GALACTIC CIVILIZATIONS II: DREAD LORDS (PC)
After surprising everyone with the first part of Galactic Civilizations, Stardock has taken advantage of the relative success to create a second part that improves and expands his previous work to match the best.
After surprising everyone with the first part of Galactic Civilizations, Stardock has taken advantage of the relative success to create a second part that improves and expands his previous work to match the best.
Since the Masters of Orion there has always been a certain fascination for the 4X special strategy titles (exploration, exploitation, extermination, expansion). The scale of these titles, which must deploy huge scenarios, take into account many variables and host a large capacity of technologies and units to create, is the kind of challenge that only the computerized game can carry out. Another factor to consider is the convenience of being able to play only against the machine, since the 20-hour games are not very easy between humans. It is not a subgenre that enjoys overwhelming popularity, but many like it, more than that, they are passionate and the bar is quite high, which makes it difficult to find new titles.
It is therefore more surprising if Stardock not only has entered the rag, but also made it similar boldness and good work. Since the aforementioned Masters of the Orion had not appeared on the scene a title of space strategy so complete and interesting, but it also manages to overcome in several aspects what already by itself should make many run to the store to acquire this small jewel. The first Galactic Civilization, was a title of authentic old school, brilliant in its approach but very improvable in the technical aspect. With the second part not only there are more options and possibilities, besides an AI as magnificent as Machiavellian, but also have worked on the graphics to achieve an impression more in line with the times.
The idea is simple: you embody a young nation that has just come into contact with the special trip and its alien neighbors; from that moment a whole universe of possibilities opens up in which as leader you must decide the nature and direction of your empire; embark on a journey of domination and space conquest, create a prosperous culture that influences the hearts of the inhabitants of other worlds, build yourself as the leader of a union of civilizations or even reach a technology so sophisticated that it allows you to transcend the limits of time and The matter. Nothing new within the genre but in Galactic Civilizations 2 acquires a spatial relevance thanks to the best Artificial Intelligence created in the genre to date.
There are two main modes of play: a campaign in which you control humans in their confrontation with a hostile race and a free mode. The campaign is interesting, since at first it seems like a good place to learn some of the basics of the game and how to develop your empire step by step; but at a certain moment the difficulty of the camapañía rises many integers to have to face the "enemy in the shade" the Dread Lords, which constitutes a really abusive combat for the player. The other main mode is free play, in which you choose a predetermined race (or create one with the parameters that interest you most) and you embark towards the unknown; in this mode you can set the conditions of victory, the size of the universe (which can be really gigantic),
Graphics and audio
The improvement with respect to the first delivery is evident and not only refers to the universe and the ships, but concerns the entire interface, which have a less intimidating aspect than in the previous occasion. Now the units are not represented by squares, but are perfect representations of your fleet navigating through a two-dimensional space. Its practical utility is questionable, but it is nice to see the dozens of solar systems with their stars and planets, which in turn have moons and satellites. The graphic aspect is the least in a title of this nature, but the work done in this regard is more than welcome.
The most important aesthetic aspect with difference of Galactic Civilizations 2 is the publisher of ships, a real joy for those who always dreamed of creating and designing their own fleet (and for Lego fans in general). As you accumulate technology you will have access to more and better technologies and you can build different types of ships with these pieces. But the interesting thing from the visual point of view is that you have at your disposal dozens of pieces that are only for aesthetic reasons; You are limited in the number of laser cannons or engines that you can incorporate, but you can use all the ailerons, additions and modules that you want and in the way you want, being able to control the position and size on the casing of your basic ship. In this way you can create from stylish huntings of curved lines to authentic mechanical aberrations.
Gameplay
As already mentioned, if there is one aspect that makes GalCiv 2 stand out, it is its brilliant Artificial Intelligence. If you start in "normal" mode you will surely be defeated even if you have experience in the genre, but not because the machine cheats, which never makes them in this title, but simply because it is designed to play really well. The key to achieving this is that the AI really understands what it sees, it is not prefixed to do this or that, but it observes what is around it and processes it in a way that one can 'imagine' what it's happening For example, imagine that you establish good relations with your neighbor, give them gifts and share technology, but at the same time accumulate a remarkable force of attack on their borders; at a level of difficulty under your adversary he will address you and mock you, explaining that he knows perfectly what you intend and that he only allows it because his "intelligence service" is bad. Effectively, increase the level of "intelligence service" and check how the machine disrupts all your strategies, even when you achieve a position of clear superiority.
