PSA: Galactic Civilizations II free on Humble

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Yeah, like the title says, you can get Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition for free at Humble [https://www.humblebundle.com/store/galactic-civilizations-ii-ultimate-edition?hmb_source=humble_home&hmb_medium=product_tile&hmb_campaign=mosaic_section_1_layout_index_1_layout_type_twos_tile_index_2]. It's one of those limited free while supplies last things, so nab it while you can if interested. Guess I should add some discussion value now.

So, is this game any good? How does it stack up against other 4X greats like Master of Orion, Civilization and Alpha Centauri?
[small]they're the only ones I've played. Yes, shame on me.[/small]

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Terrific game. Can't comment on how it stacks up to modern ones though. It's been a while since I played it.

 

[Vendor-Lazarus]

Well, I think GalCiv II is better than III, but the original is the best.
It's still a good 4X game though. Quite popular.

If I were to compare it to the MoO series, it is quite similar to the first two at a glance, but with more options and shinier graphics.
MoO III now, that is quite a different story. I personally liked MoO III but not many agree. MoO III takes a more holistic approach and set the standards to macro decisions more so than micro ones. One can do micro, but is even more work than usual.

Alpha Centauri and the regular Civilization series are land-based so while it's still in the same genre, there are those that prefer space more and notices the difference.
I would say that GalCiv is generally better than those though.

If you really like Space 4X games, you should try Distant Worlds - Universe, Space Empires IV and Sword of the Stars 1.
For some rough gems, check out Lost Empire - Immortals, Imperium Galactica II - Alliances and Armada 2526 - Supernova.

 

[meiam]

I've played a few time and was never particularly impressed by it, wasn't much to do tbh and got pretty repetitive quickly. The planet development isn't all that interesting, tech is mostly just better version of stuff you already have and combat is very slow (although its nice that you build your ship). It's not a bad game but wasn't that interesting.

It's a space 4x, so its pretty different from civ/alpha centauri (think you can only build city in specific spot and most of the map is empty). So MoO is the closest things to it (there's no story or end game threat). Personally I think sword of the star (little planet development, mostly focus of building ship and fighting, all race are very distinct), stellaris (real time, multiple end game crisis, lots of little things to do), sins of a solar empire (if you want something more RTS like) are far more interesting. Distant world universe is extremely rough, easily win the award for worse UI ever and it's also very hard to get information that's really important (most of your money come from stations, but it's impossible to know how much money individual stations makes so you don't know which one lose you money). The new master of orion is also pretty lackluster, with not that much to do.

 

[Vendor-Lazarus]

It's a space 4x, so its pretty different from civ/alpha centauri (think you can only build city in specific spot and most of the map is empty). So MoO is the closest things to it (there's no story or end game threat). Personally I think sword of the star (little planet development, mostly focus of building ship and fighting, all race are very distinct), stellaris (real time, multiple end game crisis, lots of little things to do), sins of a solar empire (if you want something more RTS like) are far more interesting. Distant world universe is extremely rough, easily win the award for worse UI ever and it's also very hard to get information that's really important (most of your money come from stations, but it's impossible to know how much money individual stations makes so you don't know which one lose you money). The new master of orion is also pretty lackluster, with not that much to do.

Sword of the Stars is also the only one where you can play on/in an actual 3D map (discounting Ascendancy since you spend more time in other windows, and Predestination since it isn't out yet), though I always set it to flat personally. I also almost always play the Hivers for their stargates (Starlanes Hoooo!), with occasional bouts of Liir. Can't really get a grip on Humans mode of FTL at all.

Stellaris looks quite good, and plays well initially, but it always end in falling into line with an alliance victory or you against the worldgalaxy..It's also mostly a wargame. Not so much other X's. Last time I played anyway.
One will have to wait out the endless updates and free/paid DLC's they are pumping out too..

Sins of a Solar Empire isn't..really..4X..in my book. Feels much more like real-time grand strategy..Grand RTS?
This one is much disputed though, so tastes may vary.

Distant Worlds Universe is only slightly rough..and the information is often quite readily available online.
It doesn't detract from it's prime example as a solid entry in the 4X genre.
You want to see a really rough 4X UI? Try playing Polaris Sector Lumens.

Endless Space is Real Pretty, but shallow and mostly plays out the same.
StarDrive 1&2 and Horizon are bland overall.
Couldn't get Star Ruler 1&2 to work, so I can't judge them. Though I've heard good things.

 

[Tanis]

I think GalCiv2: Endless Universe is right up there with Master of Orion 2.
-Probably the two best of the Space 4X genera.

That being said, I have had some great fun with the Master of Orion reboot and even Stars in Shadow.

 

[Addendum_Forthcoming]

Ultra Lucky, Frisky, Extra creative, Green Thumbed, Universalist Altarian Resistance ftw!