by Slordak

Created on: June 03, 2009

Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor is the second and (reportedly) final expansion pack for the acclaimed strategy game, Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords. Released in 2008 by Stardock, it attempts to further enhance and expand the base game, providing players with new tools and options for customization. While the actual game experience remains much the same as the original, players who were once fans but have since grown tired of the title will quickly find themselves lured back into its deep and immersive game play.

The biggest difference players will note, above and beyond a graphical update, is the addition of separate technology trees and planetary structures for each of the game's 12 playable races. For example, one race might specialize in military technology, while another might be better suited to galactic commerce and tourism. As a result, planetary structures have slightly different costs and effects for each civilization, while the various technologies can be easier or more difficult to research. This greatly enhances re-playability, and allows players to choose a race which suits their particular style of play (or conversely, one which provides a greater challenge). Numerous smaller changes which polish the existing game elements might not be as readily apparent, but still serve to improve the game's overall quality.

The other major addition comes in the form of editing capabilities. Players can now edit maps, scenarios, technology trees, and planetary improvements. This allows players to design their own custom scenarios with custom rules, and further enhances the "mod" friendliness of the title. Such changes can be minor in scope, or can overhaul the game completely, and can be distributed online for others to make use of as well.

In addition to the aforementioned new elements, the title also includes a new campaign with associated storyline. After previously battling the exiled Dread Lords, powerful and ancient beings who seek galactic domination, humanity (in the form of the Terran Alliance) continues to seek a way to achieve a permanent victory. During an expedition, the Terrans stumble across the last of the Arnor, another race with technology and origins similar to the Dread Lords. From the Arnor, the humans learn that both races draw their power from shards found throughout the galaxy. In order to ultimately put an end to the power of the Dread Lords (and perhaps the Arnor as well), these shards must be found and destroyed.

As an expansion pack, everything players loved or hated about the original in terms of core game play will remain. For those that find turn-based strategy games too slow, Twilight of the Arnor does nothing to remedy this issue. However, for players who have no problem spending countless hours playing just one more turn, Twilight of the Arnor perfects the formula first revealed in Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords. Many details which players found irritating in the original title have been addressed or improved, and it simply feels more refined. Be warned, though, that a single game can take countless nights to complete, so make sure a comfortable chair and an understanding spouse are available.

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