While Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition deeply focuses on the 4x strategy concept (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate), at the same time it does not force you to be aggressive. Diplomacy, espionage, trade and kindness also go a long way.

But let's face it; it is nice to have peaceful means to deal with disputes, but this is a video game after all and games without action are boring. Whenever boredom kicks in you can always go to war in Galactic Civilizations II but you should be prepared because once war starts, Galactic Civilizations II turns brutal especially if you are playing the game on a higher difficulty setting.

War in Galactic Civilizations II consists of two phases. The first and most dominant phase is concluded in space. Your spaceships engage the enemy spaceships and the fight is eventually concluded. The second stage of warfare is the planetary invasion stage. Keep in mind that certain technologies must be discovered for planetary invasion to be possible. Once a planet is conquered it joins your faction until it is recaptured or until it breaks away from you because of their low morale.

One of the best things about war in Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition is the ability to customize things. First of all, the game includes a very vast array of technologies that can be researched and discovered. As you progress through the technological tree new weapons and ability become available. In the weapons department, three paths can be taken: laser, kinetic or missile. Three counters are also available; for example, to counter an enemy that specializes in lasers you may want to research shield technology. Honestly, I found out that the best way to adjust for war is to mix and match until you find something that works for you best.

Ship construction takes place on planets. Each planet can construct one ship and one planetary improvement at any given time. Each planetary improvement has a specific role. For example trade complexes help raise more taxes while factory complexes help build ships or other planetary improvements just a bit faster. Keeping an eye on your funds is wise considering that not many empires remain in power operating from a deficit. The game also included a Planetary Council. The Planetary Council is sort of like the UN of space and the member nation meet once in a while to take votes on matters that affect the entire universe. I don't want to spoil the entire game for everyone, but I do want to make one final comment about Galactic Civilizations II that I find simply amazing. Unlike games like Civilization where an enemy will fight to the death, the AI in Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition is much smarter. The AI actually realizes when it is fighting a losing war and sometimes the enemy surrenders. And sometimes they don't surrender to you. I was playing a game where I had one faction almost destroyed. I was approaching their final planet and out of spite they decided to surrender to my arch nemesis instead. Well, out of greed I decided to take that planet anyway (technically it should have been my) but in the long run that started a trickle-down effect that cost me the entire game. This game really brings in a new meaning to the saying "Keep your enemies close and your friends even closer."