• NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.

Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords


log in or register to remove this ad

It's very good, if you like the 4x type games. The AI is damn good, and so far as I can tell doesn't cheat. It still has the same drawbacks of the genre, in that big games can be a pain to manage, and they tend to be more fun in the first 2/3 of a game than the last 1/3. Stardock also gets bonus points for not using copy protection.
 


That's funny, I dug it out again just a couple days ago and finally downloaded the latest (last?) patch for it.

Anyway, here's a review I wrote of it when it came out

http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/review/R98968.html

Still mostly true, but IMHO, the game is only really fun while fighting a war. Just building up your empire can kinda be tedious, and you just build starbases ad naseum.

There is an expansion coming out for it, but apparently it won't be hitting stories - you have to buy it direct from them. (Though presumably a Gal Civ 2 gold will be coming out with the EP included, and that will hit stores).
 


I bought this gamea few months ago and play it frequently on my laptop during business trips. Like everyone siad, if you like strategic space conquering games that take intensive planning you can't get any better than this.
 


The game wasn't buggy for me in the slightest. And the company is extremely good at not only releasing patches, but updating content in the patches for free.

Personally, I really like GalCiv2.

Pluses:
- Super customizable ships
- Huge tech tree
- Alignment technologies that lend large advantages
- Great AI
- Many successful strategies (combat, trade, influence, diplomacy, etc.)

Minuses:
- The Starbases take some getting used to if you're more of a MOO2 fan...
- Somewhat repetitive build options on planets
- Many of the techs are smaller, cheaper versions of previous techs

I can't wait for the expansion pack.
 

I caved in and downloaded the game last night. I love digital downloads, since you can't shop on Christmas day! :D

Anyway, I started out with a small generated galaxy to get the hang of things. I am still trying to get a handle on all the options, there are so many of them! :uhoh:

The problem seems to be that I am never too sure what a tech or starbase module or government setting will give me until I'm actually ready to get it. Also, there are some repetitive tasks I would like a governor to handle.

I've just invaded a planet (a "minor" race) to try out ground combat, and it reminds me of MOO2 (or was it MOO?): your soldiers on one side, their soldiers on the other, and they fire at each other. :D :D

The other things is that I would have liked a 3D starmap, the 2D thing is... odd.

Anyway, I am definitely not regretting the purchase, will keep learning the game. Many hours of gaming ahead...

And BTW, the Dark Avatar expansion is already available for download on stardock.com.

EDIT: I forgot, after a few hours of playing, I haven't encountered a single bug. So stable for me.
 
Last edited:

The Dark Avatar expansion is up, but it's a BETA for those who preorder the game. As tempted as I am to get it, I normally like to wait for the final release.

Agreed on the tech thing. I'd be nice if the tech tree described the effects of techs BEFORE you researched them (at all). And it'd also be nice if the techs were better described AFTER you research them. A few plays through the game, and this problem is mostly gone.
 

Into the Woods

Remove ads

Top