Gamespot got a copy of beta 1 and has just posted their hands on preview of the expansion pack to Galactic Civilizations II.

In Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar, we have gone in and added a ton of new features to the base game that radically change the gameplay in ways we hope are for the better.

They conclude: "Dark Avatar has an impressive amount of new content, enough really to merit it being a sequel.."

The expansion pack is due for release in February.