It is often fun to poke around the graveyard of gaming, if only to see what poor digital wretches lie mouldering within. Sub-standard movie tie-ins are entangled with long-forgotten adventure flops, and mediocre brand-name cash-ins rot peacefully beside buggy disappointments. Amongst the strewn corpses resides the charred remains of Master of Orion 3. As many will remember, it was a hugely anticipated title, released several years ago to the scorn of players and critics alike, attempting to revolutionise space-based strategy. Sadly, the game failed to deliver a coherent game structure, fatally mutilating itself at the very first hurdle. The world was aghast. Space-strategists ripped out their hair in anguish. Grown men were seen to cry. But all was not lost! Before many moons, an unsung hero sped in at warp speed to squarely plug the gaping hole left by MOO3. The fearless newcomer was Galactic Civilisations.
Released back in 2003, GC formed itself a solid reputation very quickly, winning a glut of awards from all over the gaming world. This new Gold Edition includes the entire original game as well as the Altarian Prophecy, a new campaign that extends the story significantly. I’ll talk about that a bit more later, but firstly, for the uninitiated, let’s have a look at the game itself.
As leader of the human race in the struggle for galactic dominancy, you have a lot of decisions to make. A lot of decisions. Becoming a major power in the galaxy is attained through a combination of military might, technological supremacy, economic thriftiness, and political prowess. But fantastically, there are a number of victory conditions, which means there is no strict path to victory; you can play the game any way you like. Pacifists can opt for a non-combat approach, uniting all civilisations within one galactic alliance, while the more hostile-minded can win the game by the merciless genocide of all other opposition. Or maybe take a more indirect route, and attain victory by reaching immortality through research. The pure genius of the game is the way it neatly adapts to whatever game style you play by.
Let’s guide you through a few of the steps you’ll take on your way to becoming the big interstellar cheese. First off, the human race is initially a tad effete, so declaring war on other alien races is less likely to yield results than a burning lottery ticket. Expansion is the name of the game, so you’ll need to set about colonising planets to build up your power. Next up, you could do with some extra muscle, so try allying yourself with various races to bolster your chances of survival. Of course, don’t let these paltry diplomatic treaties restrain you from annihilating your allies once you’ve superseded their military capabilities. Poor fools!
Then you’ll need to start getting involved in intergalactic affairs via the United Planets Security council. Your participation in such meetings can dramatically affect how the rest of the game unfolds. For instance, you get to vote on various universal debates, so you can tailor your responses according to your modus operandi. When you start to get really powerful, then you might consider instigating war with some of the weaker civilisations to milk their resources and colonise their most fecund planets. Plus, the whole time you will be gradually researching your way right through the vast technology tree, unlocking ever-more useful tools to aid your progress.
What makes the GC universe particularly immersive is the meticulous detail on every game choice you make. Rarely do you get a clear-cut yes or no decision, but rather you’ll always have alternative options that help to more accurately fulfil your wishes. Take leases for example. There will be many times when you need a bit of instant cash to get that extra freighter or research a crucial technology. At such times you can take out a loan, but GC is not content to merely give you the option of a standard loan. There are three different companies that offer you leases, and all operate on different policies and payment regulations. You’ll need to shop around to see which one offers the deal most suited to your circumstances. Scarily like real life. A master of minutiae, and a champion of choice; GC provides a rich playing field indeed.
With over a decade of existing similar titles to learn from, GC really has got this Turn-Based Strategy lark off to a fine art. Gradually smoothing out rough edges, and then polishing them to glossy finish is what GC is all about. Innovation is pretty much absent, but is replaced by sheer quality in just about every single aspect of the game. Your gradual accretion of galactic power is beautifully recognised, giving a tangible sense of authority and might. Diplomacy, trade, and research are sublimely implemented, always offering maximum control with minimal effort.
The main addition of the Gold Edition is the inclusion of the huge new campaign, The Altarian Prophecy, which delves into the history of the infamous Altarian Republic. There are also two new major alien civilisations, as well as a comprehensive game editor that allows players to create their own scenarios and even campaigns. Plus masses of other new content (ships, technologies, etc.) and plenty of game tweaks that refine the game formula into an even more streamlined beast. A tasty little update all in all.
There is no multi-player option unfortunately, but GC recompenses that with some ruthlessly realistic AI. They are neither simianly stupid nor superhumanly smart, and struggle just like you to make progress in the game. Plus, each race feels genuinely unique, not just cardboard-cutout replicas. In fact, it’s not just the alien races that have personality; the actual game itself has an indefinable, subliminal character of its own. Ranging from eccentric to just plain brilliant, GC is the kind of game that you can get really comfortable with.
It must be noted though that GC is a hardcore title, not really suited to the likes of a casual gamer. It takes many, many hours of devoted time and effort to overcome the relentlessly precipitous learning curve, and to proficiently tap into the deep, full-bodied strategic undercurrents that resonate so profoundly off the cavernous confines of this elaborate digital masterpiece. But rest assured that such time expended is ultimately rewarding when your playing skills climax into a complete mastery of the game, and the subsequent sensation of complete fulfilment is satisfying indeed.
The release of the Gold Edition is reason enough for veterans to once again succumb to its enticing allure. Newcomers too will glean many hours enjoyment from this strategic gem. Galactic Civilisations is one game that’s never destined for the graveyard!
Adam Shirley
