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Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords

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7.9 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 39 critic reviews
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Based on 32 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Stardock

Developer: Stardock

Genre(s): Turn-Based Strategy

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: February 24, 2006

Summary

Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords is the sequel to Stardock's hit turn-based strategy game. Galactic Civilizations is a strategy game that takes place in the distant future where mankind has become a space-faring civilization and now must contend with other galactic powers who strive for domination in the galaxy. The basic concept behind Galactic Civilizations II is the same as the first one -- to build an interstellar civilization. [Strategy First]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Galactic Civilizations Galactic Civilizations: Altarian Prophecy

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: GameSpot Preview IGN Preview Official Game Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

GameShark

Pretty much everything you could ask for in a turn based space strategy game: great AI, great diplomacy model, a ship designer, easy to understand techs, multiple races, multiple custom options, good graphics, solid interface, and a replay value that is through the roof.

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100

G4 TV

Galactic Civilizations II doesn’t quite share the spit and polish of its terrestrial alternative, but it more than makes up for it with endless customizability and brilliant gameplay.

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eToychest

GalCiv 2 features all of the accessibility and addiction of the higher profile Civ IV, but it also boasts an arguably superior A.I. and a killer theme. Even non-fans would be well served to check this title out—it’s that good.

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Loaded Inc

When it’s all said and done, Galactic Civilizations II strives to be an in-depth strategy game that creates a unique universe with an AI smart enough to compete. It not only meets that goal but surpasses it with ease.

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Next Level Gaming

It is clear that the development team used the development cycle to full effect and have created a fantastic game, with all the components coming to together expertly.

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Gaming Nexus

An incredible 4X space-based strategy title, sure to cause sleepless nights and groggy mornings. For those with “one-more-turn syndrome”, this one will consume your world.

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IC-Games

Fun and enjoyment wise nothing has touched Galactic Civilization II this year and we’ll be surprised if that stance changes in December. Stardock and Paradox have without doubt created a hugely enjoyable and highly customizable space simulation that deservers every ounce of your attention.

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FiringSquad

We’re impressed with how simple the game has stayed while adding so much depth.

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Worth Playing

Just a fantastic strategy game that no fan of the genre should pass up. It is refreshing to see a title that can challenge your mind while entertaining you to no end.

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Gamers' Temple

Galactic Civilizations 2 is this galaxy’s best space strategy game.

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Gaming Horizon

The AI is the best seen thus far in any strategy title and the complexity and depth of the game will keep gamers coming back for just one more turn.

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Gamezilla!

The bottom line is if you’re a turn based gamer (it’s 3:00 AM and you’re telling yourself again, "Just one more turn..."), Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords is not something you are going to pass up easily.

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AceGamez

A truly great game. However, it's not for everybody. Let me warn you, I've been playing this game now for about a week, watched all the tutorials and I am yet to come close to winning a game, it's that hard.

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GamerFeed

This empire-building strategy encompasses everything that makes the genre great.

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PC Gameworld

One of the best strategy games I've played recently. The depth of gameplay offered is truly remarkable and the AI is good enough to almost make me forget that there is no multiplayer (almost).

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

For fans of the genre, this is pretty much the only game you need, or will do for a long while, while for those who are just curious, now is as good a time as any for a little experimentation.

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GameSpot

A strategy gamer's dream, boasting a rare mix of depth, customizability, humor, and replayability.

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GameSpy

"Master of Orion" is dead. Long live Galactic Civilizations II!

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1UP

Thanks to the great A.I., there's no question of the game's longevity.

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Computer Gaming World

The core gameplay is so well done and the mechanics are so clean. Thanks to the great A.I., there's no question of the game's longevity.

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Computer Games Magazine

Galactic Civilizations II may not lead to a resurgence of space conquest games, but as long as it's available, the renaissance can wait. [May 2006, p.53]

Boomtown

Stardock has created a deep, intelligent, yet not too serious strategy game that’s going to be the best of its class for quite a while.

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GamingTrend

It’s perfect for laptops since it doesn’t require a CD to be in the drive. The replayability of the game is almost infinite.

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IGN

The AI in particular is one of the high points of the game, providing an experience that's as unpredictable and challenging as just about any we've seen in games of this type.

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AtomicGamer

The missions are a neat addition to the series but the game truly shines when you get into the single games - with the wide array of scenarios that you can choose from and small settings you can tweak, you'll be playing different games for a long time to come.

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Pelit (Finland)

Great looking and fun, albeit a little shallow in the space combat and resource management departments. [April 2006]

PC Gamer UK

It might sound trivial to criticise the lack of a good in-game tutorial, but when each game takes hours to play out, discovering which technologies are most useful by trial and error can be a painful and tedious process. [Apr 2006, p.76]

GameZone

The overall game is very solid, and it really is pointing out excellence to say that the only complaint is a faint lack of anything new. Galactic Civilizations II is an extremely well developed game.

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PC Gamer

My initial impressions of Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords wasn't very favorable, but as I invested more time in it, and really dug deep, I realized that this is indeed a highly complex and addictive strategy game. [May 2006, p.70]

Game Over Online

It’s fun, it gives you a lot of options for how to play, and the interface is clean and easy to use. But it doesn’t look or sound great, you’re not given any control in combat, and the lack of multiplayer means you’ll have to rely on playing computer-controlled opponents, which is never a good thing (even if there are a lot of AI options, as there are here).

