convince me to buy this game...

...and answer me lots of questions!

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi! :)

I'm a Civ4 player, and while I was browsing on CivFanatics.com WWW Link, in the forum section Other Games, I've found the Galactic Civilization II game. I suddenly got interested and searched game info. After reading the GalCiv2Wiki, after downloading and playing the Demo and after viewing some cool ship designs in the CivFanaticsCenter (aka CFC), I ended up in this forum and registered!

I want to buy this game but I want to make some questions clear.

If anyone out there plays Civ (better Civ4, even better Civ4 Beyond the Sword (aka BtS) and yet even better, also posts on CivFanatics (of course such 'perfection' isn't needed! :LOL: )), can tell me the major and bigger differences between Civilization 4 and Galactic Civilization II, I would really appreciate it!

1. If anyone knows the difference between this game and Civ4 BtS' mod Final Frontier (aka FF), please answer them to me!
Don't tell me basic stuff like "there are aliens in this game", "some planets are inhabitable in this game" or "there are no supernovas or black-holes in this game"; I also know the basics!
(BTW, there a demo of Civ4 BtS where the player can play the first 100 turns of FF; though in that version it was a few errors, and you're always playing in the same map with the same civ against the same civs, it worths to try! (in BtS full version you can even choose the star system density and other cool stuff!)
See the download mirrors in this CFC's thread:
WWW Link
(BTW, ThunderFall is our Administrator and Jon Shafer is the FF creator/modder)


2. Do I need the Dread Lords to play the Twilight of Arnor like I need Civ4 to play BtS?


3. Can I play/buy it in an 'ordinary' CD? It's because my brother right next to me will also play it in his computer, and following your rules, if I do that, I wouldn't be able to patch at least one of the computers. Can I, with an 'ordinary' CD, use the method I use with all other games (like Civ4, for example) that consists in putting the CD in the drive, run it, remove it, put it in my brother's drive, run it, remove it and putting it back in my computer's drive again (with everything just working fine)?


4. Can I play alone (with no AIs or human players)? And infinitively (with no victories allowed / till I get bored)?


5. What's it's price? Do you guarantee me if I buy it here instead of in E-Bay or any other website; it will be cheaper here?


6. Can I create a Map? And edit one? And change it in mid of a game with immediate changes?
(Civ4 allows every of it, with the World Builder (aka WB)! )


PS: It won't hurt no one of you to also post in the WWW Link (CivFanaticsForums aka CFF) forum! It's a great community! (BTW, I'm GarbageinHere)

And one more thing: CivFanatics rocks!!! :CONGRAT:


Off-Topic: Your forum needs greatly improvement! There's no 'Avatar List', no 'Preview Post' (mine is "disabled", why?) and no 'WYSIWYG feature (aka WhatYouSeeIsWhatYouGet)' ?!?
9,614 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I think you might scare everyone off with such a huge and detailed list of requests and requirements :) I'm not even going to try to answer, except to say that I've played all the Civ games (and SMAC) and like GalCiv II better than any of them. TA requires GalCiv Gold (or DL plus the DA expansion). Even in beta I think TA contains more new content than all the Civ expansions I've seen put together.

However, if you like BTS then you might find GalCiv's diplomacy the most limited part of the game. I'm more of a Warlords kind of guy.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
5. What's it's price? Do you guarantee me if I buy it here instead of in E-Bay or any other website; it will be cheaper here?


Just the opposite. You may find it cheaper in a store than online. It is sold at the full retain price online so as not to compete and take away business from the stores.

And buying it from E-bay or the like is not a good idea. If that serial number has already been registered, and the seller does not give you the account info so you can change who it is registered to, you will be left with a base copy of the game that can not be updated.
Never by it used.
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1. Final Frontier is a mod on the Civ game. How you build in Galciv vs say, BTS is entirely different. Some planets are just "better" then others. Also there's a lot more variety in building then in FF/BTS.

2. Yes, and Dark Avatar. There's a combo pack out there that will save you some money.
It's worth the $70 total it likely costs. TA is 30, I think the DL/DA combo is 40. You can also buy stardock tokens and get it cheaper that way as well, or get a free game + the whole thing for $70. Not a fan of tokens since it's a pre-pay system, but in your case it's worth it. I think it's going to be 8 or 9 tokens total (you get 10 for $70), so you could grab a free 1 or 2 token game to boot)

3. You can DL the game directly, or have it mailed to you. If you want to play an someone else's computer, just burn the game and play it. Stardock doesn't have any copy protection that would prevent doing that. Stardock hates CD-checks. Besides, you should have cracked BTS by now if you haven't to play it without the disk (I don't advocate cracking games to pirate, but I do cracking games once you bought them.)

