Ground Control II: Operation Exodus

About

In "Ground Control II: Operation Exodus," players command futuristic forces in large-scale battles across diverse, dynamic environments. The game features an engaging single-player campaign and intense multiplayer modes, with a focus on strategic resource management and tactical unit control. The battle for resource-rich planets and the fate of humanity is at stake in this action-packed real-time strategy game.

Genres & Tags

Strategy

Play Modes

Ground Control II: Operation Exodus screenshot

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 135 reviews

story16 positive mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience with enjoyable gameplay and a captivating story that resonates with long-time fans.
It features a unique RTS mechanic with no base building, allowing players to focus on tactical unit management and strategy.
The graphics and sound design hold up well for a game from 2004, providing an immersive atmosphere and engaging gameplay.

The game suffers from technical issues on modern systems, with many players reporting crashes and compatibility problems.
AI behavior can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay, such as units failing to defend themselves or making poor tactical decisions.
The multiplayer component is essentially non-functional, limiting the game's replayability and social aspects that many players enjoyed in the past.

story
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The game's story is praised for its engaging and emotional narrative, featuring a well-developed plot with twists that keep players invested throughout the campaign. While some reviewers noted that the story can feel cliched and the ending leaves room for a sequel that never materialized, the overall atmosphere, character attachment, and dramatic elements contribute to a captivating experience. The storytelling is enhanced by improved graphics and cinematics compared to its predecessor, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “The game definitely improves on storyline, with a thrilling narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat and really pulls you in. The transition from chapter to chapter is handled perfectly, with the ever-developing story and gameplay growing on me massively as I played through.”
- “The story is overall surprisingly good for a more obscure game like this, with some twists and turns in the plot all the way until the end, enough to make things interesting.”
- “Throw in a simple resource system, truly beautiful environments, and a really atmospheric storyline that from minute one you're convinced is destined for tragedy and defeat for you and your people. I got really attached to the characters throughout, something a lot of story-based games struggle to do, never mind a strategy game!”
- “I experienced a deep sense of hopelessness as I played through the storyline's campaigns, and began to realize the grim futility with which the game's protagonists have to deal with every day, knowing full well that they are going to lose this fight.”
- “The story could not be any more cliched.”
- “All in all, the plot is not 'bad', it's just cheesy as hell.”
graphics
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
35%
13%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their impressive quality, especially considering its age, with many reviewers noting that they still hold up well against modern titles. The fully 3D camera allows for immersive viewing, and the beautiful skyboxes and detailed unit designs enhance the overall visual experience. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a standout feature, contributing to its nostalgic appeal and enjoyment.
- “The game has a fully 3D camera that not only allows you to view the game world from any angle, but also allows you to zoom all the way in to look at your units up close, and the visuals actually hold up quite well if you do.”
- “Highly impressive graphics, they remain visually pleasing and stand up well on their own, even today.”
- “The graphics, even today, are great and better than a lot of other RTS games considering the age of this game.”
- “I have the nagging suspicion that the game's developers might have blown their budget on GC 2's visuals.”
- “Yes, GC II has way better graphics than GC I, but that's the only advantage.”
- “Graphic is old.”
gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
53%
18%
The gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics, particularly the absence of base building and the innovative dropship reinforcements, which enhance tactical decision-making. While some players find the controls a bit clunky and express disappointment with certain aspects of the sequel, the overall experience is described as fun, challenging, and emotionally resonant, with a strong narrative that complements the gameplay. However, there are mixed feelings about the pacing and depth of gameplay in the sequel compared to its predecessor.
- “The units' secondary mode really varies the gameplay, making every little tactical decision of the utmost importance!”
- “Gameplay-wise, it is a no-nonsense strategy game that focuses on combat instead of base building and resource gathering, a feature that set its predecessor apart from other games at the time.”
- “Graphics are amazingly better than the previous installments, storytelling is much more captivating, gameplay is challenging, fun, and rewarding.”
- “The mechanics are a little clunky but still a lot of fun in campaign mode.”
- “Instead, in GC II you have a fully different gameplay, a very boring one, actually, which anyone should know well after games like Warhammer 40k, Company of Heroes, etc. You have unlimited waves of reinforcements and all your units are just cannon fodder; you don't care about them.”
- “Gameplay in GC II is boring and stupid.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The music in the game is widely praised for its captivating and dramatic quality, enhancing both the gameplay and cutscenes. Many users highlight the soundtrack as one of the game's standout features, describing it as beautiful and fitting, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Overall, the music is considered an underrated gem that elevates the game's atmosphere.
- “The tutorial mission - the music specifically, holds a special place in my heart.”
- “It also has one of the most underrated RTS soundtracks I could name, which is something you can hear for yourself even as soon as the main menu.”
- “Fantastic music, good visuals, enjoyable story, cool units, and a cool campaign.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its emotional depth and immersive setting, drawing comparisons to iconic titles like Gears of War. Reviewers highlight the combination of beautiful environments, a compelling storyline, and strong character attachment, making it a standout in the RTS genre. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a significant strength, contributing to a profound gaming experience.
- “This is more of an emotional review than an actual one :) Still, this game is amazing; the atmosphere, the gameplay, and the story are all 10/10.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is an absolute banger.”
- “Throw in a simple resource system, truly beautiful environments, and a really atmospheric storyline that from minute one you're convinced is destined for tragedy and defeat for you and your people... In fact, I got really attached to the characters throughout, something a lot of story-based games struggle to do, never mind a strategy game!”
- “The overall setting and atmosphere might even remind you of the utter bleakness present in the Gears of War series.”
- “It was one of the very few RTS games out there that has some really decent emotional substance to it.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight the game's strong emotional impact, praising its atmosphere, gameplay, and story as exceptional. They note that it stands out among RTS games for its emotional depth, drawing comparisons to the bleakness found in titles like Gears of War. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to evoke deep feelings while delivering a compelling experience.
- “This is more of an emotional review than an actual one :) Still, this game is amazing; the atmosphere, the gameplay, and the story are all 10/10.”
- “It was one of the very few RTS games out there that has some really decent emotional substance to it. The overall setting and atmosphere might even remind you of the utter bleakness present in the Gears of War series.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, as it successfully evokes nostalgia while functioning effectively on modern gaming PCs, with performance being nearly flawless. However, there are minor issues that prevent it from being completely perfect.
- “The optimization brings back all the nostalgic moments while finally working seamlessly with modern gaming PCs.”
- “The performance is almost considered flawless, making the experience incredibly smooth.”
- “The game runs exceptionally well, showcasing impressive optimization for both old and new hardware.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the gameplay is noted as entertaining, but the lack of multiplayer options detracts from the overall experience.
- “The humor in the gameplay is absolutely hilarious, making every moment enjoyable!”
- “I love how the game incorporates witty dialogue and funny scenarios that keep me laughing.”
- “The comedic elements are perfectly timed, adding a delightful twist to the overall experience.”