Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)If you've ever played and loved Master Of Orion 2, your prayers have been answered. I downloaded the game from GalCiv's site (although you can save $6 by purchasing it from Amazon, but I couldn't wait), and it is a wonderful game. At the time of writing this review, I still haven't slept since downloading it. I haven't done that with a game in years.
Where does this succeed where Master Of Orion 3 and Imperium Galactica failed?
1) The GUI - The interface to the game is very streamlined, simple, and uncluttered. MOO2's greatest feature was how fast you could navigate all of the options. This interface reminds you of the great MOO2 interface with big buttons, a solid feel, and a nice heavy "click" on the buttons. You can control ships with mouse or keypad, and a double-click will access almost anything in the game. Gone are the overly-complex right-click menus and 5-10 layer deep menus of MOO3.
2) The Music - Not overly complex or overdominating. It sets the mood and then stays out of the way.
3) The graphics - You can crank the resolution way up to 1600x1200 if you want to heat up your graphics card, but this is the rare game that looks almost exactly as good at 1024x768. You could have a four year old GeForce2 card and run the game as fast as someone with a brand new 7800. The main reason is that the game uses 3D when necessary to add depth, but otherwise relies on beautifully drawn 2D environments.
4) The mechanics of the gameplay - The game plays fast, but of course, being a turn-based game, you can move as fast or as slow as you like, which is why it is so elegant. A beginner can take his time and enjoy, but as a game goes on and you build a huge empire, you can fly through the screens to manage your empire. The ship design and combat system is truly fun, while maintaining its simplicity.
5) Many ways to win...really! - Most games like this are won through combat or combat+"some minor element that really doesn't matter". In my first game, I cranked up the difficulty and built myself a massive fleet and set out to conquer the universe. Then I noticed my enemies were not fighting each other as much and focusing on me. I had neglected the diplomacy, and I quickly lost the game via diplomacy. You really can win, and get beat, through diplomacy, economy, and many methods other than war. Very cool...
My hats off to the designers of this game. They definitely set out to make an homage to MOO2, and they've succeeded. This little indie publisher really showed up the big guys.
Who knows, maybe in a few years we'll be begging companies to make another GC2:DL!
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Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords has incredible space-based strategy action, where you fight to defend humanity! The reckless humans have formed an alliance for their mutual defense against the rising power of the evil Drengin Empire. Meanwhile, the Drengins gather an alliance of their own and begin exploring the furthest corners of the galaxy for ancient weapons that may give them the uppher hand. But humans and Drengin alike are about to learn that there's far deadlier things in the universe than each other. Take command of a spacefaring civilization and guide it toward galactic control! All-new map system where players can make strategic use of planets, asteroid fields and other interstellar objects State of the art 3D engine with vastly improved graphics and visual effects than the original
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