This is the kind of game, that needs a manual...and i mean, not just read once, but kept at your lap, all the time. You have a chance, to customize your empire greatly, and also the world around you, but be aware, this game really doesn't hold your hand...at all. I loved watching others play it, but when i tried, i always fail at it. I played other 4x games. Imperium Galactica and Civilizatio 5 are my favourites, but they were way more easy to control then this. So yeah, if you want a really complex and rewarding game, and smarter then me, then try this. But i warn you, it's really really complex.

I've played other 4X games, like Master of Orion, and such. But only GalCiv got me going. And going... Played it for months. It was so enjoyable, because it's easy to learn. You don't have to spend weeks learning how to operate the game, as it's often the case in the 4X genre(for the unaware it means eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate). It may be old, but it's a brillaint game.

If you are fans of old Microprose strategies like Master of Orion 1 & 2, you will be right at home with this bad boy! It's mechanics are essentially similar to those of an old time strategy, just in space. That being said, this is not a game so easy as to allow you to just jump in. It needs patience if you are to understand its depth, Certainly worth the tag price, it talks mostly to those gamers who care more about gameplay than image! I would say, buy it!

Galactic Civilizations I: Ultimate Edition is an interesing strategic title, where you must guide humanity into the universe "domination". The game campaign is pretty long, with a nice variety of things to do. The interesting thing is that, having a Stardock account, you can share your stats with other player. There is a great replay value in the title, thanks to the campaign and scenario editors. Graphic is not the top, but it makes its work.