Galactic Civilizations III Critic Reviews

Galactic Civilizations III is a great game, containing a mix of familiar mechanics and new ideas that can keep both fans and newcomers occupied for a frighteningly long period of time...The best thing about the new Stardock-created turn-based experience is that it is so customizable, and the experience of playing in the resulting galaxies creates stories that are consistently fun and filled with surprises.

Galactic Civilizations 3 is a constantly rewarding experience, a colossal box of toys with which you can create some truly memorable stories.

I’m hooked in the same way I was with the last game, and not because it’s stayed the same, but because it’s managed to strike that balance between the comfortingly familiar and the refreshingly new.

Like its predecessors, it brings something unique to the 4X table that goes beyond the sum of its parts.

It’s a fun, deep, and somehow accessible entry in a genre that’s often viewed as complicated and excessively complex.

It’s in-depth, addictive, time consuming and a helluva lot of fun. Whether you want to be a money maker, a military genius or a peacekeeper, you can do it. With very few drawbacks and some very interesting game modes still coming, this game is going to be a life suck.

More of a refresh than expected, but still hands down the best modern way to conquer unknown space.

Galactic Civilizations III is a great 4X space strategy game, one that will keep you pushing for one more turn late into the night. If you’re looking for a terrific multiplayer experience, GalCiv III won’t scratch that itch, and some parts of its core pacing stumble. But the combination of depth, ease of gameplay, and a sometimes-funny, snarky aesthetic, make GalCiv III a delight to play.

Galactic Civilizations 3 doesn't do much to change the established explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate grand strategy model aside from its ideological advancement tree, but its extensive customization, faction personality, and overall quality make it an excellent game.

GalCiv 3 gives you everything a galactic conquest has to offer: Plenty of victory conditions, scalable enemies and fleet battles. Unfortunately with the exception of tech trees the races play too similarly while the diplomacy can be broken down to math. So while there is lots to improve in small details, in the big picture Galactic Civilizations is one of the best of its kind.

Galactic Civilizations III stays the course on the strong path laid by Galactic Civilization II— at times to a fault.

Stardock built a sturdy 4X platform to build upon in future expansions.

Galactic Civilizations III is a solid entry to a beloved strategic saga. It's just a bit disappointing that the calls for bolder innovations were not heard.

It innovates from prior games in the series, and is undeniably fun, but Galactic Civilizations III isn't the clear leader in a packed genre.

Galactic Civilizations keeps its focus right where it needs to--on excellent fundamentals. Progressive pacing makes the enormity of space amenable and paradoxically personal, while the sheer number and variety of tools and options at your disposal allow you to succeed and win if you can out-think everyone else.

Only a minor improvement on the last game, but still a hugely accomplished space strategy game – with an almost infinite range of customisation options.

Given how complex GalCiv3's overlapping systems are, getting good at the game can become quite a daunting task, but it's worth it. Few games offer the same sense of flexibility and depth that this game has.

Galactic Civilizations III is a great rebuild of a great series. The game is much bigger, multiplayer is here to stay, and the ship designer will keep some players occupied for hours. Is it missing a few features from previous entries? Sure, but GalCiv III is still worth your time and money.

A good game marred by bugs and lack of documentation. Once it is fixed it should be back on top but it does not justify a higher score.

Stardock Studio stood up to the task. Third Galactic Civilizations is an absorbing strategy game, one of the best of its genre. It's also a difficult game, but accessible and worth the time.