Galactic Civilizations IV

A RELAXING game to play

This is a Vanilla Review. No mods or expansions utilized. I will give the game a star for having very cool graphics. Another star for a game depth and detail that is relatively easy to pick up, learn, and play. The AI is kind of mixed. It will create ton of units, and that is a threat. But it doesn't really utilize hit and run or ranged tactics. So, you can milk that flaw pretty easily. AI also seems to develop planets well, but doesn't crank out enough star bases that give tons of perks. Biggest flaw, minus 2 stars, is the overall UI. Not really user friendly. They have "find enemy unit in home territory button" but its execution is flawed. Won't let you cycle back and forth. They could of really made it easier to identify ships, and even your own planets. And give you more grid options to make things easier to manage. Overall, UI is subpar. Overall Vanilla game is a 3/5.

The game is really fun. In my opinion, it is even better than the previous one. The factions now are more diverse, so each plays differently. There is more micromanagement. Leaders have more unique perks, and the choices impact your development and culture more deeply. Still, I think some factions are clearly stronger than the others; I think some balancing could be done. I feel like Terrans basically are the best faction with almost no downsides. As other factions have flaws that greatly influence the playthrough, also the cost of dlc's is a bit too high in my opinion.

This plays how i imagine Civ4 played back in the day. A little clunky for sure, but an excellent addition to the 4X multiverse.

Up to their usual high standard. Great gameplay, new races - all round excellent game

Fun 4x4 game with lots of options

Very fun. massive galaxy and fun race customization. However, the multiplayer is meh. Multiplayer galaxies are small and the number of AI races allowed is small. and if someone is looking in a menu or looking a planet, space station, etc. the game gets a desync error. GC3 was better for that but GC4 is far more stable in multiplayer.

Seems to be a well thought through game, which I am enjoying, though I have only played on beginner level so far.

I'm initially worried by the reviews, but upon grabbing this on sale and playing 100h I would say: this iteration (at time of review) is very fun/replayable where it probably matters: early game exploration + initial war (as long as you play on difficulty that is appropriate) Pros: - racial differences: The tech is more samey compared with some earlier iterations, but I find other aspects like culture/racial buildings to still drive very different playstyles/economic setups - early game decisions feel impactful e.g. taking cheaper tech vs taking tech you need right now (asteroid mining being a major example), maximizing control benefits - building up/specializing planets is fun with the core vs colony diff: core worlds are BIG and it's potential input from colony/asteroids matter a lot. - typically in my game initial war is fun: Cons: - Snowball: conquering another civ still gave way too much benefits like double civ unique buildings (like capital), to the extent that winning an early war feel mandatory part of optimal play. This apply to AI too btw: early aggressive AI can snowball to heaven too. - Later game mop up still awful e.g. after winning said early war. If the AI isn't god awful at core world building placement I would find it much more acceptable. Unfortunately, to keep the advantage I have hopefully amassed early/mid game, I have to micromanage buildings/supply ships which is NOT fun. - Map still feel too open without meaningful way to "play the map" unless you are Arcean/Viligant and your early starbase actually do something (honestly these should be default for military bases). Space is supposed to be open? Well Stellaris/Endless Legend etc have choke points since forever, while in this game... even the "hyperlanes" does nothing as enemy fleets just pass by. This make wars much more of a numbers game. Not so major cons but balance can be wonky: - building balance. Some wonders are terrible for their cost to benefit ratio, whereas some cheap buildings like starport are insane value. Farm district add both base and percentage food: you can feed entire empire with 1 dedicated farm world. - starbase balance: economic starbase feel entirely meaningless, while communications startbase is insanely OP (only thing better for influence is divine empath which is harder to setup, not to mention they are also the best "scouts" since you see everything in your influence space) - approval is sooo good that +percentage science/production is often worse - .... so why would i not go 3 free colony ship + 10% approval as first cultural trait unlock every single game? - cash is hard until I discovered tourism (hope you have high diplomacy for tourism minister) Verdict: recommend if you don't feel strong urge to finish every game