Galactic Civilizations 2: Endless Universe (PC)

turn based games are my favourite games, this is very good, similar to civilization 4 but set in outer space.

An excellent game; plenty of decisions to make about research paths and which planets to colonise and enough ways to win that you can easily change your mind part way through the game, start off going for a diplomatic solution then get bored and decide to crush them under your heel if you want. The harder levels will give anyone a run for their money!

The GALACTIC CIVILIZATIONS series in effect has kept the classic Turn-based Strategy genre alive. When the CIVILIZATION series was going to the dogs (all flashy animations and dummied-down options instead of evolving) and the MASTER OF ORION series was committing seppuku (unable to live with the shame of its 3rd installment), GC reminded us how much fun space colonization can be!Starting off with a planet in a customizable Universe (size, resource abundance, scarcity of habitable planets etc), one begins his journey of exploration, colonization and conquest. With the exception of roving pirates who can be destructive if encountered early on (but whose annoyance can be deselected), the factions are well balanced and interesting.The graphics are clear (with full zoom capability), whereas the interface is easy to master and friendly to use.However, what makes GC so much more fun than any other space colonization game is its ship design options. From freighters and colonist-ships to planet defenders and frigates, there are no limits in what one can build in your dockyard. Want something that looks like STAR TREK's Enterprise, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Vipers or STAR WARS' Millennium Falcons? Easily done - the sky is the limit.Research will not only keep you solvent and your people happy but it will also make it possible to better equip your ships. Stronger engines, more effective armor, more destructive weapons.This edition is a standalone expansion version (the original game is not required) and it comes with new units, new maps, new scenarios and two whole new campaigns.And, on top of everything, this being a STARDOCK release, it comes FREE of any intrusive DRM scheme. These days, that alone deserves gamers' support. How much more so that GALACTIC CIVILIZATIONS II is a great game. Having said that, the new patching method is neither convenient nor reliable and I hope the STARDOCK people will see to that promptly. Besides this small shortcoming,HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Superb 4X strategy game from Stardock, who continue to improve it and who also host a thriving player community.Be warned, this is a specific compilation of Dark Avatar and Twilight of Arnor and doesn't include the original campaign from the first release of GalCiv 2., however that's no real loss as the original game was fundamentally changed with patches to make it better but the campaign got a little borked in the process. What's offered by way of the two expansions is all you really need.No multiplayer but brilliant singleplayer experience.

One of the better strategy games. Good price tooI didnt play campaign so i felt it lacked charactaer as a result. But a mod of something im more familiar with would have compensated for that ( or playing through campaign!!)