Galactic Civilizations IV (2023)

Developer: Stardock Entertainment
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Simulation, Strategy
Rating: 3.6 of 5, 2,487 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 28 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A slow-burn grand strategy of exploration, negotiation, and military escalation across a procedurally generated galaxy.

strategicmethodicalexpansivecontemplativeatmosphericdiplomaticreplayablecomplex

What players say

Players are split on Galactic Civilizations IV. Some call it a solid, lighter alternative to Stellaris with deep world development and ship customization, while others find it unfinished with a clunky UI, performance issues, and tedious micromanagement. The game has improved since launch, but long-time fans say it still lacks the satisfaction of GalCiv II.

Screenshots

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More by Stardock Entertainment

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.