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ESRB: n/a
Platform: PC Games
Category: Strategy
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Graphics 9 |
Sound 9 |
Gameplay 9 |
Tilt 9 ||
Overall 9
Author: Murray G
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All I can say about this game is, “Wow, what a game it is!” Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar doesn’t disappoint in any way shape or form. This game , I don’t even call this a expansion pack its way beyond that, is all about quality gameplay.
Dark Avatar is the stand alone expansion pack to Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords. When expansion pack is heard, most gamers, including myself, tend to think, “Ok a few extra maps maybe, a couple of cool new toys and some new scenarios...” man was I in for a pleasant surprise. This in no way resembles an expansion pack if anything it’s a game unto itself.
The story line continues from where Dread Lords left off. For those who didn’t play the original, basically the bad guys won. In Dark Avatar there are bad guys and really bad guys — the difference between the two factions is that one takes prisoners and one doesn’t.
This game is chalked full of new features and add-ons, making it more of a new game over a traditional expansion pack. Many developers see expansion packs as a cash grab; they promise you the sun, but deliver very little in the way of new gaming excitement.
In Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar there are many new options available, such as: new maps; new units; new scenarios; new campaign; new races; mine-able asteroids fields; covert agents; player designed opponents; civilizations now have a unique special ability; near-complete replacement of graphics with enhanced graphics; advanced AI algorithms; streamlined technology tree; new ship designer/parts, each race has its own unique set of ships; mega-events; planets with environment classes; diplomatic treaties and starship intelligence reports.
Of the above, I found several new options key to enjoying this game more than its predecessor. Here they are in no particular order:
Workin in a coal mine going down down
The addition of mine-able asteroid fields. These asteroid fields are excellent sources of minerals and play an essential role in the game. Make sure you set up as many mining posts as you can as they will help your neighboring planets’ productivity levels. Heed this advice though my friends — guard these fields. Make sure you protect them because many a field has been lost to alien hordes that need them as much as you do.
Make me a planet now
In the previous game it was fairly easy to take over planets. Not so in Dark Avatar. Here, if you don’t have the technology then “No Planet for You.” This does make you think a bit more before you go running whilly nilly around the universe. So take your time to smell the dilithium crystals and develop the technology that will allow you to overcome certain planets’ unique environmental issues. This does slow the game down, but it’s a good slow down.
The double “O” factor
Spies are now part of the landscape and play an important role in the game. They are not game breakers but their services will help immensely in your quest for control over the universe. You can place your spies on another planet and have them gather intelligence and destroy resources. Be careful though, because what is good for the goose is good for the gander; make sure you have plenty of extra spies because the only way to stop a spy is with one of your own.
The super fantastic power hour
Individual races now have their own unique abilities. As my mother would say, this is what makes them special and not different. Take these into consideration when choosing sides in the game.
• Super Diplomat: The Terran Alliance gets this, and as a result can get really good deals in diplomacy. The downside – what if there are few friendly players?
• Super Dominator: The Drengin Empire gets this. When they go to war, they get free ships. These ships aren’t particularly tough, but do help provide an edge. The downside – only is helpful for the player with a good military to start with.
• Super Warrior: The Arceans are the super-warriors. If they initiate the attack, they get first-strike for the first round. Downside – worthless on defense.
• Super Isolationist: The Yor are isolationists. Can colonize barren worlds and no foreign ship can travel more than three spaces per turn in their area of influence. Downside – barren worlds are pretty rare and slowing ships down means little early in the game.
• Super Manipulator: The Drath are super-manipulators. They are very good at talking other civilizations to go to war with each other. Downside – only helpful if they have friendly civilizations to manipulate.
• Super Hive: The Thalan are the Super Hive. Factories are built at 25% the cost and have greater range. Downside – does nothing for research.
• Super Adapter: The Iconians are the super adapters. They can colonize nearly half the special worlds. Downside – If they don’t get toxic and aquatic worlds on a given map it’s largely useless and they still have to research the technology to get the full benefit.
• Super Annihilator: The Korath are the Super Annihilatiors. Rather than build transports, they can build a spore ship which will wipe out the population of a planet. Downside – planets with no population produce no money and recovery is slow.
Mega “Size” Events
These add a certain “je ne sais quoi” to the game, kind of the vengeful god thing going on here. Mega events are disasters that can hit at any time, anywhere and range from a devastating disease to random acts of terrorism. This has met with mixed reaction from some purists, but for me it added a little mystery and sparkle to the game. If the thought of super powers or mega events doesn’t turn your crank, don’t fret, these can be easily turned off.
Make me a Death Star:
There is a strong trend towards customization in this game, demonstrated well with ship design. Gone are the days of static ship design; here you can be as creative as you want. The only thing stopping you is your own imagination.
A.I - Sorry couldn’t think of anything witty here.
Since this game has no multiplayer feature (tsk tsk) the A.I needs to stand on its own two feet. This is where many games fall flat on their faces — they’ll have awesome graphics and sound but the AI is poor, making in game enemies predictable and slow. I found the AI to be very strong and intuitive, making the game more challenging and exciting at the same time. The AI will make better decisions for you but it will also make better decisions against you. Take my word on this one, start out on the lower difficulty levels and develop your skills before you go jumping into the challenging levels.
The game itself has a stronger visual appeal as well — the weapons effects are greatly improved and the technology tree is much easier to read, understand and navigate within the user interface. This makes it easier for you to plot your path up the old technology tree.
This is one of the best space civ sims ever made, if you like civ games then this is a must buy.
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