Galactic Civilizations III Reviews
More of a refresh than expected, but still hands down the best modern way to conquer unknown space.
Other minor issues aside, such as a need to develop the game's rather basic fleet management UI and a somewhat crippling arbitrary penalty that makes large-scale empire administration more of a chore than it should be, the game is well deserving of the GalCiv name and offers enough in the way of traditional features and modern scalability to secure the series' place at the very top of the 4X tech tree - if not for the five years that Stardock intend to adapt and add to the game, then at least until the next 4X game comes along in a few days time.
Galactic Civilizations 3 doesn't re-invent the wheel, but it delivers a top-notch, highly customizable 4X experience.
Different races, ship customization, and disparate methods of victory and progression make your choices meaningful, leading to an essential experience for strategy-game enthusiasts
The Galactic Civilizations series has returned with more ships, bigger maps, and new ways to explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate.
Galactic Civilizations III is better than Beyond Earth (especially at release), but in this ever improving genre you have to come up with your best shot at launch and, if you want to sell DLC, build on top of that in engaging ways. This genre is one of high replayability and hundred hour games so your product has to challenge last year's fully DLCed 4x games in a substantive way to merit the kind of investment in time, intellectual energy and money that these games require.
Despite my uncertainty about some of the specifics, it's a game that has me firmly in its clutches and I'm happy to be there. Maybe it's a hug rather than a clutch.
Given how complex GalCiv3's overlapping systems are, getting good at the game can become quite a daunting task, but it's worth it. Few games offer the same sense of flexibility and depth that this game has.
Only a minor improvement on the last game, but still a hugely accomplished space strategy game – with an almost infinite range of customisation options.
With very few drawbacks and some very interesting game modes still coming, this game is going to be a life suck. Whether it be campaign, multiplayer or simply an 'insane' size map and all the races including the ones you create, you will really enjoy throwing whole days away on galactic domination.
A good game marred by bugs and lack of documentation. Once it is fixed it should be back on top but it does not justify a higher score.
I worried that, after years of playing its predecessor and all of its expansions, I would be too familiar with Galactic Civilizations III. I worried that I'd get a bit tired of it too quickly. This hasn't remotely been the case. I'm hooked in the same way I was with the last game, and not because it's stayed the same, but because it's managed to strike that balance between the comfortingly familiar and the refreshingly new.
Galactic Civilizations III stays the course on the strong path laid by Galactic Civilization II— at times to a fault. The tactical, political wheeling-and-dealing action is more streamlined than ever before, but outside of a few relatively small changes the core gameplay is essentially the same.
Galactic Civilizations III is more of the same with some nice upgrades and a handful of new features, and I have no complaints about that. A great starting point for new players, and an even nicer reason to take up an old addiction for veterans.
It innovates from prior games in the series, and is undeniably fun, but Galactic Civilizations III isn't the clear leader in a packed genre.
Galactic Civilizations 3 is a constantly rewarding experience, a colossal box of toys with which you can create some truly memorable stories. It's the embodiment of the 'just one more click' cliché, a game that can have you jumping on intending for a few turns, only for you to come to your senses hours later, eyes bleary and unfocused, but that new armada of elerium-shielded warships ready to roll over your unsuspecting enemies.
Galactic Civilizations 3 is a solid turn-based strategy with a great potential. Unfortunately, right now it just doesn't do enough to surpass its predecessors and distinguish itself from competitors. It's a good game, sure – but it does feel like an enhanced remake of Galactic Civilizations 2 rather than a full-fledged sequel.
Galactic Civilizations III is a great game, containing a mix of familiar mechanics and new ideas that can keep both fans and newcomers occupied for a frighteningly long period of time.
Galactic Civilizations III is a great rebuild of a great series. The game is much bigger, multiplayer is here to stay, and the ship designer will keep some players occupied for hours. Is it missing a few features from previous entries? Sure, but GalCiv III is still worth your time and money.