Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords

 PC
Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords Image
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

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  • 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 striveGalactic 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]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. GameShark
    100
    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.
  2. Gaming Nexus
    95
    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.
  3. Gamers' Temple
    92
    Galactic Civilizations 2 is this galaxy’s best space strategy game.
  4. Computer Gaming World
    90
    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.
  5. GamingTrend
    87
    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.
  6. GameZone
    83
    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.
  7. PC Zone UK
    60
    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.

See all 39 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 26
  3. Negative: 5 out of 26
  1. ChrisW.
    Feb 23, 2006
    10
    Easily one of the best strategy games I've played. You can tell when a game is truly a labor of love -- these guys really poured their Easily one of the best strategy games I've played. You can tell when a game is truly a labor of love -- these guys really poured their souls into this thing. The ship design feature is awesome, the AI is fantastic; as for the bugs...anyone who played Galciv 1 knows that this company backs up its products with patches and support -- long after sales have tapered off. I actually haven't experienced any major bugs yet, but for those who have you can be sure that Stardock will get it fixed ASAP. A must have for strategy fans!… Expand
  2. Rroberto
    Mar 21, 2006
    10
    with the latest 1.1 patch adding loads more content and fixing some minor issues this game just suck hours away from your life. i found the with the latest 1.1 patch adding loads more content and fixing some minor issues this game just suck hours away from your life. i found the various AI settings very impressive and challenging. Turn based games for the PC are few and far between and this game just makes it so much sweeter, what with planet management trading fleet management this game keeps things simple and fun. also another plus is how you can create your own ship designs. ive managed to create so far the battlestar galactica, enterprise, cylon raider klingon bird of prey, basicly you can design almost anything that takes your fancy. another thing about this game is that they decided not to add the starforce protection system and you have to comend stardoc for doing this. and the last plus is that after its installed you dont need the disk in the drive to play it.… Expand
  4. PeterB.
    Feb 7, 2008
    10
    For those who like gameplay over graphics this game is fantastic.
  5. Twelvefield
    Mar 17, 2006
    8
    This game definitely boosts the tired genre of space exploitation games. However, GalCiv 2 could still use more high-end gloss to reallyThis game definitely boosts the tired genre of space exploitation games. However, GalCiv 2 could still use more high-end gloss to really finish it off. The graphics and interface are certainly workable, but not gorgeous, and the sound is rather weak. Defenders of this type of game will tell you that this is the way all space-exploitation games should look, but I think there's room for more chrome and anodized metal in this game. I'd like to see the genre come up with a game that played out like Civ 4, but had the graphics of X3.

    That being said, GalCiv isn't nearly as polished-looking or -sounding as Star Wars: Empire At War. It doesn't have as many cohesive features as Civ 4. But the game play is very good at the get-go, there's tons of room for customization by every level of user from beginner to expert, the forum support is not bad, and the game developers, Stardock, are extremely willing to listen and react to their user base.
    I'd still reccommend Civ 4 as the best conquest game out right now, but if you want to know what happens to your civilization after you complete the space quest, the absolute best way to do that is to play Gal Civ 2!    … Expand
  6. gracjanski
    Aug 15, 2018
    7
    This game is love on the 2nd sight. In the first sight you will be disappointed by the bad graphics, bad tutorials (which are just videos) andThis game is love on the 2nd sight. In the first sight you will be disappointed by the bad graphics, bad tutorials (which are just videos) and the boring campaign (in the first mission, your ally will win the scenario for you lol).
    But if you read the manual and maybe a bit in the internet, you understand, that the free games and the AI are the focus of this game. You can set the AI algorithm and the economy bonus/ malus even separately, so I recommend to change only the economy that suits your skill and give the best algorithm possible.
    The free game is very complex and focus on the big research tree and the modular system to create ships. There are 12 races that are played very differently and you can build one, anyway there should be more races. There are some mods to improve the game, I recommend APT 1.3, that change the research tree a bit, because the AI tends to make some mistakes there. In addition there is the little graphic mod HRG. The sound and music are ok.
    After loading a game I had a bug with the drawing of the borders and my cultural influence was wrong. Of course this is unacceptable and I lost the motivation to continue    … Expand
  7. NeilB.
    Feb 22, 2006
    7
    This would be a very good game if it wasn't for the bugs and unpolished nature of it. I crash 5-6 times everytime I try to play and have This would be a very good game if it wasn't for the bugs and unpolished nature of it. I crash 5-6 times everytime I try to play and have had a dozen corrupt saves already. Test your damn games companies!… Expand
  8. MikeW.
    Aug 1, 2007
    0
    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 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.… Expand

See all 26 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best PC Game of 2006
44
#44 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
86
#86 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

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