Galactic Civilizations III

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Galactic Civilizations III is a turn-based strategy game that allows players to build and lead their own space empire. Explore new technologies, contact alien civilizations, and manage resources as you expand across the galaxy. A deep and complex experience, with a variety of ways to achieve victory and numerous customization options, ensuring high replay value.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,479 reviews

gameplay212 positive mentions

stability218 negative mentions

Galactic Civilizations III offers extensive customization options for civilizations and ships, allowing players to create unique experiences.
The game features a deep tech tree and various victory conditions, providing a high level of replayability.
The graphics and sound design create an immersive atmosphere, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

The AI is often criticized for being unbalanced and making illogical decisions, which can detract from the challenge of the game.
Many players report frequent crashes and bugs, particularly in multiplayer mode, making the game frustrating to play.
The tutorial and in-game documentation are lacking, leaving new players confused about mechanics and strategies.

gameplay
844 mentions
25 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Galactic Civilizations III" is characterized by a mix of deep mechanics and extensive customization options, appealing to fans of the 4X genre. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and variety of gameplay styles, some criticize the steep learning curve, lack of clear tutorials, and certain mechanics that feel outdated or poorly explained. Overall, the game offers a rewarding experience for those willing to invest time in mastering its systems, though it is marred by bugs and balance issues that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Its strengths lie in its extensive customization options, detailed graphics, and complex gameplay mechanics.”
- “Fun, easy to learn mechanics but still challenging and intricate.”
- “The gameplay is excellent, but you have to be in it for at least 20 hours if you're doing a really small match against 2-3 CPU enemies.”
- “The gameplay is painfully dated.”
- “The gameplay is slow in all the wrong places and it just isn't fun to play in the way the previous edition of the game was.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are archaic, and other games in this genre offer a far more entertaining experience.”
graphics
553 mentions
37 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Galactic Civilizations III" have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the improved visuals and ship design options compared to its predecessor, "Galactic Civilizations II." While some praise the game's aesthetic appeal and detailed graphics, particularly in ship and planet design, others criticize the graphics as outdated or lacking depth, especially in combat animations and overall performance on larger maps. Overall, the game is seen as a significant graphical upgrade, but opinions vary on whether it meets modern standards for visual fidelity in the 4X genre.
- “Quality and detail: the game features detailed and visually appealing graphics, especially in the design of ships, planets, and star systems.”
- “The graphics are terrific, and the gameplay is as challenging as ever.”
- “The graphics are crisp and beautiful.”
- “The graphics are outdated.”
- “Disappointing graphics with hexagons and retro looks with no retro charm.”
- “The combat is still way too simplistic, lacks depth and has very basic graphics.”
story
277 mentions
23 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Galactic Civilizations III" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the campaign's brevity and lack of depth, consisting of only three missions that feel more like a tutorial than a fully developed narrative. While some appreciate the universe's background and the potential for player-driven storytelling through sandbox mode, others criticize the campaign for being simplistic and unengaging, lacking the complexity and immersion found in previous installments. Overall, while the game offers interesting lore and character backstories, it falls short in delivering a compelling and cohesive story experience.
- “The story is interesting, but if I want interesting civilization concepts I would go to Endless Space.”
- “The story you create with your empire in this game is immense, and superseded (for me) only by Dwarf Fortress.”
- “Great game with cool graphics and fun storyline!”
- “Beware the promotional video, there is not an underlying story.”
- “The campaign is meaningless - no story, no real characters, just 4k till the other guy drops.”
- “The campaign - is a disgrace at 3 simple maps with next to no story, lore or caring.”
stability
225 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players express frustration over the game's inability to maintain consistent performance, especially during multiplayer sessions and after extended playtime. While some acknowledge that the game has potential, the overwhelming consensus is that it remains too unstable and buggy for a satisfactory gaming experience.
- “The game is stable and relatively bug free.”
- “Other than that, it's pretty bug free and game design flaw free.”
- “It runs great on 2560x1600.”
- “I bought the Crusade DLC and it's pretty good, but now my game freezes at the same spot (even after going back to old saves) and I cannot progress.”
- “It is a buggy, crashy mess which wouldn't even qualify for a beta build in terms of stability, and somehow it's a 6(!) year old game with no proper multiplayer features.”
- “The game constantly freezes when turns change, and you have to rehost or even relaunch the entire game.”
replayability
164 mentions
43 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its extensive customization options, diverse factions, and a robust modding community that continually enhances the experience. Players appreciate the ability to create unique races and ship designs, leading to varied gameplay each session. While some reviews note limitations in replay value for casual players, the overall consensus highlights the game's depth and the potential for countless hours of engaging play.
- “The boundless replayability is a testament to the meticulous design that Stardock has poured into this game.”
- “With its robust mechanics, unparalleled replayability, and the thrill of countless interstellar adventures, Galactic Civilizations III is an unequivocal triumph in the realm of strategy gaming.”
- “The high degree of customization for ships and player-made races, attention to detail of just about every facet of the galaxy, and the ability to take different paths to victory adds a lot of replayability to the game.”
- “Sadly, replayability for anyone who hasn't purchased the latest DLC is severely limited.”
- “None of the original tech trees can be used in creating your own race anymore without the latest DLC, which means that many of the key differences that made races unique and added replayability are simply wiped from the game.”
- “Replayability suffers a little in my opinion due to tech tree limitations.”
grinding
114 mentions
3 % positive mentions
