I bought this game 4 years ago on release day, because Advanced Tactics was one of my all-time favourite games. I spent 2-3 hours trying to understand it, but every time I tried to play, I just had no clue how to do anything... and I just gave up.

A few days ago my Youtube feed presented a DasTactic tutorial video so I watched it and gave the game another try. Now, after 30 hours I reckon I understand about 10% of the game... but here's the thing, that's enough to really enjoy it, and enjoy learning about all the other aspects as I play.

Graphically it's a little dated but I love the map and counters. The planet generation is just amazing and the map graphics do a fantastic job of presenting the huge variety in planets so each looks interesting and unique.

Although the game is complex, it's not needlessly so - as you learn the game you realise all the detail makes the game endlessly replayable and satisfying. Once you understand the basics and start enjoying gameplay, the rest begins to fit into place.
The UI is possibly partly to blame for initial learning curve as it takes some time to remember where everything is. The thought I have had most often while playing is 'where is it I do this again?' followed by clicking on random UI buttons (of which there are many) trying to find the screen where I raise some troops, or gave a pay rise, or ask for a report, etc, etc...

So it took me 4 years, but thanks to DasTactic (and of course a great dev) I am finally really enjoying this amazing game. If anyone would like to try it, I would definitely recommend it and for those that purchased, but then didn't play (like me) I would say have another go. Look up DasTactic's Youtube channel and watch his 2 hour intro video. A couple of hours of focused learning will unlock the game and give enough info to enjoy it and begin the learning curve of uncovering all the delightful details that make this game so expansive and wonderful to play.

It works on a potato of a computer as well. It makes Civ series look basic and yet doesn't even make the fan start on my laptop, so I can play it anywhere while not being vaporised by laptop heat, which has the side benefit that the non-stressed battery lets me go off-grid for several hours to enjoy this apocalyptically good game.

Right, I'm going back to play it. I'll update this review at 100 hours to let you know if I understand it all yet!

Recommendations:
"If you like"
4x games
Military theme, long term strategist,
hvy social / political systems
Slow burn - long winded strat games
Hvy design, blue print planning, city management
Planet building (mostly text based)
I rate @ 7/10

The first 3-5hrs of playing S/E was spent staring at the screen and flipping through the multitude of menus, (there's a ton) Never quite sure what does what.
Knowing I'm a 4x'r and love these types. Sid Meier's Alpha Centuri comes to mind first, a bit of Panzer Corp, that genre...
I got soured, put it down.
But then found Dastatic on YT and followed his play throughs on S/E a bit. Soon I was getting it, the mechanics that is.
The language of this game is kinda like an Oriental w/ a lisp and really bad English. "Why is it telling me this when I wanna do that ?" You have to just get your head into it a bit- . So now w/ some concepts in grasp, I'm plugging along building and conquering. Designing my units, and further engineering them. Building the cities and masses. It's a deep game, and you can just wade around and still play- but if your a 4x lover I highly recommend S/E... and the deep dive into the logistical, technical, and political systems. Having an intricate point system that not only shares w/ other in game venues, but also have effects in an of themselves.
It's a slow burn game. Even when choosing simple and quick starts. Tasks abound, and once the shooting starts you'll find you've been playing for 5 hrs and your Red Bull is now flat. Characters evolve slowly and some will give their lives for you- if they love you. If they don't - they'll rip you blind. There is a Stratagem card system (I know right- not cards!) and I find it really does add a lot to the strategies of the game and replayability. UI is well done and intuitive. Combat is sort of text based... weird, but playable. AI is so so initially- but they learn quickly.
Great game and I recommend for 4x gamers. (I don't have the single DLC for S/E- bad reviews have me skeptical)

lov it