Alright, time to re-do the review - been two years and game improved A LOT since.

Currently this is my favorite 4X game, and a contender for favorite game, period.

I love how much freedom there is in this game to set up any kind of galaxy you want, makes for incredible replayability. Automation can be set up anywhere from full (almost) manual play to full auto (Rule in absence – ant farm). Playable races in the game are pretty distinct, with their own strengths and weaknesses. There are 4 races added by 2 DLCs, these are even more thought out. Devs started bringing up vanilla races to the same standard, two of them done as of now, looking forward to others being updated as well. With Shakturi expansion added, game has an end game crisis, giving us some additional challenge.

About my criticisms from old review. Order queuing is still to be implemented, and honestly – I don’t mind this, as its usefulness is mainly contained within early game, when full manual play is still viable. Though it would be great to finally have the option.
Population policies have been improved, though still lacking the ability to set automation globally for planet types, which would automatically apply to new colonies. Currently this is one of the more annoying bits of micromanagment not fully covered by automation options.
Also, it would be nice to revisit the tutorial, maybe in a form of a small pre-set campaign. Current lack of a proper tutorial is a source of many negative reviews.

Devs are hard at work on updates and new content, I hope there is much more to come.
I nominated the game for "Labour of love" award for this year's steam awards, it deserves it more than most.

Alright, time to re-do the review - been two years and game improved A LOT since. Currently this is my favorite 4X game, and a contender for favorite game, period. I love how much freedom there is in this game to set up any kind of galaxy you want, makes for incredible replayability. Automation can be set up anywhere from full (almost) manual play to full auto (Rule in absence – ant farm). Playable races in the game are pretty distinct, with their own strengths and weaknesses. There are 4 races added by 2 DLCs, these are even more thought out. Devs started bringing up vanilla races to the same standard, two of them done as of now, looking forward to others being updated as well. With Shakturi expansion added, game has an end game crisis, giving us some additional challenge. About my criticisms from old review. Order queuing is still to be implemented, and honestly – I don’t mind this, as its usefulness is mainly contained within early game, when full manual play is still viable. Though it would be great to finally have the option. Population policies have been improved, though still lacking the ability to set automation globally for planet types, which would automatically apply to new colonies. Currently this is one of the more annoying bits of micromanagment not fully covered by automation options. Also, it would be nice to revisit the tutorial, maybe in a form of a small pre-set campaign. Current lack of a proper tutorial is a source of many negative reviews. Devs are hard at work on updates and new content, I hope there is much more to come. I nominated the game for "Labour of love" award for this year's steam awards, it deserves it more than most.