Over the past several days, thanks to Stardock, I have been trying out the new expansion along with many other founders. Here are my thoughts of the expansion with about 5-10 hours of game play. Over all most of my experiences have been positive with a few suggestions and to this point no new bugs, beyond what was present in 1.5. Now I know others have noticed some buildings not functioning correctly, tech tree issues, or missing artwork overall I tend to overlook or miss these points unless they are obvious or affect gameplay as a hole so they have not had any impact on a few of the games I've played.
I've played mostly as the Torians or a custom faction based on the Torian tech tree/ships/special race traits.
- Map Generation - As others have noted it appears some changes have taken effect here. Overall I like that purple stars seem to have the higher class worlds again or appear more obvious in the expansion. Now this could just be in my head with no changes, however, I seem to be more aware of it in 1.6. Star layout appears a little more balance, more tighter packs and empty parts of space even in scattered than before. Personally I like both of these changes assuming they have taken place.
- Mercenaries - I feel that these add an extra option to the game. I feel this should be an option at the beginning of the game either multiplayer or single player to turn on/off Mercenaries as one may not want to always have them enabled. Early in the game the AI doesn't appear to use mercenaries or at least the mercenary bazaar doesn't reflect any AI having purchased any mercenary ship where it does show which ones I've purchased. This is after 50+ turns into the game and I'd assume there would be a need for at least some of them to purchase one, if nothing else an extra survey ship which doesn't require extra resources. Overall positive experience so far.
- Warriors Racial Ability - Ignoring 10% of all damage makes for a tougher fight for those ships don't really have any thoughts either way.
- Vigilant - Love the extended star base range of this ability. Opens up the space a little, eliminates some star base clutter.
- Amphibious - This is a little weak if you ask me. "Can colonize water worlds early in game.", should be labeled as "Can colonize Aquatic worlds immediately. Aquatic worlds are the same as non-extreme planets." To me this is too much like the Adaptable trait, at least with adaptable one is able to colonize Aquatic, Frozen and Barren from the beginning and at the beginning of the game getting a few extra planets may be key long term, even if they are only half production. The bonus of this trait getting 1 free water tile terraformed each tech age, (total of 3 per game) doesn't really give me a huge advantage when I have 20 + planets. If I only have 5 planets on a small map this may be a little better for the player. I think this needs to be given a boost providing 1 tile per tech age to each Aquatic planet. After all that is the reason they are able to use these worlds from the beginning because they are a faction that thrives in water.
- Discreet - Getting one free mercenary ship each game when that player encounters the bazaar is nice Personally I'd use the colony ship or constructor right away to get that early advantage. One can always purchase the survey ships as they don't require resources.
- Custom Faction Issues - There are duplicate Medium Orchid Map Themes as well as duplicate Arcean Interface Themes on the color screen (so I lied one bug). I would have loved a new character trait or trait points with the expansion but, maybe we'll get that with the expand-alone next year
- Added Core Faction Suggestion - With any of these new core factions. (Added post release) Such as the Snathi, Torian, and Arcean all are buried on the opponent screen mixed in with custom factions as they were created, designed after custom factions were added to the game. These should take preference and always be on top similar to when the player is choosing their cilization the 11 core factions appear prior to the custom factions.
- One last suggestion, I would like to see mercenary ships either being auto upgraded as galactic technology advances or an event/option to upgrade these ships as time progresses in the game. Maybe not as easy as other ships but, maybe an option in the Bazaar screen such as upgrade existing mercenary ship for x cost and x resources ect... Then the option for the ship would provide upgrade options based on the average technology knowledge in the galaxy. I don't know how practical this would be or how feasible this option would be but, I think this would help keep your investments from becoming obsolete.
Don't think any of my personal thoughts may have an impact in the game but, I just thought I'd share from a consumer prospective.