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There are a number of rule sets which deal more or less with the English Civil War. The most popular are probably DBR, Forlorn Hope and File Leader.
DBR is a general set covering the whole period 1494-1700. As such it has the advantages of being widespread and it is relatively easy to find opponents. However, it lacks ECW 'flavour' - the armies are relatively well balanced and similar, and are also too large for the majority of ECW battles. Probably the most significant criticism of the DBR system is the army lists. These are far too general and colourless. The ECW was nothing if not a regional confilct. While the given lists may give an average army, nothing in the ECW was average. Additionally, not all Royalist cavalry were dashing Cavailiers, and not all Parliamentarians were plodding shooters in the early years. Lack of variety in the lists is the culprit.
Forlorn Hope is a set of specifically ECW rules for larger battles, and as such gains much from its focus. The set does include army lists and rules for rolling army compositions randomly. The major criticism of the rules are the large number of morale throws required to actually carry out a charge. But they are quite fast flowing and give a good flavour. There is supposed to be a new edition coming out soon.
File Leader is a set of 'company' scale rules for the ECW. Most actions in the war do not really deserve the name 'battle' and so the above rules are inappropriate. These rules concentrate on these smaller actuions, focussing on commanders and command. They are also the only set to have me laughing while reading them (a recommendation in itself) with the notorious 'officer incidents' which can mean anything from embarassing situations to heroic (if probably futile) death. A fine, well flavoured rule set.
There are other sets which might be used for ECW gaming, see the rules page for a list, but the three above are the most popular so far as I can tell.
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