How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II?

[baby_arm]

GalCiv2 doesn't do MP, but Sword of the Stars was very much designed with MP in mind. Some say it's the best part of the game.

And thanks for the compliments on the article, guys. I'll be sure to pass them along to the author (Stefan aka YourConscience).

[Barnacle Bill]

I don't see much similarity between the SE series and the GalCiv series at all, beyond both being 4Xers set in interstellar space.