After typing a too-long-to-post review I will just say that SEV is vastly less enjoyable than stellaris, it's "strategic" combat AI is terrible which ruins it for multiplayer since the combat can only be AI controlled. I bought it hoping to relive the glory days of VGA planets via PBEM and leave it still wishing there was some modern equivalent of a 90's game that touted its VGA graphics. The PBEM does work. The multiplayer does not require a central server or login. The people who say it requires the 3rd party balance mod are completely correct. The online community and resources for SEV vs SEIV should be your first and last clue that SEV is not worth the money. Learning the game in single player mode was enjoyable until the enemy (organic) planets became invincible. There is a lot of potential depth in this game but in the end it was a disappointment. I bought the pack. Time to see if downgrading to SEIV is any better.
