Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution

A worthwhile expansion for fans of the series. A couple new races and hypergates freshen up a 4X veteran.

Retribution is definitely worth playing and if you heavily invested in the game, you'll most likely find some enjoyment revisiting the Galactic Civilizations universe, just don't expect too many great things, and certainly nothing revolutionary.

For casual players, the game still has much to offer as a strategy map game should. I look forward to keeping my eyes on Stardock. So far, between this and other titles like Star Control, Ashes of the Singularity, and Offworld Trading Company, they have a firm finger on the pulse of the galactic exploration and exploitation genre.

Overall, Retribution is a capable expansion for fans of the franchise, bringing in new gameplay options and two specialist races to round off an already well-developed roster. The expansion will not change the mind of anyone who already likes or dislikes the series, but it’s worth a shot if you like the game. GalCiv III might not have taken off the way Stardock intended, but the company’s decision to stick with it turned the game into a tailored experience virtually unmatched by any other sci-fi 4X on the market.