General Dominions 3 comparison...

[Zonso]

I play all 3 regularly, and definitely from a SP perspective I think your friend would enjoy Dom3 as a strategy title. However, there are some differences as Dom3 isn't a 4X game like Civ or GalCiv.

IMO some quick Dom3/GalCiv/Civ SP comparisons:

SP gameplay in Dom3 is the weaker of the three, still fun but not as challenging after the initial early game 'hump'.

Dom3's AI is just horrible, even when set on Impossible. It isn't in the same league as the others. Dom3 is touted as being easy to Mod and I checked into it briefly, but with a full-time job/family, my free-time is spent playing not modding the AI. I asked for examples awhile ago but received no response so I guess nobody has bothered. The Better Independents Mod helps the AI a little.

The UI in Dom3 could be a lot better! It can get tedious hunting/keeping track of all your troops/leaders.

Graphically it was probably not cutting edge 10 years ago and is a distant 3rd here.

So what's the allure then after the less than positive points above? Well Dom3 has strategy and lots of it. Whether from the initial Pretender design, the magic research paths, the Army composition for enemy 'X' or scripting/equiping your Leaders, the game offers many distinct and workable strategies for each of several playable nations in three different 'Ages'. (I only wish it offered compelling and challenging gameplay to go with it!)

So your friend can't go wrong really with Dom3, especially if he/she plays MP. It is a worthwhile purchase.