbelievably easy to get into.

Lastability 91%
Three skill levels together with four battle periods ensure long term play.

Overall 90%
A fresh and offbeat arcade approach to the Civil War.