GalCiv 2 General Quests (Requirements & Gameplay Qs)

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hey all.

Just thought I'd try to get some info about Galactic Civ 2 before I make the plunge and buy it tommorow (if I do).

Anyways, a few questions:

Spec wise, I know it requires a 600mhz/128mb ram/64mb ram v-card. Is there ANYWAY I can get around the 64mb V-card? Mine has 32megs. It's a 1.2ghz athlon, and it seems like the specs are fairly normal for an older game, but the video card is kinda high compared to everything else. My computer is recently formatted with tons of space and has little or no issues with lag on anything whatsoever.

Also, a few questions about the gameplay in general:

I'm a huge fan of space sims, how does this compare with Space Empires IV, Imperium Galactica, Pax Imperia, Master of Orion, ect? I assume it's fantastic compared to them, but how open ended is it?

I know there are 6-ish sizes of maps, how many star systems and light years big/wide is the largest map? IMO, I'm hoping that it's disgustingly huge.

What kind of micromanagment is required in each system/planet/ect?

What can I expect in terms of realilism when it comes to solar systems? IE, spectral classes, planet classes, are there colonizable moons (if so, are there multiple moons?), asteroid belts, ect, ect, ect.

Tons of other questions, but it seems that most other stuff I can figure out.

Hope to get a responce before I consider going to Best Buy to pick up the gold edition.
6,985 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Spec wise, I know it requires a 600mhz/128mb ram/64mb ram v-card. Is there ANYWAY I can get around the 64mb V-card? Mine has 32megs. It's a 1.2ghz athlon, and it seems like the specs are fairly normal for an older game, but the video card is kinda high compared to everything else. My computer is recently formatted with tons of space and has little or no issues with lag on anything whatsoever.


The game actually has quite a bit of 3d rendering in it. I'm not an expert on it, but my guess would be that it probably wouldn't work.

I'm a huge fan of space sims, how does this compare with Space Empires IV, Imperium Galactica, Pax Imperia, Master of Orion, ect? I assume it's fantastic compared to them, but how open ended is it?


I used to be pretty heavily into MOO, and this compares very well. It is definitly a differant game, but IMO it is far more open ended then MOO or MOO2 were. Winning in MOO basic consisted of killing everyone, killing the Antareans/Guardian, or winning in the Senate. The first two just meant you needed the bet military. The third usually required a military force to gain the votes.

However, in GalCiv you can win a game without ever firing a shot (I've done so once). Three of the four ways to win don't neccesitate any military force (though it does help) beyond a token military to prevent being picked on.

What can I expect in terms of realilism when it comes to solar systems? IE, spectral classes, planet classes, are there colonizable moons (if so, are there multiple moons?), asteroid belts, ect, ect, ect.


Planets are handled (in the expansion) by type and class. Types are normal, heavy gravity, toxic, radioactive, and aquatic. Normal are able to be settled at any time, the otehrs require research. The planet class determines how much of the planet is usable, thus affecting the amount of infrastructure that can be placed on it, and it's maximum population. Without the expansion pack you lose teh planet types, but classes remain. Realism is secondary to gameplay, and moons cannot be colonized.

What kind of micromanagment is required in each system/planet/ect?


That all really depends. Once you set up the initial colony, it mainly runs it's self (upgrading when needed). However, if the planet can be "improved" by terraforming techs (which raise the planet class, and thus open more space up for use), you will have to go back in and designate what to put in the new areas. You may need to tweakthings as you go to maximize results (although this becomes less of an issue as you get used to the game, and anticipate what will be needed before hand).

I know there are 6-ish sizes of maps, how many star systems and light years big/wide is the largest map? IMO, I'm hoping that it's disgustingly huge.


On the largest setting, you can have hundreds of planets out there (or so I'm told, I've never maximiezed the planet settings, as I like my maps to have a more empty space feel). The largest map, with the best engines, can easily take a normal warship ten to fifteen turns to cross from end to end, (this is a rough guess, as I've never tried a straight end to end flight, I usually stop in between to invade places).

I hope this helps some!
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Feud pretty much covered it all, i will say though, on a gigantic map with maxed out planets and other civs, even a 64mb card will have trouble, it'll work sure, but it will lag. For a better game experience i would go for a 128mb card and increase your page file to at least 2gig if you have the space. If buying a new card go bigger again, i'm running the 7600gt 256mb and it is really sweet. If you can hold back from the big maps and plenty of planets for a while your 64mb card should hold out till you upgrade.

Of course i would buy the gold edition, original game plus Dark Avatar expansion. You won't regret your purchase, i never play the MOO series anymore.

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi!
Is there ANYWAY I can get around the 64mb V-card? Mine has 32megs.

Until very recently I've played without problems on my old comp with 1GHz P-III with 896MB RAM and Radeon 8500LE with 64MB. However I have to clarify, that I played EXCLUSIVELY in "strategic" (zoom-out) mode (all ships, planets... displayed as icons). If I occasionaly zoomed in, my frame rate dropped to ~2FPS. Now I have slightly better hardware, but am still most of the time in "strategic" mode.

BR, Iztok
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Is there ANYWAY I can get around the 64mb V-card? Mine has 32megs.


It's worth noting that this most likely means you have an unsupported video card, which even if it runs the game will cause graphic issues (beyond just performing poorly).

You can find more detailed information about what video cards are supported here.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Is the demo version of DL still available for download? Unfortunately I cannot go to the GalCiv site from work...have to connect via Stardock forums...

If so, try the demo...that will give you a hint at what the game is all about, and you can see if your card will run it.

My personal view is that you should buy it, it's a great game - probably the best 4x game I have played, and one of, if not the best space themed 4x games...(I have a soft spot for the original StarFlight, but that was 15+ years ago....)

128MB vid cards are very cheap these days if you don't want to spend a lot of money, and should handle the game fine if they are on the supported list. Of coarse, a newer, better card will cost more in the short run but will provide many more years of use and may be cheaper in the long run.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Is the demo version of DL still available for download?


It doesn't look like galciv2.com is hosting it anymore, but you can still obtain it from Fileshack .

-HM