Deadlock: Planetary Conquest

The game is just too simple. There is very little depth and you will get the urge to just shrug your shoulders from turn-to-turn. Cannot be compared to the Civilization series, which had depth and yet playability. I was very disappointed in it considering the positive reviews it garnered.

It's hard to review Deadlock. Just because it's hard to explain what's so good about it. I mean, technically, the entire review should be like this: it's a 4x game that was released a few months after Civilization II and feels a lot like it. With the Sci-Fi setting being the main difference. And that's the problem. I mean, what should I say here? That Deadlock is a lot like Civ II, but just can't be as epic? Well, it's kind of true. Deadlock follows the Civilization formula, it gives you some races to choose from, it makes you capture the land, do research, negotiate, or fight with your opponents... in other words, it's a Civilization. In Sci-Fi setting. Which just can't be as good as the real deal. But the thing is, Deadlock just works. It's hard to explain why, but there's something very special about this game. And not only because Alpha Centauri wasn't there yet. It's here now and Deadlock still makes me back to it from time to time. It's just Deadlock... is fun for what it is. Very fun. From very comfortable Windows-based UI to interesting races and gameplay mechanics. It's just feels right to me. For the same reasons why I often return to the first two Civilizations, even though there are much more games in the series now. They just feel good to me the way they are. Same goes to Deadlock. Give it a chance and maybe it'll become your guilty pleasure. There was one thing that totally made Deadlock cooler than Civ II, though. At least for some time. And that thing was... multiplayer. I mean, having Sci-Fi version of Civ II with multiplayer back in 1996? Yeah, baby, yeah! Deadlock was released exactly between CivNet and multiplayer version of Civ II, and that was just perfect time for it to be. Unfortunately... GOG version doesn't have multiplayer. At all. Which means that the game's strongest point just isn't there anymore. Hence the rating. But still, Deadlock is a very cute little gem. Not as ambitions as Civ II, sure, but still, totally worth your time.

Deadlock is a good example of a game that presents you with the illusion of choice rather than a real strategy. There are multiple races, sure. They have minor distinctions between them. But really, every match -- and I do mean EVERY match -- comes down to tech research. Get it if you like Civ-style strategies because this one is pretty great in its presentation, but don't expect the untold hours of replay that some will promise.

I picked this one up in the clearance bin a long time ago, and loved it. Its basically like simcity meets Civ. A planet is broken up into territories, each territory is like a micro simcity game, but where the structures effect the over all strategic reserves of your faction. The battles and diplomacy function like a simplified civilization. I loved this game and beat it a ton of times. Totally worth it if you like the genres.

I'm totally flabbergasted. I spend my better half of my teenage years playing this awesome yet almost unknown gem and now I find it here on gog. So, yes nostalgia is overwhelming any form of criticism. Let me just say it's less complex form of CIV. It's not simple, just like Civilisation II only with a magnifying glass. As an optional you have more micromanagement, you can name every soldier or tank the way you want. Give orders how they behave in combat, somewhat similar to Dominions, You have hilariously written diplomatic message where you can insult, threaten or coerce your opponent (diplomacy is pretty weak though) And all races are very charming and fun to play, except the boring humans perhaps, but who wants to be human anyway... If you like turn based strategy on a grand scale, but you want to have fun for an afternoon without getting a headache - this game is for you.