The true birth of a genre, innovative and immensely fun.
The game is so easy to control, yet it is also challenging. You never have to rush around doing things in a panic, you are free to go along at the pace of a Turned-based Strategy, but you have the action of a Real Time Strategy. It's like Homeworld meets Galactic Civilizations, and it's a beautiful sight to behold.
The game's graphic engine may not be pretty, but if you meet the minimum requirements, your computer can probably handle the 100 vs 100 ship fleet battles that permeate the late game.
The multiplayer community in my experience is kind and mature, and are always willing to help out a new guy.
If there's one glaring complaint I have, it's that it doesn't come with a campaign, but then again, they probably didn't have time when they were jamming so many new features into the game.
If your a fan of space-strategy, or hell, strategy in general, this is a game you absolutely must have.