I found Galactic Civilizations II : Dread Lords in the bargain bin of a local store for 7,99 € (approximately 10$). Unfortunately it was the german version (I am from Austria), but I found, that renaming the "german" folder automatically makes the game use the english language (the german version is awfully lame, there are numerous syntax errors and the descriptions can't stand up to the amusing written english ones).
First I though this game is rather boring. But after playing for a few hours, I really got addicted. The most exciting thing is the reaction of the AI controlled factions. I play with "normal" settings for the AI, since it is my first play-through, and I don't want to get my butt kicked by the AI. But even on this setting, the AI demonstrates "smart" choices. For example: Pretty early in the game I attacked and destroyed one of the Drath Legion's Space Station (just out of curiosity how Space combat was implemented in the game
). Of course they were fed up, and declared war on me. But when I rallied my combat fleet (consisting of 2 custom made interceptors with Stinger missiles) next to the second space station of the Drath, they begged for a peace treaty. I accepted, and got 1500bc and all their technologies in return. 
Too bad, I am at work now and can't play this fantastic game.
Now I have a question: Is my german version compatible with the Galactic Civilizations II: Expansion Bundle digital download (containing Dark Avatar and Twilight of the Arnor). I was able to update the german version normally via impulse (and now have version 1.5 or so). And it is english now, since I changed the language folders. And why is this expansion pack rather expensive (44.95$)?
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