I have been playing since Beta 2. Now that I have the real game, it is superior to all others I have. The AI is good, and I play on normal. My first game I restarted and still lost though I started from a previous save and tried a different approach. The graphics are great and my system is stable. I have found the pirates workable reading the advice given in this forum. I have found the diplomacy missions workable and in fact satisfied a few while not intending to!!!
Thing is, I am still learning what I can and can't do, but more importantly how the AI uses exploits. Here's one. I had only one planet I was desperately trying to keep. The Prophets of Zei (?) kept sending their planet assault ships to one side of my planet. I moved my missle platforms to that side. Sure enough, the enemy sent two waves and exploited the hole I left. It was a great game and I feel good about it. There was no way I was going to win with only one planet in a large galaxy.

I don't really have any gripes, but I did notice that one time the enemy was able to "clog" a phase lane so that I could not get out. Anyone else ever see this???

Also, I am still not sure how to direct my forces when I have bombers and ships to direct. Sometimes I want to select every man woman and child to take down a capital ship, but I can't. ??

Lastly, it would be cool if, even though you lost, you could see the outcome of a game. That way I can see if the guys I supported won in the end.

Great game guys!! Worth every penny!