Second Conflict is a fun "beer & pretzel" style game of galactic warfare for Windows, and one of the first shareware strategy games that are worth the registration costs.
Sequel to Galactic Conflict, the game was released as freeware in late 1990s by its author, Jerry Galloway. Second Conflict is not a typical 4X game (or even strategy game for that matter) because it lacks three important characteristics of this genre: research, diplomacy, and fog of war. However, the absence of these components are clearly by design: the game is quick space war game that can be finished in a few hours.
You can compete with up to 9 other players, any of whom can be computer-controlled, in 6 preset scenarios or an unlimited number of random scenarios. The game is easy to pick up and enjoy-- one of the things I like the most is the number of fun options in the game. You can, for example, define the initial strategy for computer players. Want your opponent to be more aggressive? Cautious? You can change it with a mouse click. You can also change victory conditions, set the number of factories and planets, and even set reinforcements or attacks in progress when the game begins. This means you can create a "white knight" scenario where you play the knight (or in this case, the commander) valiantly charging into battle to defend a planet as its defense systems are failing. Fun, and a great way to boost self esteem ;)
Gameplay is otherwise identical to other 4X games, except that it's much more transparent and easy to learn than most. At the top of the screen, you can see the current morale level of your galactic empire, current turn number, as well as current odds for both ground and naval attacks. Although there is a limited number of units you can produce and no research possible, the units are more than adequate as the focus is on strategic-level planning rather than tactical combat. Both space and planetside battles are resolved quickly based on statistics of both sides. You can send military units to attack, probe, or resource raid missions. The computer players provide a decent challenge in anything above "easy" difficulty level, although it's still much more fun to play against human friends (only hotseat is supported, unfortunately).
With a quick & fun gameplay and excellent user interface, Second Conflict is well worth a look for anyone who wants a quick, no-frills galactic war game. Two thumbs up!
Review By HOTUD
English 
Comments and reviews
I built my own virtual reality game to teach children their ABCs, and 123s. I am now wanting to add DO RE MIs and a foreign language interface. I also created my own money mirror, replaced perplexity chess pieces, and added a color coded calendar clock. I am working on implementing a 3D game space wherein each of the squares in the 3D board will accommodate a link to a website.
The demo had the old "Look in page x, line y in the manual and enter the first word on the line" feature to it. I kept a text document with guesses and had guessed about half the manual over the years until I found the full version on sites like this.
I loved playing this as a nerdy teenager I. THE 90S. I had the 50 turn demo and I learned you could guess the passcode to get extra turns. I miss this game for sure.
I finally figured out how to get this game screenshot to be my wallpaper. It looks great. Simply click on screenshot. Then press qnf hold on image an option lidtvwill appear. Click on "set as wallpaper". Your icon screen will change on your phone to this screenshot. I love it.
This was my favorite game in the early 80’s. I started with the DOS version. Later this windows version was created, but as I recall, the game play was the same. Early AI; it was great to be able to play the computer oponents. My games would last for hours (maybe 6 or more...) at a time. I’d get addicted and couldn’t stop until it was over. Stayed up way too late many times! :)
I played this game back in the nineties. I only had the 50 turn demo. But I based a whole fictional world on what I learned from this simple game.
This is a Windows 3.x game; not DOS.
No comment nor review for this game at the moment.