Gameplay
+ Satisfying, but lacking (see the '-'s)
+ "Fleets" and ships in general will return fire and auto-intercept hostile forces
+ Excellent addition of ability to "colonize" worlds, allegiances, trading, and intelligence pact
+ Well thought out and immerseful technology tree (research)
- Lack of storyline mode
- Lack of multiplayer and LAN options
- Pirates are numerically stronger by many factors over the other AI "players"
- AI's "empire strength" is slow and very underdeveloped after an extended time period of gaming (compared to the human player and pirates)
- Colony ships fail to run when attacked or approached by hostile forces
- Lasers are weak (even after upgrades); They should be more powerfuls since only the capital ships use them.

Graphics
+ Good detailing on units
+ Breathtaking and vivid spacescapes, planets, and "galaxy" view
- No ability to test framerates during graphic setting tweaks

Other
- No "loading" screen on game load (only a hourglass appears)
- "Large" Galaxy only includes 3 solar systems

Impressions and Feedback
For me, the above sums it up pretty well. Of course, a few things listed above will become available as Beta 3 comes around and as the full game is due to release. The three things that bugged me the most were: 1) pirates are stronger than AIs, and AIs are too weak; 2) The TEC's capital ship lasers should be more powerful; and 3) I hope and wish there will be more than 3 solar systems within the "large galaxy". I just feel 3 is small and not very expansive or breathtaking when playing with 9 other players.

When I first started playing Beta 2, I noticed instantly that I got a sense it felt like I was playing Homeworld 2. As time progressed, I saw it is very much a combination of Galactic Civilization 2 and Homeworld 2 with some extensions and additions (very good). I am a immersed science fiction fan and the TEC capital ships reminded me of Freespace's capital ships (with the sensor probes "sticks" out in front and the boxy shapes).

Overall, Sins of a Solar Empire (SSE, my shorthand), is coming along nicely. I can't wait until the game feels more balanced and new features and races are released in the upcoming betas.