Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar

 PC
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. G4 TV
    100
    It makes a great game that much greater, and unquestionably deserves a long-term, dedicated spot on any fan of this genre’s hard drive.
  2. GameShark
    100
    A nearly flawless expansion to an already great game.
  3. GameSpy
    100
    Dark Avatar does much more than just add new units or new maps, it revisits the very underpinnings the game itself and adjusts them to make the whole experience richer.
  5. Gaming Nexus
    97
    Dark Avatar is a great expansion to a fantastic franchise. This is the highest score I’ve given, and Dark Avatar earns every point. This is 4X strategy at its finest.
  6. Gamers' Temple
    95
    Stardock has managed to make a great game even better.
  7. PC Gameworld
    95
    This is what every expansion pack should be. Nothing seems arbitrary, and you feel like the folks at Stardock really get what 4X gamers want.
  8. Next Level Gaming
    94
    What can I say, this game is massive, and the expansion adds on even more to the title.
  9. GameSpot
    91
    The new features in Dark Avatar elevate the already superb Galactic Civilizations II to the title of undisputed best turn-based space strategy game on the PC.
  10. Worth Playing
    91
    The A.I. is the most intelligent opposition I have ever seen in a strategy title, and the tech tree is vast enough to offer a plethora of various strategies to employ. The lack of multiplayer is ameliorated by the fact that there are so many options and ways to play the single-player portions.
  11. GamingTrend
    90
    A great game. It’s detailed, well thought out, and planned. It has real science in it. It has real politics in it. It has drama and it has humor.
  12. Da Gameboyz
    90
    One of the best space civ sims ever made.
  13. GamingExcellence
    90
    Truly a superb expansion in the way that it not only refines, but provides a new direction for the gameplay and adds a significant value to the game.
  14. 1UP
    90
    Dark Avatar does what a good expansion pack should -- it makes it tough to imagine ever playing the base game without it. It makes a great game greater, even if its achievements are measured in pinky widths instead of leaps and bounds.
  15. PC Gamer
    90
    Be prepared for a long journey either way because, as compelling as "Dread Lords" was, Dark Avatar will suck strategy game fans into its marvelously intricate and textured universe like light into a black hole. [May 2007, p.64]
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  16. Computer Games Online RO
    90
    Aside from the battle system and the childish battle sounds, Dark Avatar is a complex experience with an excellent replay value, thanks to the multitude of available options and the AI which sports quite a personality.
  17. IGN
    90
    The inclusion of tech-prerequisites for colonization of certain environments is probably the most significant change here but there are plenty of other new features here that force the player into new and interesting situations. That you get some ample improvements in graphics and AI is just icing on the cake.
  18. GameWatcher
    90
    If you’re a fan of Dread Lords, then this expansion should absolutely be on your list to pick up as soon as possible. Go download it, I’ll wait.
  19. FiringSquad
    89
    Above all, compared to almost any 4X game out there, it's the AI that stands out in Galactic Civilizations. It doesn't cheat, except at the highest difficulty levels, and it behaves in believable ways. It exploits weaknesses, it doesn't gang up on the player, and it uses sound strategies.
  20. PC Gamer UK
    89
    It's just the kind of intelligent silliness that's always made GalCiv a joy to play, and worthy of even the most discriminating Space Miner's downtime. [June 2007, p.86]
  21. GameZone
    85
    Part of the fun is the sheer amount of customization available. The game can be short, long, easy or hard, or anywhere in between.
  22. GameDaily
    80
    Dark Avatar still suffers from a few minor issues present in the original game, like non-allied aliens setting up colonies inside a rival faction's solar system without fear of repercussions. However, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
  23. GamesRadar+
    80
    The best stories are the ones that you craft as you kick butt across the universe. Dark Avatar makes your space operas even more varied in tone and content than ever before.

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best PC Game of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 51
  3. Negative: 8 out of 51
  1. CollinD.
    Jan 10, 2008
    10
    All frustration aside, due to the difficult AI, this is a great game. If you have the patience to actually build yourself a space
  2. sdawe16
    Nov 2, 2010
    9
    this game is a hell of alot of fun it didn't take me long to get into it, my favorite raCe is the humans (weird huh) but i'm here to reviewthis game is a hell of alot of fun it didn't take me long to get into it, my favorite raCe is the humans (weird huh) but i'm here to review the game so you want to know what it's like then .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... play it… Full Review »
  3. KyleT.
    Jan 13, 2008
    9
    I Think that this is one of the best expansions to come out in a while, even beating my all time favorite, Half-life: Opposing Force in terms I Think that this is one of the best expansions to come out in a while, even beating my all time favorite, Half-life: Opposing Force in terms of new content. There are enough new features and gameplay improvements that Stardock could have realesed this as a full blown sequel, and it would not have been considered more of the same. It even manages to improve the amazing AI from the original, which i thought was impossible. The only reason I don't give it a 10 is the lack of multiplayer. Civilization 4 found a fun solution to TBS multiplayer, and so should Gal Civ II.… Full Review »
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