Steam install does not pass validation

tried reinstalling multiple times, steam's validation check always says "1 files failed to validate and will be reacquired." yet still doesn't pass.  when i try starting the game the graphics load, but none of the menu items actually have words.

I understand that Stardock is a relatively small game publisher/developer, but bugs like this should not happen.  I had the game running before but it kept freezing 2 minutes into gameplay so I uninstalled and reinstalled to see if that would correct the issue...clearly it did not.