Strategy, Customization, Action and Diplomacy all wrapped into one online game. Intense, to say the least...
Graphics:
While this is an RTS, which shouldn't be expected to have the up close graphic detail of an FPS, it still seems to have a somewhat retro feel to it. The graphics are certainly better than Warcraft 3, but I don't know that I would say they are as great as Supreme Commander. However, I have yet to see anything more dramatic in an RTS than watching the sunrise on an acid planet orbiting a blue star in Beyond Protocol.
Bugs:
This IS a game run by an independent company in a genre that really has little to no established coding or engines. It was built from scratch, so it is a bit buggy. However, in just a few month's time it's gotten much better, and continues to. They're constantly adding and revising features
Now for the finer points of the game. (Take a deep breath!)
Strategy/Customization:
Every gun, missile, radar, shield, engine and slab of armor on every corvette, fighter, submarine, cruiser, carrier, and facility can be customized to create a unique strategy or firing pattern. I can't tell you how many times I've surprised my enemies with something they had never thought to defend against, like a weapon with a large area of effect but low damage to be used as a fighter screen, or a cruiser outfitted with a ridiculously expensive radar that can snipe very well defended space stations. Of course I've been surprised as well and then I scramble to redesign a part or an entire assembly, get them producing and into the fight. Of course this is only a ton of fun if you enjoy thinking...
Action:
There are times when it can be slow, but when you get a fleet of 100 ships on three sides fighting it out, there's nothing quite like the rush of fighter wings being chased by escorts, which themselves are dodging corvettes, who are being tracked by destroyers, backing up cruisers, etc. etc. etc... Not to mention that combat can take place on land, ocean, air, and space in multiple environments (planets and space) all at the same time.
Diplomacy:
This IS an *MMO*RTS so there are a lot of players all inhabiting the same galaxy, each in control of their own empire. I'm currently leading a guild and I've dealt with my fair share of internal and external diplomacy. System claims, resource hoarding, small skirmishes turning into guild wars, and civil war are pretty common in this game. That all happens outside of the Senate.
The Senate:
The Senate in Beyond Protocol can actually alter the game. The highest ranking players need to submit and agree on one proposal every weekday, and then players get to vote on whether it passes or not, however, votes are counted based on planetary control. If I control 3 planets, I have three votes. However, total votes are counted by system majority. If there are 21 planets in my system I need at least 11 yes votes for my 3 to count. So, I have two weeks (public voting period) to convince, bribe, or forcefully take control of the 8 other votes I need. This happens on a daily basis (except weekends) so, there's always political posturing and military campaigning that goes on, just so players can make their mark on the actual game code. Now, DSE does review the changes and ensures they won't hurt the game, and so far all of the changes made have been vast improvements.
Well, I could go on, but this is a lot already, if you're still reading, you have to be interested on some level. I'm "Havoc" in game, look me up!