As a big fan of Starflight / Star Control series this game was very interesting to me.
A word of warning. This is pretty complex and definitely not "casual". You will have to learn and think a lot.
My biggest issue with the game are the unresponsive and awkward controls of the minigames. This makes it pretty difficult and frustrating to collect resources. I don't know if that is intended to make the game "more challenging". But for me its the biggest weakness and it makes it difficult for me to recommend the game to anyone. So I can only recommend it when you have a certain frustration tolerance.
Pros:
Very deep gameplay. Longest and most detailed Tutorial I can remember having ever played. (Good thing!).
Good simulation aspect. Many stats to track an keep in mind. Satisfying to "level something up" or to find/buy Equipment.
Easy to learn, hard to master.
Seems not dependent on "luck". But it depends on your "reflexes" an this can be a bit frustrating (bad controls).
Many short "minigames" for different kinds of anomalies to aquire different kinds of resources.
Beating the game unlocks new stuff.
Well designed interface. Albeit there is plenty information to show its clear and concise. Once you got the hang of it.
Many and detailed tooltips for each control or display. So its easier to learn the ropes of the game.
Lots of replayability. You cant discover everything in a single playthrough (time limit)
Time only flows at sepcial actions so the game waits for your input. No stress or hurry. Enough time to plan, compare and decide. (excluding most Minigames).
Cons:
The things you can fly to in a star system are difficult to distinguish from the background. But there is also a list available.
The graphics is very "bare bone". Decide wether you can live with that. This is clearly a game which values gameplay over appearance.
Some of the minigames to collect resources are difficult, hectic and annoying (because of the controls). This is the only issue which lowers my fun playing. But probably you get better at it over time.
The controls of planet lander and away team rely on moving foward by moving mouse way from center. Here a button + strafing would be way more convenient. I can hardly fire in the direction I want.
There are not really quests, story fragments or unique events that make the game feel consistent. The events (anomalies, distress ships) are just generic and plain. I don't even know why I have to destroy the arch enemy. So you don't follow a story or lore but its just resource management and leveling up through minigames.
This game tries to be a rogue like. Thus you are supposed to loose everything for every little mistake. I generally find this pretty unfair and it seems the developers of such games don't value the time of their customers. I would find it more user friendly when there where a load button to load the last save. Now I have to Alt+F4 when things go bad and start the game again. Frustrating.
Since the game is a bit repetitive (resource grind) I can't imagine to win it 6 times to unlock the next of the 8 levels. For completing it you must have plenty of free time and a strong will I guess ;).
Summary:
Complex indie space adventure/simulation game. Lots of depth, fun, replay value and fairly priced. Some little quircks (controls, missing story) but nonetheless clearly recommended.
Note: I play with Steam in offline mode. So the counted game time is not correct. I have at least 10 hours in the game so far.
