UGO Review arrives..

http://www.ugo.com/channels/games/features/galacticcivilizations2/review.asp
from GalCiv2 Forums

The reviews of Galactic Civilizations II are starting to come in.

One of the first out of the gate it the UGO review which reviewed 1.0D of the game.

It gives a pretty thorough run down of the pluses and minuses of the game and concludes with:

Simply put, Galactic Civilizations II is easily the best turn-based strategy game set in space we've had in years, and deserves mention with the big names in its category as a must-have for anyone who's dreamt of taking over the universe.

11,426 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Congrats to the Stardock team! I am a long-time MOO fanatic (MOO1 > MOO2 > 0 > MOO3) and was quickly taken with Galciv I when it was released. However, I soon realized that it did not have the depth of the MOOs and was more like an early Civ.

But GC2 is a much, much better game. This is probably the best space 4X since MOO2 and maybe since MOO1. Not just in the quality and playability, but with the innovative features!
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
After finishing my first metaverse game, I'm having a lot more fun with it too. It's been keeping my attention pretty well. Too bad it's not supportd by x-fire yet to show everyone else how much I play it
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I find myself wanting to read reviews and see what others think. I am also lurking in Gamespot site and found several ecstatic reviews.. My favorite one said "It's hard to call a game a classic three days after its release, but... " Other links to other sites reviews revealed review scores in the 90s out of 100, high 90s, 4.5/5 and wow. I gave it a 10 and definitely have it in the 'now playing' list.

Congratulations on your success Stardock. People are putting it on a pedestal with MOO and CIV. Legendary.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I thought this review was quite a bit off. There was virtually no mention of GC2's. AI. Everyone who has played MOO and MOO2 through and through knows how easy it is to dupe the AI, to the point where the tactical mode is a joke.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I totally agree with that. Up til now, M002 was the standard. Now it's time to put it to pasture.
The good thing you can read into it is no comparisons to MOO3. LoL!
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
W000t! All the reviews have been great so far!

I also saw a 90 out of 100 at gamespot, great job guys!
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Great review, rarely to I see one sum up my exact thoughts on a game. I agree with the reviewer on all points. A few minor flaws but overall the best X4 game ever.

Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Gamespot gave the game a glowing review too - very high praise. Forget the number, the reviewer genuinely enjoyed the game!

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/galacticcivilizations2/review.html?sid=6145309
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I found this comment curious:
"To me, removing this element of tactics depletes the game somewhat, even if the overall goal was to focus on a grand strategic approach. Personally, there are plenty of times in games like Rome: Total War when I would just let the computer decide the outcome based on stats, but it'd be nice to be able to feel like my keen tactical expertise could help my civ pull victory from the jaws of defeat in certain cases. Maybe, in the future, that kind of thing just doesn't happen any more. Sigh"

The total war games are great to be sure, but other then that they have little in common with galciv2. RTW IS a tactical combat game with some stratigic elements and skipping the tactical element will make you lose more units so you almost have to play the tactical part everytime there is a serious battle. If tactical combat were implemented as a feature in galciv2 I can't see it as being anymore then the cheesefest that was tactical combat in MOO3. Basically I'm saying that for tactical combat to be done right it has to be a primary focus from day one and it leads to a different style of game.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/galacticcivilizations2/review.html?sid=6145309

Gamespot reviewed GC2 as a 9.0 out of 10.0. Apparently they didnt like the music. ( personally i like gc2 music )
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
to strike that balance between complexity and fun


That's it in a nutshell. For instance SEIV is a well conceived game but it is like playing around with the MS Access program. They have pushed the envelope on complexity with not a thought to making the game more fun.

Stardock has the right idea and I hope that the apparent success of this game will fund even bigger and better projects in the future

Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
To their credit, however, Stardock seems fanatically dedicated to tweaking and improving their game, interacting fervently with fans in the forums ....

Amen