R.O.N. is An enjoyable historical ride with much to do and plenty to keep you coming back for months later.
As for changing the gameplay, the added Senate building and its attendant government advances integrate smoothly into the flow of play, and force players to make some interesting decisions over the course of developing their empires. Do you take Despotism for some killer military bonuses or go with Republic to kick-start your economy? Clearly, these choices have a large impact on the game, and picking the ones that complement your strategy the best is critical to your success.