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(More customer reviews)Galactic Civilizations II Ultimate Edition is the latest and best installment of the Galactic Civilizations series, packing in both currently-available expansion packs in addition to the base game. It is a turn-based strategy/conquest game, allowing play to stretch out over days or even weeks. There is a lot to this game, but once you get the hang of how to play this game it is very much worth the time and effort.
To be very clear, this is a turn-based game, not a real-time strategy game or a first-person shooter. If turn-based games do not appeal to you, look elsewhere. If you have not played a turn-based game in the past, it is a different experience from most other games on the market in that the planning and strategizing require thinking in a different way, and this style of play is not something everyone enjoys.
One of the very first things that a player will notice about this game is that the graphics are absolutely stunning. Stardock put an incredible amount of effort and care into the interface, from the menus to the cut scenes. Everything is smooth, seamless and, well, beautiful.
Although the graphics are well-done, the interface is exceptionally complex and busy. The player manages almost every conceivable aspect of the game - economy and tax rate, research direction and funding, relationships with other civilizations, planetary production, fleet composition, trade and more. It is very easy to get lost in the sheer volume of options available.
Gameplay starts with several choices, most importantly race but certainly not the only option. Victory conditions (more on that shortly), universe size, star cluster density, frequency of viable worlds, number of other civilizations, and a few other options are all specified at the start. After making all of these selections, the player gets a single planet, a colony ship, a survey ship and an asteroid miner.
Every turn consists of a number of important choices. The player decides how to allocate all of the resources available and takes steps to better their position, with the ultimate goal of meeting the victory conditions specified at the start. This may include exploration of space junk (there is frequently much benefit to doing so), colonization of a new planet, or perhaps cranking up the tax rate. Once all of the desired options have been selected, the player ends the turn and a new turn begins after all selections have been executed.
One of the most interesting aspects of the game is in designing new ships for the fleet. The player gets to pick hull type, armament, sensors and everything else a ship needs to be a successful contributor. Once a design is complete and named, any starport orbiting the player's planets can build those ships. It is important to keep in mind that some designs may not work well through the entire game but that sometimes a design should be retired in favor of new, more advanced designs.
Gameplay continues until victory conditions are met. There are several conditions that can be specified - military conquest, diplomatic victory (peace treaties with all other major civilizations), technological victory (done through research) or even a cultural invasion.
Every choice a player makes affects something else within the game. For example, higher taxes can cause a planet to mutiny and join a different civilization. More important, though, is how choices affect relations with the other civilizations. Most civilizations pay attention to ethical alignment and military might, and depending on how strong or weak a player's civilization can even incite a war. Finding a good balance is the key, and finding that balance is inherently tough.
As this version comes with both expansion packs, there are three campaigns that are available for play. I have not tried any of these so I cannot really comment on them.
This is a very engrossing game with slick graphics and many, many choices for the gamer who wants absolute control over every aspect of the game. If this style of play is appealing to you, seriously consider picking up a copy for yourself and say goodbye to your free time.
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Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition includes the best-selling and award-winning space strategy game Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords and the two AddOns Dark Avatar and Twilight Of The Arnor in one comprehensive collection! Alternative map sizes and victory tasks Players can now design new starships from the main game menu All game campaigns have been updated to be playable within Twilight of the Arnor New user manual Numerous new game setup options Updated diplomatic options New planetary governors for automating the building of planets Revamped espionage system Auto-building for starbases Balance updating Improved graphics The Story In the year 2225, mankind's thirst for domination has spread to the stars, where the battle for conquest rages on. Humans struggle for supremacy over the other Galactic powers, who have their own plans for the cosmos. In Galactic Civilizations II, you will use technology, diplomacy, colonization and war as your tools to build a far-reaching interstellar empire. Key Game Features:
All in One- Comes with Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords and both expansions, The Dark Avatar and Twilight of the Arnor
Spacecraft Customization - State of the art 3D engine enables users to create their own ships from scratch!
Additional Maps - Experience New maps, units and scenarios
New playable civilizations
Enhanced graphics and soundtrack - Experience Galactic Civilization II's new look and feel
Triumph in an Epic Interstellar WarIn Galactic Civilizations II The Ultimate Edition, you'll utilize military prowess, technological advancements, economic might and cultural expansions to triumph in an interstellar war. The all-new map system helps you stay in control of your forces, while the 3D engine delivers incredible graphics. Discover why this game has won so many rave reviews and "Game of the Year" accolades as you enter a unique strategy experience.
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