Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 78
  3. Negative: 11 out of 78
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  1. MaxC.
    Mar 30, 2006
    5
    It seems that this game is pretty much decided in the first phase where you have to rush out and grab planets and resources, and then manage the lease burden. If you don't get a good start, forget it. looks very pretty though.
  2. 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 had a dozen corrupt saves already. Test your damn games companies!
  3. ErikM.
    May 2, 2006
    7
    Fantastic fun if you're into turn-based galactic build-and-conquer games, like the old MOO stuff. Gets a bit tedious if not though. Space combat should have been a bit more involved and exciting, instead of just being an afterthought.
  4. Justin
    Sep 16, 2009
    7
    PROS
    This is a great Civilization 4 type game. In many ways it's better, both in the scope and depth. Unit and race customisation allow for an almost infinite combination of game variations. The AI is generally great.
    CONS The interface is badly laid out, the 'tutorials' are little use and the graphics aren't exactly cutting edge. WARNING! IMPULSE, the STEAM    PROS
    This is a great Civilization 4 type game. In many ways it's better, both in the scope and depth. Unit and race customisation allow for an almost infinite combination of game variations. The AI is generally great.
    CONS
    The interface is badly laid out, the 'tutorials' are little use and the graphics aren't exactly cutting edge.
    WARNING!
    IMPULSE, the STEAM clone used to update and register the game is awful. Successfully registering your legitimate GALCIV2 game is mostly down to luck. Otherwise the game would have got 9/10.    … Expand
  5. 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) 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    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) 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

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PC Game of 2006
47
#47 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
87
#87 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. PC Gameworld
    90
    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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  2. Next Level Gaming
    95
    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.
    Read full review
  3. IC-Games
    93
    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.
    Read full review
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