PCGame

Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition

Turn-based space strategy with rival civilizations and multiple paths to victory

Stardock Entertainment · Released Dec 2, 2011

IndieStrategy

Third-party account required

Reviews
Very Positive
80% of 982
Recent reviews
Not enough recent
Players
23
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Last update on Steam
1 year ago
May 7, 2025
Minimum PC
DirectX 9 GPU
0.5 GB RAM · 2 GB disk
Full requirements

Metacritic: 92/100 (critic reviews)

What is Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition?

This single-player, turn-based strategy game puts you in charge of a spacefaring civilization on top-down galactic maps. You colonize planets, manage research and the economy, design ships, and negotiate or fight with rivals in randomly generated galaxies or a campaign about the Dread Lords. This edition includes the Dark Avatar and Twilight of the Arnor expansions.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy balancing diplomacy, research, and military power
  • +you want a campaign and randomly generated galaxy maps
  • +you like pursuing different paths to victory

Not for you if...

  • −you want real-time action instead of turn-based planning
  • −you want multiplayer matches against other players

What players say

80% of 982 reviews are positive

Players praise the replayability, adjustable game settings, and relatively straightforward strategy. The most common complaints concern crashes and startup problems, particularly on newer computers; some players also find the presentation dated.

Players over time

▲ +8% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 36 players on Nov 1, 2026.

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Screenshots and trailer

Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition screenshot 1

Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition system requirements

Minimum: DirectX 9 GPU, 0.5 GB RAM, 2 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition?

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Minimum

OS
Windows® XP SP3 / Vista™ SP2 / Windows® 7 / 8.1 / 10
Processor
Intel® Pentium® III 1 GHz (or AMD equivalent)
Graphics
64 MB DirectX 9.0c Compatible Video Card
Memory
512 MB (1 GB for Windows 7 / Vista)
Storage
2 GB
Notes
Broadband Internet connection, also to activate this game you must create a Stardock account while launching the game on Steam.

Does Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Does Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition run on Steam Deck?

Unsupported No: Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.

  • Not supported on SteamOS

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Third-party account
Stardock Account
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows
Steam features
Family Sharing
Languages
Full audio: English.

Does Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 25, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

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