I wrote a review for this back when it was stil in Alpha. Boy, has it EXPLODED! Two notable differences between E.S. and other games of the genre are the simple grace encorporated by the UI, and the astronomical accuracy and beauty of the galaxies in which you play. You can customize the weapons, shielding, and other aspects of every ship, unlocking new specialized hulls through research.
Since the Alpha, they've added numerous tweaks and huge immersion details such as ancient "Wonders," huge, magnificent structures that you can marvel at and eventually harness. The difficulty has been ratcheted up a notch in places, and the balance is even better!
In short, this is a gorgeously realized world, set with a stunning background (both artistically and chronologically), and is worth every dime I payed for it!
If you enjoyed Galactic Civilizations, you will love Endless Space!
I purchased this on a whim but every time I sit down to play, I find at least 6 hours of my life suddenly missing. A fun and sleek game that is a great introduction to the Space 4X genre!

FTL isn't everyone's game. You lose far more often than you win. I've played it for around 12 hours so far, and still haven't beaten it.
But therein lies the devious appeal of this game!
As one of the last ships loyal to the Federation, you carry information vital to overthrowing the Rebels who have taken over the galactic scene. You must weave an intricate dance to keep them off your tail, while trying to earn enough scrap to upgrade your ship. In the end, there is only one way out.
When your engines are on fire, your shield system is disabled, and the nefarious alien boarders have you cornered in your own med bay, you will find yourself cursing that you didn't upgrade your blast doors instead of purchasing that Hull Laser. In the very next scene, after you somehow make the jump with the last surviving crew member, what do you find? A random weapon floating in space!
This game is as addicting as it is sadistically merciless, and will keep you begging for just one more bloody turn!

Building upon the cult following that made Starsiege: Tribes and Tribes 2 recognizible before it, Tribes Ascend takes a radical jump away from its predecessors in that it offers a myriad of options for everyone. With a slicked UI and better graphics than ever, you'll find the right weapon for your playstyle. If you like to run and gun, there's a class for you. If you want to methodicaly pick off your enemies at a distance, try the sniper class. If you want a balance of playability and firepower, try the Soldier. Like previous Tribes games, to longer too long in one spot is to invite death.
Oh, and its free to download and free to play.
You can't rally beat that can you?