Have been through about 30 games of Galciv3 and really enjoy the game from a strategic standpoint. I think what is missing to make a truly addictive experience is something to make the player emotionally connected to their world or fleets. I personally find that I enjoy the planning and strategy, but I dont really care if I lose a fleet or certain planets...it becomes a numbers game. The game ends up feeling a bit shallow in certain cases. For example, if you look at what are considered to be one of the great 4x turn based games...Heroes of Might and Magic (the earlier games) you have exactly what you have with galciv except the additional layer of heroes on top of your army. These heroes ultimately become what you are attached to, not the stack of 100 ogres.
I am wondering if it would be fun to implement fleet captains/admirals that have a personality and can "level". They provide bonuses and have special abilities they can use perhaps (maybe you select something before combat begins) to throw in an added surprise. Maybe you have one ultra powerful admiral in your empire, with 4 or 5 lesser captains. Each is attached to a specific fleet. You could have fallen enchantress style events/adventures as you explore to level these characters up. I think this would add incredible depth to the game, replayability and battles. Understanding you are going up against the enemies admiral who can throw things at you that arent readily apparent, etc. You know you are in for a tough and interesting fight. While I truly enjoy the Galciv world, it lacks some personality for me. Eventually you know you have the numbers and it just becomes a matter of mashing buttons. Give me things to be emotionally attached to and I think you have a world class game.
Just my .02...thanks for reading.