Galactic Civilizations II Ultimate Edition

by Stardock

Product Features

• State of the art 3D engine enables users to create their own ships from scratch!
• New maps, units and scenarios
• New playable civilizations
• Enhanced graphics and soundtrack
• New maps, scenarios, planet environments and events

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001O50TOW
• Item Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Media: DVD-ROM
• Release Date: February 10, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,408 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition includes the best-selling and award-winning space strategy game Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords and the two AddOns Dark Avatar and Twilight Of The Arnor in one comprehensive collection! Alternative map sizes and victory tasks Players can now design new starships from the main game menu All game campaigns have been updated to be playable within Twilight of the Arnor New user manual Numerous new game setup options Updated diplomatic options New planetary governors for automating the building of planets Revamped espionage system Auto-building for starbases Balance updating Improved graphics

Control Center View larger.

Alien Spacecraft View larger.

Orbiting Planet Earth View larger.

The Story
In the year 2225, mankind's thirst for domination has spread to the stars, where the battle for conquest rages on. Humans struggle for supremacy over the other Galactic powers, who have their own plans for the cosmos. In Galactic Civilizations II, you will use technology, diplomacy, colonization and war as your tools to build a far-reaching interstellar empire.

Key Game Features:

• All in One- Comes with Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords and both expansions, The Dark Avatar and Twilight of the Arnor
• Spacecraft Customization - State of the art 3D engine enables users to create their own ships from scratch!
• Additional Maps - Experience New maps, units and scenarios
• New playable civilizations
• Enhanced graphics and soundtrack - Experience Galactic Civilization II's new look and feel

Triumph in an Epic Interstellar War
In Galactic Civilizations II The Ultimate Edition, you'll utilize military prowess, technological advancements, economic might and cultural expansions to triumph in an interstellar war. The all-new map system helps you stay in control of your forces, while the 3D engine delivers incredible graphics. Discover why this game has won so many rave reviews and "Game of the Year" accolades as you enter a unique strategy experience.

Product Description

In the year 2225, mankind's thirst for domination has spread to the stars, where the battle for conquest rages on. Humans struggle for supremacy over the other Galactic powers, who have their own plans for the cosmos. In Galactic Civilizations II, you will use technology, diplomacy, colonization and war as your tools to build a far-reaching interstellar empire.
Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition includes the best-selling and award-winning space strategy game Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords and the two AddOns Dark Avatar and Twilight Of The Arnor in one comprehensive collection! Alternative map sizes and victory tasks Players can now design new starships from the main game menu All game campaigns have been updated to be playable within Twilight of the Arnor New user manual Numerous new game setup options Updated diplomatic options New planetary governors for automating the building of planets Revamped espionage system Auto-building for starbases Balance updating Improved graphics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Award-winning for a reason, April 16, 2009

By 

Matthew K. Morgan (Ruther Glen, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Galactic Civilizations II Ultimate Edition (DVD-ROM)

Galactic Civilizations II Ultimate Edition is the latest and best installment of the Galactic Civilizations series, packing in both currently-available expansion packs in addition to the base game. It is a turn-based strategy/conquest game, allowing play to stretch out over days or even weeks. There is a lot to this game, but once you get the hang of how to play this game it is very much worth the time and effort.

To be very clear, this is a turn-based game, not a real-time strategy game or a first-person shooter. If turn-based games do not appeal to you, look elsewhere. If you have not played a turn-based game in the past, it is a different experience from most other games on the market in that the planning and strategizing require thinking in a different way, and this style of play is not something everyone enjoys.

One of the very first things that a player will notice about this game is that the graphics are absolutely stunning. Stardock put an incredible amount of effort and care into the interface, from the menus to the cut scenes. Everything is smooth, seamless and, well, beautiful.

Although the graphics are well-done, the interface is exceptionally complex and busy. The player manages almost every conceivable aspect of the game - economy and tax rate, research direction and funding, relationships with other civilizations, planetary production, fleet composition, trade and more. It is very easy to get lost in the sheer volume of options available.

Gameplay starts with several choices, most importantly race but certainly not the only option. Victory conditions (more on that shortly), universe size, star cluster density, frequency of viable worlds, number of other civilizations, and a few other options are all specified at the start. After making all of these selections, the player gets a single planet, a colony ship, a survey ship and an asteroid miner.

Every turn consists of a number of important choices. The player decides how to allocate all of the resources available and takes steps to better their position, with the ultimate goal of meeting the victory conditions specified at the start. This may include exploration of space junk (there is frequently much benefit to doing so), colonization of a new planet, or perhaps cranking up the tax rate. Once all of the desired options have been selected, the player ends the turn and a new turn begins after all selections have been executed.

