Hello,

I played Gal Civ 2 a lot before but never played the first title.

How do they compare? Would you recommend?

Cheers!

Only if you are interested in seeing where the sequel comes from. This isn't like MoO 1 and 2, where both are different enough from each other to stand on their own. GalCiv 2 is plain superior to GalCiv 1.

Ranging from cleaner UI, to better explanation of the game mechanics, tech trees that make sense, improved race and ship customisation (the latter didn't exist in the first game at all), different weapon types, and a whole other things. The only areas where GalCiv 1 might be better than the sequel are the Terror Stars (more powerful), minor races (they can actually colonise and manage to become quite strong, but you can achieve the same in GalCiv 2 by modding them), and the possibility of space monsters.

This isn't to say GalCiv 1 is a bad game. Far from it. It just pales in comparison to the sequel.

Thanks!

well, I miss the campaign in GC 1. I was also curious about the GC 1 because I had also started with GC2 before playing GC1. I'm not disappointed. Thank you GOG.

From what I heard, Steam is only required to install GalCiv 2, but not to play it. I can't verify this though, because my version is from Stardock directly (before they moved to Steam-only for their games).

As for a DRM-free version, there is none. GalCiv 2 requires a one-time activation in order to work. In case of the Ultimate Edition, the activation is only required for the Twilight of the Arnor (2nd expansion) part. The base game (Dread Lords) and the 1st expansion (Dark Avatar) can be played without it.
There are no limits to the activation, but it is still DRM. Even the Steam-version has it.

Ok, Thanks for info.
For people who like to do travelling outside their countries, far and wide...
At least I think, then DRM-free is the way to guarantee 24/7 that the games are available to play :)
So that's sad news, also because other venues like Gamersgate are selling steam activation codes.
For example, GC2 bought there you need Steam.
Don't know if the Steam can be uninstalled afterwards and still keep the game(s).
But it's too much of a bother for me, I think Gog.com is the only shop aside from some indie sites selling their games as downloads without Steam or other DRM-madness :)

I easily agree with you superstande. More and more game distributors are using intrusive and dirty DRM nowadays, such as Steam, Origin and Uplay. I don't know much about Origin but it looks like a copy of the Steam principle, and Uplay may be the lesser bad one and Steam the worst... but after all, sorting is a matter of taste :D

What worries me is that more and more game sellers are relying on Steam, not even delivering the game by themselves, which closes a big part of the games market for me... but hopefully, until it comes on GOG, as I hope will be the case for Gal Civ 2 soon !