Where do we even begin? Battlestar Galactica Deadlock is a true marvel for fans of the franchise. Not only is it a competent TBS game set in Ronald D. Moore's continuity, it's also respectful of the original 1978 TV series (the Artemis-class battlestar is essentially a 1:1 of the original Galactica model). It's what we've waited almost a decade for! But I cannot, in good conscience, recommend it. And that breaks my heart. For starters, there are a few things I expect from a singleplayer strategy game: clear mechanics, strong progression, threatening AI, and strategic depth. BSGD does well in the first category by virtue of being so simple. There's a map filled with important Colony worlds and lesser "gateway" planets you use to move fleets, one planet at a time. You gain resources by protecting key worlds and doing missions. You spend them for tech, commander skills and ships. Then, for the tactical layer, you issue orders of movement and attack to up to 7 capital ships and their squadrons. It's all fine, if hampered by obtuse UI. The further points are very hit-or-miss. Progression is strange. You spend a lot of time with weak units, learning to make do. Then you suddenly unlock late-game ships and you start tearing through elite enemies because the tactics you've developed are just that impenetrable. AI is only dangerous because of its numbers' advantage and some cheesy units that you're more annoyed at than threatened by. In terms of its tactical maneuvering, it's positively braindead. Speaking of, strategic and tactical depth are the most important aspects of a strategy and tactics game. And it's not good. The campaign only progresses as you do story missions, and the AI spams fleets wherever it likes, making gameplay fully reactionary. And as stated before, there are many tactical options, but only a few viable ones that you always stick to. All in all, I love this game. But I can admit it's repetitive and overpriced, and I just can't recommend buying it.
