Why Buy Dark Avatar? I already like Gal CIV2

I have been playing GalCiv2 now for about 8 months. I agree that it is a great game, and will continue to play with or without DA. However, I will purchase DA when it becomes available to the public because I want to expand and enjoy the overall game experience as well as the increasing story line. Besides, some of the changes within DA were ideas originally posted on these very forums.

If you like GalCiv2 DL and think Stardock did a good job with the game, why would you not trust them to make a good expansion?

From what I have read on these forums regarding Dark Avatar, from what my friends tell me who are currently Beta testing the new expansion, and from what the forum regulars tell me... It will be a great addition.

This is the first Stardock game I have ever bought and I am very impressed with their professionalism, ability to make a quality product, and the time they take reading over and answering the questions players have within these forums.

There is my 2 bc.

1. No need to rush-colonize any more.

2. Mega events can actually turn the tides.

3. The AI (I think some mega events are designed for this purpose too) will work together to prevent the late-game-easy-win from us.

4. The improved graphic of the default ships are really pleasing to the eyes.



These make DA much more enjoyable than the original, IMHO. Definitely worths getting. If you like GC2, you can't miss DA.

Is it really worth the 29.95? If so why? I would be interested in what other Gal Civers have to say.

Did you not read the review they posted on the main page a few weeks ago? I forget what gaming site reviewed the expansion, but basically they said it could have been GalCiv III instead of an expansion, due to all the changes.

Is it worth it ? Definitely, run dont walk to get it. I have been on the Beta since it began, and DA is being put together with the customary Stardock attention to detail and listening to Players. In comparison to vanilla GC2, DA is a whole Universe away in terms of functionality and enjoyment. Dont let the term "Expansion Pack" lead you astray, its almost GC3 by another name, the changes are that extensive.

Its a whole new, and far better game, to list the changes and reasons would take far too long here -0 go to the DA Beta Forum/DA change logs if you havent done so already. Its a whole new ball game - if you use classic GC2 game tactics with DA you will be Galactic Toast within the first game year.

Asteroid Mining, Power plants, New Techs, New Combat system, New Civilisations, mega eye candy, improved ship building, Spys/Espionage, many new Planet Level buildings, an end to the classic colony rush (still happens to a degree but a GC newbie would not think so, its more subtle), very large number of AI changes, dozens arguably hundreds of UI changes & tweeks - the list just goes on and on - see the Beta change logs.

Is it perfect - nope, what game is - but its worth every cent of the asking price, you will not be disappointed.

The only caviat I will add (emphasise a comment above), is you will be Galactic Toast if you are determined to play DA in the same "old way" as vanilla GC2. If you are not prepared to adapt and change tactics, then dont bother. However do the latter, and you miss out on a Hell of a Game.

Regards
Zy

DooD! DUDE!! Dark Avatar totally rocks. It roxorz.

DA is totally worth it. It is damn good for an expansion. It raises the bar on what to expect for expansions.

I cannot eloquently put it, but If you own and like GC2. DA will be totally must have it.

One feature I like is being able to build custom races for opponents. This opens a possibility of creating races who use elements of your own gaming style. You could have games where you're basically playing against opponents whose strategies are variations of your own, which could help you find weaknesses in your own style of play.

I'm the first to admit that the "version number boundary" thing is very debatable, but there's no doubt that GCII DL is at least as much an improvement from DA as, say, Windows 98 was from Windows 95 (no insult to GC intended!).

Re the bucks spent, I'd say save your money until your enthusiasm peaks or your familiarity begins to breed contempt. Either way, the DA expansion should satisfy anyone who's thoroughly enjoyed the core GCII DL game.

I'm sorry that we get yet another "operatic" theme song for DA.

What's wrong with opera? I happen to like the music from GC2 very much(maybe i'm just weird).

I've not played the beta for DA but I plan to buy it simply based on all the neat stuff it's gonna' give us.

As the cool kids say, 'nuff said.

-Spencer

i believe it is possible to design your own oppononts in DA, the race you create for yourself (with the abilities that you chose) can also be used to play against you i believe.

also, to the original poster, its worth every penny.
it has tons of new big features.

9 positives out of 9 replies, guess I can't argue with that. Thanks for the input!

Alabrent

Guess I should take my responcibility as Mr Upstream.

First of all,,you have to understand that we are playing a beta game.
That means all experience available is from a rough draft of the final expansion,,and hence not that valuble.

Sure,the ship design now handles templates (meaning you have the base models of your ships constantly available. Just equip with the latest weapons and put in production.)

Also,,you now can chose any improvement you have researched in the past.
No more mandatory Industrial Sectors on your newly colonized planet.
You get a few more improvements too.

Mining asteroid fields? Well,,either I'm just too dumb to see the real usefullness of them,,or they are more of a hype.

So,,why did I buy it?
Because I truly like StarDock,,simple as that.
Started out with a pirate copy of GalCivI,,liked it.
Got my hands on a cracked update patch,,and saw that it was what the StarDock team claimed it to be.
Not merely fixing bugs,,but actually adding to the game.
That alone would have won me over,,but there's more.

If you get a StarDock game,,you don't have to worry about it installing other things supposedly preventing piracy but instead screwing your comp.
(Had to reinstall a comp the other day after SecuROM,,StarForce and NERO got into a serious fight over whom was to control the Sony rootkit lol)

Making a long story short:
From what I've seen so far,,it is not worth 30 dollars.
However,,by the time StarDock is done with it (like 5 years after official release?),,it'll paid it self off by far.