4. Don't know the first part- never tried. There is no MP though. The game ends when it ends. There's no time limit, so yes you can play until you win.

5. Games bought from E-Bay cannot be patched- that's part of SD's copy protection scheme(used games can be played buy SDC won't accept it for patching unless you have their SDC account as well). Better to buy from Stardock correct, and preferably by direct download (if you pay S&H they'll give you CDs though- used to be free of charge unsure if it still is) No need to have the CDs unless your internet connection is real slow.

6. Yes, Yes, and unknown.

As for the forum, well- my biggest complaint about Stardock is the confusing and mediocre forum system. That should say a lot about the game, since I'm not complaining about that. As for my opinions on BTS- it's a good game- if you install the player-created unofficial mod. The fact that such a mod isn't needed for SD games should say something about the quality of the game as well. (Generally, the complaints about GC series is more "there isn't enough" then "there are errors and bugs". This is the pros and cons of an application program maker using that approach for games I think. TA is changing that- if you get GC, go all the way and get both expansions, or stop at DL.)
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
As for the forum, well- my biggest complaint about Stardock is the confusing and mediocre forum system.
End of quote
I've experienced quite a few custom forum systems and none of them have been anywhere near as good as a regular vbulletin type forum. There are some wheels that don't need to be re-invented.

Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
3. Can I play/buy it in an 'ordinary' CD? It's because my brother right next to me will also play it in his computer...
End of quote


You can download the latest patch for multiple computers. You know, one for your desktop at home, one for your labtop, that sort of stuff. I don't think stardock would object if your brother downloads and plays too.

Stardock doesn't have CD copyright protection stuff to try to increase customers, not reduce illegal pirating. The pirates are always going to find a way to hack stuff, so might as well not scare away potential customers.

________________
In any case, you can probally talk to one of these guys if you want CDs.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
convince me to buy this game...
End of quote


Buying this game will put hair on your chest.*

*Buying this game may not produce hair growth on one's chest.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
convince me to buy this game...


Buying this game will put hair on your chest.*

*Buying this game may not produce hair growth on one's chest.
End of quote


lolz

this is a good game, theres alot more numbers in it though, so if you wanna be a hardcore gamer, bring a calculater (if not disregarde that last comment)
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top


2. Do I need the Dread Lords to play the Twilight of Arnor like I need Civ4 to play BtS?
End of quote


My understanding is to play TA you need both the original game (Dread Lords) and the 1st expansion (Dark Avatar).



4. Can I play alone (with no AIs or human players)? And infinitively (with no victories allowed / till I get bored)?

End of quote


I've not come across this, however playing with one opponent in the easyiest mode would be a pretty similar experience to playing alone! ;)



5. What's it's price? Do you guarantee me if I buy it here instead of in E-Bay or any other website; it will be cheaper here?

End of quote


Not sure about what prices are avalible where however... a bit of product awareness may save you some money. There is a combined pack with DL&DA if that takes your fancy. Additionally TA is hotting up quite nicely so you may want to put that on your Christmas list too :)

A word of warning about second hand games.

WWW Link
(you'll need to scroll up to the OP as I can't quite workout how to link to it)


I'm kind of new around here so that's the best I can do. Hope it's of some help.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well I play a fully expanded Civ4 and GalCiv 2 so I get the best of both worlds. (Mwa ha ha ha!)

That aside, the Final Frontier mod is a great mod but it doesn't compare with this game at all. For one thing you can design your own ships and that, if I remember correctly, was one of the prime factors that sold DL to me.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The game ends when it ends. There's no time limit, so yes you can play until you win.
End of quote


I mean with no victories. For example, if I whip everyone else on the galaxy and win by conquest, can I do what I do in Civ: "Wait! Just... one... more... turn... !" ?

Thanks guys!
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The game ends when it ends. There's no time limit, so yes you can play until you win.


I mean with no victories. For example, if I whip everyone else on the galaxy and win by conquest, can I do what I do in Civ: "Wait! Just... one... more... turn... !" ?

Thanks guys!
End of quote


Sadly, no you can't. Once you achieve a victory the game ends and it's time to start a new game. If you're careful, you can "preserve" at least one other faction for a long time, as long as it is a major galactic civilization, and not a minor power.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The game ends when it ends. There's no time limit, so yes you can play until you win.



