After playing 5 games, three of which I quit after a dozen or so turns because I could see how far behind I was, I have come to the conclusion that this is the same old traditional 4x game with two differences. One that I like, and one that I don't like. You're fighting one foe instead of multiple foes and you have a strict time limt to achieve the objective. The time limit is so short that you are in constant rush mode. IMO, pacing should be revisited.
I like to play games for the immersion. 200 turns is like a sugar rush. A quick high and then it's over.
What this means is that you are forced to b-line to a military buildup. No time for exploring (beyond finding shards), and no time for quest, unless you happen upon one by chance while looking for the shards. It's one-dimensional in the sense that there is only one strategy. Pioneer spam and military spam. Where have I seen that before?...