This has quickly become one of my favorite games! The alien races (and even the starbase AI) are so unique and likeable, even the bad guys and the "smaller" races. Making first contact is a big part of the game, and they really make it enjoyable. The humor hits the right way for me. The gameplay is really fun, from exploring hyperspace to jumping around gathering resources on planets. The space battles aren't my favorite, but there's an automatic option that helps. But I love that you can see the aliens manning their ships. I haven't played the original games to compare, but I love this space opera! Recommended when it's on sale, gentle husk, so you can meet your new best friends, Biarm!