How I Learned To Love The Galciv2

A long time ago, I played a game called Space Empires 2. The only other 4X style game I'd played was Civilizations, but being a science fiction buff, I was enthusiastic about sending fleets of starcruisers across the galaxy.

When I stumbled upon a review for Galactic Civilizations II in PC Gamer, I was pleasantly surprised to read the glowing praise lavished on the game that sounded hauntingly familiar. It seemed like this would be very close to the empire-building game I had enjoyed long ago, except with even more customization of starships. Excited, I purchased the game outright and went home to install it.

I loaded up the game, skipped the tutorial, started a skirmish game, and got hopelessly stuck trying to find a space battle.

Since I'm an impatient sort at times, I shelved the game for a while. Every so often I would glance over at the box and wonder that I'd spent forty bucks for a game I would never play. Finally, on one rainy afternoon, I decided I would give it another go. Wisely, I noticed that there were a couple of tutorials available to watch, and watch them I did.

Suddenly, I had newfound understanding for how to play the game. It was as if a blindfold had been removed, and I could see. I dove right in with an appreciation for the depth the game could offer, and about two hundred turns into the game as my fleet of starcruisers bore down on an alien world, I realized I was truly enjoying this, even more so than Space Empires 2.

So now as Dark Avatar downloads, I have to say thanks. Thank to you folks at Stardock for making such an amazingly entertaining game, at which I have spent hours upon hours. The ship editor is fantastic, and really adds a depth of personalization I've rarely seen in a strategy game.
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Reply #1 Top
So true! The game definitely has a learning curve and I nearly shelved it as well after my first couple games on Tough. But I stuck with it and learned how all the systems interact. Now in my current game, I've gone from worst starting position to one step from Galactic Overfiend. My next game will be on Painful or Crippling now because I'm ready to step up the challenge.
Reply #2 Top
I've gone from worst starting position to one step from Galactic Overfiend.


It's good to hear those rags to riches stories, they're so heartwarming. And in a way that you'll never get by putting a Snathi's heart in the microwave oven.
Reply #3 Top
And in a way that you'll never get by putting a Snathi's heart in the microwave oven.


LMFAO

4x TBS games are about the only video game genre i play, really. i've been known to play some RTS, and i do love RPGs. i just haven't seen any RPGs in whose publishers i have faith. i have faith in stardock; they've consistently done right by me. if i ever get a mean craving for a good RPG, i'll just go back to playing D&D. RTSs can be fun, except i like TBS because i can walk away from them and not worry about anything, even forgetting to pause.

GC2 does have a steep learning curve, but it's one i've enjoyed skating immensely. once you do learn the different aspects of the game, i feel you can see how SD has managed to balance simplicity, flexibility, and customizablility. true, there could be more documentation, but i think it'd be a tradeoff, since they're constantly tweaking balance and the like. most of what i've learned about the game, i've learned through these forums, and this online community is one of its strongest features.

i know something's right when a video game makes me wish i didn't have the biological need to sleep. because i do love sleep. but i love GC2 more.
Reply #4 Top
I practically had the same thing with galciv1. I wanted action and it didn't come, so I put it away. Eventually I got smart enough to know how the system worked and I was shovin' ships out in no time!
Reply #5 Top
*Sniff*

Such a nice story. The first time you played, you wondered if you wasted 40 bucks, but now you realize what a great game it is.

Now go! Hunt down those alien scum. Good hunting!