The thing is IMO that the real potential of SK is doing the 4X part of the game well. I mean, there are enough RPGs out there, but even the best ones are no more than a scripted game (some of them a really really good scripted game, but a scripted game). The 4X approach of SK allows to experience RPG in a real sandbox world. That is why I am against scripting the game too much. I think that the approach of having a final boss is completely compatible with having a pure 4X game. Think about Master of Orion 2 and the victory condition where the player had to send a huge fleet to the Antarian (or was Altarian?) world.

Is a huge challenge what Stardock has ahead, but I am comfident that they will be able to do it (that is why I paid for the game even if it is not finished) I am pretty comfident that at the end we will have a true 4X game with new elements that make that game a bit different from the rest of 4X games, but that at the core is a 4X by its own right. Maybe I will like it more than LH, maybe I will like it less, but I am sure that I will like it.

I can't wait for the implementation of random maps for the game. That will open up the game immensely.

The game only felt repetitive for me after 4 games.Part of this is because I find myself facing the same enemies, over and over and over.

One neutrals are active, you'll be attacked from different angles by different opponents every game. Also once different sovereigns are on, playstyles can significantly differ. As parrotmath said, add in random maps and just finding the SK will add variety.

Another part of the repetition solution is the late game, or closing in on the SK's den: it would be more interesting if, as you closed in, the SK switched to an entirely different strategy.

Instead of continuing to just shoot forth endless waves of cannon fodder, he focused his troops into mega-armies for the sole purpose of expelling you. That would be very challenging, and prevent the player from just sneaking past the hordes and going for an easy kill on the SK.

If he succeeded in repelling you, he could revert to attacking shards. But going for the shards even as you are about to topple him seems like tunnel-vision strategy.

This is only Beta 1 though. I personally really like the more RPG (Quest side of it), HOWEVER, remember the minor factions are not in yet.

This is where the 4x will start to be noticed by many of you in my opinion, as minor factions can also be lured to the Sorcerer Kings side, and I am presuming they will then come after you as a consequence.

I think some are judging (not saying OP is) on current build, rather than reading between the lines of what the game will play like as Beta's 2, 3 and 4 roll out, and once complete.

Beta 4 is this week, and it's adding a lot of content.  That said, I can see this game developing breadth of content issues, but that can be solved with DLC and modding.

SK is a game that requires a huge toybox, and you don't see all the toys in EA.