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Galactic Civilizations 2, the 4X strategy title published by Stardock, has been an utter revelation. For a so-called "indie" title in a so-called "niche" genre, it's done remarkably well: The original budget of about $1 million has spawned more than 300,000 sales and an eight-figure income thanks to a stream of good reviews and plenty of word-of-mouth success.

The original game has already been augmented by one expansion pack, Dark Avatar, which yielded more critical and commercial praise. It was a generous pack, too, adding two new races, AI improvements and new features: espionage, sabotage and further diplomacy options for those who are more law-abiding. And that was only the start.

Stardock has earned a reputation for providing genuine expansion packs — and not just enough new content for a patch — like some publishers. So what's new in Twilight of the Arnor?

Plenty, as it turns out. Each civilization — 12 in all — now has a unique technology tree that's packed with literally hundreds of different things to research in dozens of different categories. There also are unique improvements and technologies for each race and three new ship components to add to the huge variety already available in GalCiv 2.

In fact, every civilization has been modified and improved with new ships, technologies, upgrades and weapons, and in true GalCiv 2 fashion, it's all pretty much perfectly balanced so the superb gameplay won't be tarnished by any of the additions.

Keen modders will be glad to know that there's now a map editor that utilizes the (admittedly basic) 3D engine for galaxy-crafting, as well as a scenario editor for those who enjoy crafting their own campaigns. The graphics also have been given an overhaul — as they did in the previous expansion — and there's a new galaxy size, the suitably epic "immense," that will inevitably end up creating games that will last for months.

While there's plenty changed and improved about various aspects of Twilights of the Arnor, has this affected — or hampered — the gameplay?

Certainly not — it's the same fantastic 4X action that GalCiv 2 has always provided. Beginning on a single homeworld, it's your job to expand the fledgling empire by either colonizing or invading other worlds and making them your own.

Once you inhabit a planet, myriad options become available. There's the chance to construct several different types of buildings — each of which bring various benefits, from economic to morale-boosting — to your civilization. Develop your planets to keep your citizens happy and productive, and you can research new technologies.

These upgrades and enhancements can affect every aspect of your civilization and also influence your diplomatic dealings, and they also control the direction in which you wish to take your nation. Choose to research mainly military things, for instance, and you may become known as a powerful, authoritarian and warmongering dictator — at the expense of other aspects of your civilization.

In fact, there's little wrong with the gameplay. GalCiv 2 is classic 4X done very, very well, with wry sideline in sarcastic humor that frequently raises a smile. It's absorbing and full of depth, with hundreds of hours of polished, balanced and well-designed gameplay waiting to be explored.

And, as an expansion pack, Twilight of the Arnor — like Dark Avatar before it — explores more of the backstory in the GalCiv 2 world and is a superb addition to the series. There's a huge amount added to an already huge game, and it's all done very well — the already precarious game that needs perfect balance thanks to a dozen different races hasn't been toppled. It's been improved.

If you're into 4X strategy, then you'll love this and find plenty more to enjoy. If you've never tried the genre before, then it's difficult to find a better place to start.