Galactic Civilizations Hands-On

Many years ago, playing video games was in many ways different from the experience we are used to today. The developers of the past were required to create something truly original - a plot or gameplay structure. Back in those days, any development team knew that the essence of a good game is not in its graphics, but the overall quality and presentation of the entire product. Today, the development process is fundamentally different. Games have become the opium of the masses (Opium? More like Crack! - Ed) and for that reason many publishers have concentrated primarily on the visual effects because, hey, that's the way games sell (a phenomenon we know to be increasingly exploited in Hollywood movies as well). But today, a sea change is in the works. For those players who prefer a more profound and intricate gameplay experience, you might find fulfillment in Stardoc's new turn based strategy, Galactic Civilizations. The game has clearly managed to steer away from the abovementioned stereotype.

There goes my population. Better work harder next time.

She's the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.

So, what is Galactic Civilizations anyway? It can best be described as sort of a crossover between Sid Meyer's game Civilizations and Star Wars: Rebellion. Or, if you look at it from a slightly different perspective, you might call this one Heroes of Might & Magic in Space - except the hero units have been replaced with space fighters and star frigates. The principles of the game are more like to HoMM than any other game I've encountered. Your main units will be exploring the map in the same method as HoMM, and you'll be stumbling into various items that can increase your wealth or experience.

The basic story is that after ages of research, humans have finally mastered the arts of interstellar travel. In the process of exploring the far regions of the galaxy and colonizing various star systems, humans have encountered 5 different alien species, which are also struggling to gain control of the universe. Your task is to lead United Earth to victory. The player is required to research new technologies, build a stable economy, and create a powerful military force, while looking after your political and diplomatic reputation. Of course, there are various trade skills that can be utilized in the game which will help you maintain a secure and healthy cash balance (we mustn't forget that now mustn't we?).

Galactic Civilizations offers a number of rather interesting and commendable options right at the beginning. Similar to Star Wars: Rebellion, you can optimize the size of the galaxy you will be exploring in and you can increase or lessen the number of inhabitable planets. But, before you start expanding your civilization, you can take the time to optimize some of the alien races. Whether these aliens are smart, dumb, evil, good, or just plain neutral, it is all up to you. Once you've finished setting the morals and intelligence of each opposing race, you are ready to adjust miscellaneous skills and political preferences of your own civilization. The way you run your government has a great influence on your general success in the game. You can choose one of the following political parties: Federalists, Pacifists, Populists, War Party, Technologists, and Mercantile Party. Like I've mentioned, there's also a choice of skills and abilities the player can add bonus points to before he begins the game, such as weapons, defense, speed, population growth, research, influence, trade, diplomacy, sensors, and espionage. Such options are an excellent way of brining the game closer to inexperienced players. Those of you who have had less practice turn based strategies can customize the game, thereby decreasing its difficulty and making it easier to get into.

Even though this game can be compared to Star Wars: Rebellion and HoMM, there are several features, which present a far greater challenge than either of these games. Establishing trade routes, maintaining your political reputation, and running the economy is not all fun and games. It is a great responsibility and unless you take the time to tend to almost every aspect of governing, you're liable to lose economic influence and financial stability rather quickly. The best thing you can do to avoid such predicaments is to begin trading with neighboring colonies and civilizations as soon as possible. Once you set up trading treaties, you can then raise the commerce taxes to generate income. Another good idea is to establish star bases in the vicinity of a valuable resource.

Research is the key to your success.

We have to settle somewhere people!

Throughout most of the game, you will be using a diverse fleet of spacecraft for inspecting and conquering the various star systems. The Survey Ship, for instance, can travel great distances and is used for collecting useful items that can improve your abilities in a variety of different ways. In addition, it is always handy to have a Constructor near by, simply because it is the only spacecraft that can pick up resources you find along the way. There are two more types of vessels that are crucial to the progress of your civilization - the Scout Ship and the Colony Ship. The Scout Ship is a small, but very quick vessel that can be used to uncover remote parts of the map, and the Colony Ship establishes settlements on the uninhabited planets the Scout Ship uncovers.

The goal of the game is to conquer the universe and maintain your economic and political influence for as long as you can. As you may have gathered, this will not be an easy task. Whichever path you may choose to glory, it will be tough and chock full of twists and turns. That is why the developers have offered you many choices that can help you triumph over other civilizations. You can reign with an iron fist, relying on your military might taking most of your time researching various weapon and defense technologies. Or, you can institute a powerful political and economic system, and start negotiating with adjacent star systems - if you should manage to persuade them to join your cause; you'll be able to gain powerful allies, which would quickly increase your wealth and diplomacy skills, letting your allies do your dirty work for you while you rake in the cash. An interesting innovation in terms of gameplay is that no matter which ideology the player chooses at the beginning of the game, in due time you can advance your regime and government to the next level of political evolution (democracy, federation, etc.).

The game doesn't have a multiplayer mode, so it will be strictly a single-player challenge all the way. The development team is working hard to make a truly fulfilling single-player experience, which is why they have spent an inordinate amount of time on enhancing other gameplay aspects. The intelligence of your opponents, for example, is praiseworthy. This build has demonstrated a solid AI code - no matter which race you come up against, the CPU will be a most worthy adversary.

At this stage, the game appears to offer a promising amount of features, which guarantee a decent turn based strategy and enough options and challenges to keep you occupied for days. The visuals may not be much, but hey, that's not the point here. What you should look forward to is that this can be one of those rare occasions where you get to relax and play a game, simultaneously stimulating those rusty brain cells of yours (well, anyway that's the way it was for me).

Stardoc and Strategy First have revealed that Galactic Civilizations will be on its way to retailers sometime during March 2003.