I mean with no victories. For example, if I whip everyone else on the galaxy and win by conquest, can I do what I do in Civ: "Wait! Just... one... more... turn... !" ?
End of quote


its hard to compare civ4 to galciv2 on this because civ4 has a turn limit(that can be altered somewhat), but I usually play gigantic galaxies with abundant everything and 9 opponents and i've had these games drag on for 4-6 weeks with constant play almost everyday, and now in TA you can play in immense galaxies which are the largest, but you'll need at least +2gb of ram, and preferably a dual core processor or better, this game can be alot more intensive than it looks!

Ps I own Civ4 BTS and Galciv2 DA/TAbeta, Galciv is a better game though i like BTS espionage system better.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
convince me to buy this game......and answer me lots of questions!
End of quote


The tone of your post is rather condescending and demanding.

A bit of advice, and an old cliché: "You will attract more flies with honey than you will with vinegar."

Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Same thing I was thinking LogicSequence. We love the game and have a lot of reasons for doing so. Be that as it may, there is no reason to believe that you'll enjoy it for all the same reasons. Play the Demo and take a leap of faith.

I have all the Civs on this computer and haven't played any of them since getting GC2 nearly a year and a half ago, so I like most on this forum will be probably be biased in that manner. There are others that like Civ4 better though, so it just a case of personal preference.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah, not going to bother to answer all the questions, but I have Civ4 fully expanded, and GalCiv2 fully expanded...and well I don't play Civ4 - I'm either modding this game for the Star Trek mod, or I'm playing the stock game, either its always more fun than anything I had in Civ4. ESPECIALLY when playing stock and I can design my own ships.

While you will see people complain about things in the game and how "I can't believe the developers did this!" (which I admit i've done)...I can also honestly say I have never seen any developer be as involved in the game, forums, and honestly listening to what peopel are requesting than I have with this game, they aren't perfect, but they are a lot closer than anyone other one I've seen.

Top of that, I've had GalCiv2 for nearly two years, and I'm still playing it, and will always preorder the next expansion as soon as they announce it...and thats saying something...

Top it off, its one of the easist games to mod, which allows for things like:

- SciFi favorite Mods (Star Trek, Star Wars, Star Gate, Hitchhikers, etc)
- Go to the Mod section and take a look around
- https://forums.galciv2.com/?forumid=348

- Mods giving you nearly limitless access to ship part creation which will allow you to build some bad a$$ looking ships
- Look here to see ships that you could potentially build this thread contains actual ships designed in game by players
- https://forums.galciv2.com/?forumid=162&aid=143307#1380735


Modders working on the weapons and making them look so good they actually are accepted by the developer and placed into an expansion pack
- Look here
- https://forums.galciv2.com/?forumid=348&aid=145322#1329664


People starting up their own Modding community in hopes of making basically another CivFanatics just so they can help people mod this game other hopefully other games
- I-Mod
- https://forums.galciv2.com/?forumid=348&aid=141281#1377227

This game is worth spending the money for, but don't be a wuss about it, go all out and get all three expansion packs, you'll be happy you did.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am somewhat active on CivFanatics (my handle there is Warpstorm)

Well, I play GalCiv2 more than I do BTS by a large margin.

1. Too many to answer. It'd be shorter to say they are both Civ-like games in space. I like Trip's work (hi Trip, say hi to your new boss Steve for me), but I like GalCiv more.

2. I think so.

3. I don't have a CD of it, but then again you don't need one. I have this installed on all of my computers.

4. Why? I've never tried, but I don't think so. As long as games can go (I usually have them last longer than a few weeks), I am usually ready to do a new map.

5. If you buy it over e-bay it is likely that the game has already been registered and won't allow you to get updates.

6. Yes, yes, and I don't think so.
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
A bit of advice, and an old cliché: "You will attract more flies with honey than you will with vinegar."
End of quote


the sad part of that metaphor is that you'll attract even more flies with bull s**t -- and looking at the game industry as a whole, it seems to be true.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

The game ends when it ends. There's no time limit, so yes you can play until you win.


I mean with no victories. For example, if I whip everyone else on the galaxy and win by conquest, can I do what I do in Civ: "Wait! Just... one... more... turn... !" ?

Thanks guys!


Sadly, no you can't. Once you achieve a victory the game ends and it's time to start a new game. If you're careful, you can "preserve" at least one other faction for a long time, as long as it is a major galactic civilization, and not a minor power.
End of quote


Actually you can, just turn off conquest victory.

Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Actually you can, just turn off conquest victory.
End of quote


no you can't. unless something's changed in the last week and a half.