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Game Informer

In all, Galactic Civilizations II is worth a play for any genre enthusiast, and exactly what stranded Master of Orion fans have been waiting for. [Apr 2006, p.131]

My Gamer

If you’ve ever wanted to have your own little personal Star Wars at home, do yourself a favor and pick up Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords.

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VideoGamer

GalCiv2's sandbox mode is a control freak's delight.

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Yahoo! Games

A thoroughly welcome development of an established game style, and is well worth your money.

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Eurogamer

You sense that this is going to be some people's game of the year. Hell, with the amount of actual game here, it's possible that could be in a purely literal sense: in that they won't bother playing anything else because this will happily occupy all the time you care to throw at it.

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Game Chronicles

It is the definition of value in gaming as far as I’m concerned even if you’re not completely sold on the genre.

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PC Format

It's not all bad - a few neat touches will bring a tear to old-skoolers' eyes, such as the random random generator for invasion battle odds. It's not enough to wow those spoilt by "Civ IV," though. [Apr 2006, p.95]

Game Revolution

There's so much in this game to like, I almost feel like a jerk having to complain about its myriad bug issues, but a final release with this many problems just isn't acceptable. If it were any other type of product, from a television to a pork chop, I'd return it to the store.

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PC Zone UK

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, this kind of last-generation gameplay would relieve the daily tedium. Now it's in danger of adding to it.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.9 (out of 10) based on 32 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Peter B. gave it a10:
For those who like gameplay over graphics this game is fantastic.

Lawrence L. gave it a2:
I also agree with Mike W., for whatever reason the game is not compatible as is with windows vista. Now in order to make it compatible you need to download a patch. Problem is (if you bought it at retail like me) you need a serial number to run the patch, and guess what..... my game came with no cd key or serial number, so how am i supposed to fix the game?? bunch of geniuses over there. I can only manage about 25 turn before it hangs/freezes, but from what i see its a good game. Unfortunatly there security department needs to give there head a shake and quit wasting peoples time.

Benjamin H. gave it a2:
Why does everyone like this game? It is so completely boring. The interface stinks. The art stinks. The creators forgot that Space Is Not Flat. It's cool that you can customize your ships, but the feature is merely annoying because by the time you build them, they're obsolete! The research system is just a handful of linear tracks with techs numbered 1,2,3,4. If you want to play the good version of this game, play Civilization 4. Homeworld was better if you like realtime. I have no idea why GalCiv continues to get good critic reviews, I almost always agree with the critics.

Mike W. gave it a0:
I have given this game 0 because, even if you have a totally legal purchased copy of the game like i have, the protection system is blown out of all proportion making it impossible to register the game and get patches or updates.These guys really need to take a close look at what the hell they are doing, customers like myself dont want to spend hours trying to get their purchases registered & updated or being sent on wild goose chases trying to resolve these protection CD Key issues.

T. W. gave it a9:
With so many great things about this game already brought to light, I would just be echoing what is already said if I typed it all out. But one thing I would like to reiterate is that the game designers need some serious Kudos for really LISTENING to player input, with great/responsive version patches. Nice to see a game company that really takes it's audience to heart. Looking forward to the expansion.

Jeff D. gave it a4:
I completely fail to see what all the fuss is about with this game. The gameplay is unbelievably repetitive, with nowhere near the number nor variety of nooks and crannies that, say, Civ IV has. The technologies are bland and lamely-named (most of them are just SomeTech I, SomeTech II, SomeTech III, etc.). Worst of all, the writing is *horrible*. I don't expect strategy games to have writing on the same level as a good CRPG, but this is some seriously derivative, borderline-nonsensical stuff. I don't think they even bothered to run the "story" through a grammar/style checker -- and heaven knows whoever wrote for this thing could use the help. All in all, this game is very much like a slicked-up re-hashing of the sorts of games that we used to play on Apple IIs and Commodores -- minus the charm and excitement of those old games. Pick it up when it hits the $4.99 bin, maybe, but otherwise, avoid.

Brian Y. gave it a9:
Old time strategy gamers like me who fell in love with the MOO series knows how disappointing it has been waiting for something to even come close to the Microprose classics. Well Galactic Civilizations II comes prett darn close to filling the void. A nice technology tree, awesome AI, customizable ships, and a great 3D strategy engine helps you relive the glory. One thing missing is tactical control of starship battles as they are played out only in cinematic view. The technology tree is also a little bland as Laser I-IV are as creative as they can get. On the plus side it is a constant design challenge to use equip your ships with the proper defense and weapons. Ship design is also a great feature where your options as far as cosmetic are limitless. Your ships on the starmap actually look like the one you designed too. The 3D starmap is a direction these games need to go where you set at what level you see the model of your ship or a color coded icon from a GOD's eye perspective. Diplomacy is also more fullfilling as the AI is truly the best I have seen in these type of games, MOO included. As far bugs, I have encountered very few bugs, and none that detract from the game. There practically weekly updates so the you know the publisher is on top of their game.

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Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords

Game Info

Summary

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