Diplomacy is fundamental, from the beginning a moral system that marks your actions is established; Throughout the game you must make decisions that set the tone of your empire: benevolent, neutral or evil. The other empires will have more or less harmony with you depending on your attitude; but you must also take care of many commercial, diplomatic and military elements, one-dimensional strategies are useless since the enemy will always adapt to your movements as you check your progress, so you must plan strategies that surprise the machine.
It is not a complicated title to understand in appearance, but it is highly recommended to take a look at the tutorials in the form of video and pay attention to the things that the machine does in your first games. There are many aspects that do not work exactly the way you would expect, so it is important to learn things about production, placement of structures, ships and orbital stations. At first it may seem a little civilization in space and you may feel tempted that you have mastered it beforehand, but you have to insist once again that it has many unique and unique elements, plus a more elaborate diplomatic system.
When it comes to fighting everything depends on the planning and not on your strategist skills. If you fight in space everything depends on the qualities of your ship (offensive capacity, type of weapons, energy barriers, shell ...), if fighting for the conquest or defense of the planet, depends on the number of soldiers you carry in your Assault ship and the previous measures that you have developed before the conquest (among other tactical macabre, you can create technology that makes the level of the seas of a planet rise exponentially, ending part of the defenses and infrastructures and thus facilitate the work ). In none of the cases can you control or directly affect combat.
The tree of development is extensive and varied, with extensive ramifications and several different categories that will mark your style of play; The only problem maybe is that each investigation is not as interesting as it could be, some developments are quite boring and force us to go through little useful research until we reach something that is worthwhile. In spite of this it is a really extensive tree and in which you can perfectly look for your style of game.
conclusion
Galactic Civilizations II may be a modest development title that does not feature spectacular graphics, even in comparison to Civilization IV (which is noticeable at first view that is a title with greater budget) but that is a very unimportant factor in a genre where what really matters is what is inside. AI by itself already makes this title a dream come true for lovers of 4X strategy games. It is certainly a difficult game in many ways but never tricky or unfair, your adversaries never do anything that you can not do and there lies your grace. The possibilities offered by diplomacy and the options at your disposal create a simply essential title in the genre. It is not unbeatable, since it would not come more of a more impressive visual presentation, a greater clarity in the interface (although it has improved a lot with respect to the first part) and a multiplayer mode in the same vein as the excellent work done in this field with Civilization IV (it would be fun to compete with other players, each with its own design of ships). But they are minor details that do not tarnish a masterful work. Excellent AI A complex system of diplomacy Multiple options and game possibilities Clear interface The design system ships Translated into Spanish and with a good price since it would not come more of a more impressive visual presentation, a greater clarity in the interface (although it has improved a lot with respect to the first part) and a multiplayer mode in the same vein as the excellent work done in this field with Civilization IV ( it would be very fun to compete with other players, each with its own design of ships). But they are minor details that do not tarnish a masterful work. Excellent AI A complex system of diplomacy Multiple options and game possibilities Clear interface The design system ships Translated into Spanish and with a good price since it would not come more of a more impressive visual presentation, a greater clarity in the interface (although it has improved a lot with respect to the first part) and a multiplayer mode in the same vein as the excellent work done in this field with Civilization IV ( it would be very fun to compete with other players, each with their own design of ships). But they are minor details that do not tarnish a masterful work. Excellent AI A complex system of diplomacy Multiple options and game possibilities Clear interface The design system ships Translated into Spanish and with a good price greater clarity in the interface (although it has improved a lot with respect to the first part) and a multiplayer mode in the same vein as the excellent work done in this field with Civilization IV (it would be very fun to compete with other players, each with its own own design of ships). But they are minor details that do not tarnish a masterful work. Excellent AI A complex system of diplomacy Multiple options and game possibilities Clear interface The design system ships Translated into Spanish and with a good price greater clarity in the interface (although it has improved a lot with respect to the first part) and a multiplayer mode in the same vein as the excellent work done in this field with Civilization IV (it would be very fun to compete with other players, each with its own own design of ships). But they are minor details that do not tarnish a masterful work. Excellent AI A complex system of diplomacy Multiple options and game possibilities Clear interface The design system ships Translated into Spanish and with a good price
The best
- The design system ships
- Excellent IA
- Clear interface
- Multiple options and game possibilities
- Translated into Spanish and with a good price
- A complex system of diplomacy
Worst
- Some aspects and bonuses are not fully explained
- Little ambitious graphically
- A well-made multiplayer would be interesting
Game of remarkable finish that we will enjoy and remember. A good purchase, highly recommended for lovers of the genre. It is well cared for at all levels.