I have to say that this game is "OK."
I bought the game, and it plays, and I won't try to take it back. That being said, I am not going to have my friend buy it, just so's we can play multiplayer.
There is stuff to do, it is engaging and fun. But this game does NOT have a tactical aspect, if you try to tell a single ship what to do, you are wasting your Empire's time. Hopefully your captains are smart enough to keep the ships alive, while your train enough forces to turn the tide, and wait.