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There's another maybe big name in space games called like Galactic Civilizations II or something I keep seeing here and there all over.   Is that like a good game or just another civ type micromanagement game?

ORIGINAL: SS Hauptsturmfuhrer

There's another maybe big name in space games called like Galactic Civilizations II or something I keep seeing here and there all over.   Is that like a good game or just another civ type micromanagement game?

Some people think civ type micromanagement games ARE good games! Regardless, Galciv 2 (particularly with the excellent expansions), is the best in the sc-fi '4X' genre by a country mile IMHO. The only one that's anywhere near as good is Sword of the Stars (also with expansions). You might enjoy SotS more of the two, I suspect, it's a lot more of a 'wargame in space' than Galciv 2 is. Both, though, are superior to both MoO 2 (sorry guys, but I don't operate on nostalgia) and the patched-up MoO 3.

I have Galciv 2 and it is a great game.   Not really into SotS-I have it also.

Cool.  I'll poke around on Gamespot and research those 2 games.  I'm limited with games by the specs cause my computer only has an AMD 2.2 powering it.  

ORIGINAL: SS Hauptsturmfuhrer

Cool.  I'll poke around on Gamespot and research those 2 games.  I'm limited with games by the specs cause my computer only has an AMD 2.2 powering it.  

I don't think either are particularly demanding. You might have to turn down a few graphics options you won't miss anyway.

I have both Gal Civ2 and all expansions, and SotS and all expansions. If you like micromanagement go with Gal Civ2. If you want the focus to be more on research and conquest go with SotS.
 
MY preference is SotS by much more than a country mile.
 
 Try the SotS CE demo.....    http://www.worthdownloading.com/game.php?gid=3369

I think you broke even.....Civ. 3 was a turkey to LOL

Madgamer

I read through that site and I found it very funny that they took so long to get it out on the sales floor then all those bugs.....one after another....after another....no matter how much you like something when it is that buggy put it back on the shelf and get on with your life.

Nadganer

I read about both the games you recommended and most probably Sword of the Stars is more to my taste with it's focus on reducing micromanagement and lower system requirements.  However, Gamespot's review on Galactic II is outrageously eulogizing and they claim it has the best AI in any strategy game.  I've always reckoned the series Decisive Battles and Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets held the undisputed title for best strategy AI ever.  I mean like people were switching to PBEM just to get a break from being punished by the AI.  But I haven't played Gal Civs II yet so I can't comment on it's AI, and Gamespot has quite accurate reviews from what I've seen.

The AI in Gal Civ 2 is terrific, and completely customizable.

ORIGINAL: Arctic Blast

The AI in Gal Civ 2 is terrific, and completely customizable.

Okay now I have an itch to try Gal 2 as well as that Sword of the Star game. These space games will provide a nice diversion from my favorite wargaming genre which is obviously WW2.

ORIGINAL: SS Hauptsturmfuhrer

ORIGINAL: Arctic Blast

The AI in Gal Civ 2 is terrific, and completely customizable.

Okay now I have an itch to try Gal 2 as well as that Sword of the Star game. These space games will provide a nice diversion from my favorite wargaming genre which is obviously WW2.

I've always been kinda curious about the Sword of the Stars series, myself. Haven't taken the plunge and picked it up...YET. [:D]

I played Space Emipres II for hours and hours as a kid. Never got the full version though, was limited to Level 5 tech lol.

Heh, I played a free online game called Galaxy Online. I like the concepts, but since it was a free MMO I didnt like the grinding aspects of it. SO I decided to find a single layer game that was similiar. I found Space empires 4 was almost an identical game,....minus the MMO characteristics. Just as I was buying space empires 4 and 5 together I started reading about SotS. So I got the CE demo of it. I found myself playing the SotS demo and not SE4 or 5. So I bougt SotS and its first expansion. After a week, I bought the most recent expansion, and STILL havent played SE 4 or 5 yet. SotS gives me that "one more turn" addiciton that very few games give me lately.

I never tried Sword of the Stars. I see Stardock is selling it for 10 bucks. Hard to go wrong with that price. BTW Gal Civ 2 is on sell there too. Great game!