If you’re a fan of epic space-based strategy games then you’ve probably
played or at least heard of Galactic Civilizations. If you haven’t, then you’re
reading the wrong review because Altarian Prophecy is an expansion for that
game. Go out and get Galactic Civilizations and then come back to this review in
a couple of weeks. If you’re still here then I’ll let you know that in short
Altarian Prophecy is a nice little expansion that gives you a new campaign, new
scenarios, a handful of new ships, and a scenario editor. Don’t expect it to
radically – or even marginally – alter the original game, but it does add some
new mission-based gameplay that will bring you back to your favorite space
conquest game.
The expansion’s subtitle refers to its new nine mission campaign that focuses
on the Altarians. During the course of the campaign you’ll unravel the mystery
behind the race’s origins and how two new races played a part in the Altarians’
destiny. The new missions primarily focus on conquest type of objectives, but
you’ll also need to meet diplomatic ones as well. The difficulty ramps up nicely
and overall the campaign will provide for some enjoyable gameplay when you need
a break from the all-out conquest of the open-ended mode. In addition to the
campaign, Altarian Prophecy also adds ten new scenarios that stand on their own.
If you want more than that, you can create your own using the new scenario
editor. You can even link your new scenarios together to form a new campaign and
share it with friends and fellow gamers over the internet.
As for new units, the expansion introduces four new ships that will help to
round out your fleet but won’t drastically alter gameplay or force you to adopt
brand new strategies. The four new ships are good and evil versions of two basic
ships types. The first pair is the new capital ships the Paladin and the Vamp.
The first of the two carries the bonus ability to repair friendly ships in the
same sector while the second leaches shield energy from nearby enemies. The
second pair includes the Sovereign and the Wraith. The Sovereign will increase
the defense rating of nearby friendly ships while its counterpart will decrease
the defense rating of nearby enemy ships.
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