-2 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being tedious and overly complex, particularly in late-game scenarios where micromanagement of numerous planets and fleets becomes burdensome. Players report that the need for constant clicking and managing various systems detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a monotonous experience. While some find the game fun in smaller settings, the overwhelming tasks and lack of automation options contribute to a sense of grind that can diminish the excitement of gameplay.
- “Late-game is not tedious micromanagement, even on the hugest maps!”
- “Grinding feels rewarding and satisfying, as each level up brings a sense of accomplishment.”
- “The grind is balanced well, making it enjoyable rather than a chore.”
- “There is so much needless clicking required in this game, it becomes tedious very quickly.”
- “The game reaches a point where the micromanaging becomes very tedious.”
- “Winning was tediously easy, and there just wasn't much to do compared to other games in the genre.”
optimization
107 mentions
16 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe lag, lengthy loading times, and crashes, particularly on larger maps. While some updates have improved performance, the game still demands high system specifications and struggles to run smoothly, leading to frustration during gameplay. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires further optimization to enhance the user experience, especially for those with lower-end systems.
- “Since it's also been around for 5 years now, it's been very polished and optimized, and the effort and love put into its development and evolution cannot strike you as anything less than pure dedication from the developers.”
- “Gc3 has come a long way since its initial release in terms of optimization, mostly regarding wait times between turns, quality of life improvements, AI quality, built-in content/features, and DLC.”
- “Best of all, the developer is always improving the performance of the game.”
- “Laggy mess of a game, badly optimized with turns lagging and getting out of sync.”
- “This game is poorly optimized and unstable to the point of not being able to enjoy end game because it crashes every 10 minutes even with the graphics set low and special effects disabled.”
- “The game is very poorly optimized, taxing a processor far more than one would expect - and far more than comparable 4x space games.”
music
101 mentions
38 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its fitting and immersive quality, particularly in relation to the space setting, with some tracks described as beautiful and well-composed. However, many players find the soundtrack limited and repetitive, leading to a tedious experience over extended play sessions, often resulting in players opting to mute the game or play their own music. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, its lack of variety and the monotony of certain tracks detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “The game's soundtrack is fitting for its space setting, offering an immersive auditory experience.”
- “The soundtrack alone is wonderful, with some really well-done pieces of music in here.”
- “The music is perfect, and it's never tiring to hear, but there are the usual (scientifically wrong) booms in space.”
- “Just freaking boring, no dialog to break up the really bad music playlist.”
- “The music quickly becomes very repetitive and irritating.”
- “Honestly, I keep trying to play it... but I can't get past the first 15 minutes because of the music playing over and over and over again.”
humor
54 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its clever and charming humor, with players enjoying the witty flavor texts, funny in-game events, and humorous interactions during gameplay. While it balances a lighthearted tone with more serious elements, the humor remains a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience without detracting from the game's strategic depth. Many players appreciate the creative and sometimes dark humor woven into the game's narrative and mechanics, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy a sci-fi setting with a comedic twist.
- “Fantastic sim with tongue-in-cheek humor.”
- “I absolutely love how much humor the game designers sprinkled into the flavor texts without making the game a joke.”
- “It's hilarious when one nation is just murdering everybody, and nearly everyone is at war with this faction, however every NPC elects them to be the United Planets chairman... 3 times in a row.”
atmosphere
16 mentions
56 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, enhanced by well-rendered cutscenes and a sci-fi setting that creates a relaxed yet strategic experience. However, some players criticize inconsistencies, such as the inclusion of sound in space and a lack of unique atmospheric traits among different races. Overall, the atmosphere is described as smart, exciting, and conducive to a captivating gameplay experience.
- “I love the atmosphere of this game.”
- “Very relaxed turn-based strategy game with a sci-fi atmosphere.”
- “Great atmosphere, challenging AI.”
- “Devs are the most stupid, when asked who was the bright idea to make sound in space when, no atmosphere = no sound, and they answer 'go away little man'.”
- “Apparently, in the galaxy all races breathe the same air as we do here on Earth, prefer the same atmosphere and climate, and want the same gravity.”
- “The races/factions are generic, and provide no real unique experience to play; you will choose races based upon who has the ship designing the elements you want, not because they offer different gameplay mechanics or atmospheric presence.”
monetization
13 mentions
8 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it as a "cash grab" due to the excessive number of DLCs and expansions that feel like essential features withheld from the base game. While some players acknowledge the game's quality and passion behind its design, they still express frustration over the aggressive monetization model reminiscent of other controversial practices in the industry. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment in how the game's monetization undermines its potential.
- “In addition, it's following the paradox model, which means launching a poor game and making it better with aggressive monetization.”
- “The big picture is the base game and DLC are a cynical cash grab from the developer.”
- “This otherwise great game has turned into a cash grab with endless DLC.”
- “It's a fun game, but most of the features that were included in Galactic Civilizations II have been turned into DLC (microtransactions) for this game.”
emotional
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a mix of emotional responses to the game, highlighting both frustration and appreciation. While some feel disconnected due to issues like a poor battle camera and user interface, others are deeply moved by the game's immersive elements and stunning visuals, leading to a heartfelt connection with the developers. Overall, the emotional experience is marked by a blend of disappointment and admiration.
- “My most heartfelt thanks go out to the devs! Cheers!”
- “That's heartbreaking when the components look so 3D, realistic, and beautiful close up.”
- “It's so awesome I want to cry.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is noted for its uniqueness, effectively intertwining with the overall story to create a compelling narrative experience.
- “The character development and story are truly unique, making each character feel distinct and memorable.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations deeply intertwined with the main plot.”
- “The depth of character development adds layers to the gameplay, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character.”