One of the most interesting aspects of the game is in designing new ships for the fleet. The player gets to pick hull type, armament, sensors and everything else a ship needs to be a successful contributor. Once a design is complete and named, any starport orbiting the player's planets can build those ships. It is important to keep in mind that some designs may not work well through the entire game but that sometimes a design should be retired in favor of new, more advanced designs.

Gameplay continues until victory conditions are met. There are several conditions that can be specified - military conquest, diplomatic victory (peace treaties with all other major civilizations), technological victory (done through research) or even a cultural invasion.

Every choice a player makes affects something else within the game. For example, higher taxes can cause a planet to mutiny and join a different civilization. More important, though, is how choices affect relations with the other civilizations. Most civilizations pay attention to ethical alignment and military might, and depending on how strong or weak a player's civilization can even incite a war. Finding a good balance is the key, and finding that balance is inherently tough.

As this version comes with both expansion packs, there are three campaigns that are available for play. I have not tried any of these so I cannot really comment on them.

This is a very engrossing game with slick graphics and many, many choices for the gamer who wants absolute control over every aspect of the game. If this style of play is appealing to you, seriously consider picking up a copy for yourself and say goodbye to your free time.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A game so polished you can see yourself in it, February 19, 2009

By 

R. Webb "asandiegan" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Galactic Civilizations II Ultimate Edition (DVD-ROM)

This game is without doubt the best turn based 4X game I have ever played. Allowing me to design and create my own ships with different weapons and defenses made a dream come true.

I began playing video games on a SNES, heck I learned to read by playing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. I've been an avid gamer ever since, and there's no doubt about it Galactic Civilizations 2 is a gem.

If you enjoy strategy games (turn based or RTS) and are not afraid of using your head, try this game out, there's a great demo out there that can give you a taste.

I started with the purchase of the core game, I then bought the expansion Dark Avatar, and then Twilight of the Arnor. I've followed this game for years, and the fact is, I still play it. I've played the same game for years, simply because it has that much to offer.

I'd love to give you an in depth breakdown of how things work, but the game is just that deep. I can't stress enough to try the demo, this game single handedly saved a summer (which always seems to be dry in the quality games category). You can take the galaxy over planet by planet, the next game you may be in a defensive struggle for your life so you can buy your scientists time to achieve a scientific victory. Each game is different, how different is of course up to you.

I liked this game so much that I started pre-ordering other Stardock games such as Sins of a Solar Empire, and all their expansions. Stardock has made a fan out of me simply because of their continuing devotion to their games, and their policy on DRM. They're looking out for me the consumer, and I doubt I can say that about many other software companies if any.

Try the demo, see for yourself. I went for it, and have nothing but good things to say.

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TURN-BASED STRATEGIST HEAVEN!, February 10, 2009

By 

NeuroSplicer (Freeside, in geosynchronous orbit) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Galactic Civilizations II Ultimate Edition (DVD-ROM)

The GALACTIC CIVILIZATIONS series in effect has kept the classic Turn-based Strategy genre alive. When the CIVILIZATION series was going to the dogs (all flashy animations and dummied-down options instead of evolving) and the MASTER OF ORION series was committing seppuku (unable to live with the shame of its 3rd installment), GC reminded us how much fun space colonization can be!

Starting off with a planet in a customizable Universe (size, resource abundance, scarcity of habitable planets etc), one begins his journey of exploration, colonization and conquest. With the exception of roving pirates who can be destructive if encountered early on (but whose annoyance can be deselected), the factions are well balanced and interesting.
The graphics are clear (with full zoom capability), whereas the interface is easy to master and friendly to use.

However, what makes GC so much more fun than any other space colonization game is its ship design options. From freighters and colonist-ships to planet defenders and frigates, there are no limits in what one can build in your dockyard. Want something that looks like STAR TREK's Enterprise, STAR WARS' Millennium Falcon or BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Colonial Vipers? Easily done - the sky is the limit.
Research will not only keep you solvent and your people happy but it will also make it possible to better equip your ships. Stronger engines, more effective armor, more destructive weapons.

And, on top of all that, this being a STARDOCK release, it comes FREE of any intrusive DRM scheme. These days, that alone deserves gamers' support. How much more so that GALACTIC CIVILIZATIONS II is a great game. Its new patching method is neither convenient nor reliable and I hope the STARDOCK people will see to that promptly. Besides this shortcoming,

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!