Resource management is simple to grasp even for a strategy newbie. Money spent on research yields deadlier weapons, stronger shields and faster ships with a greater range. Profit that goes into ship savings is simply money that is used to purchase defense satellites and ships. Inevitably, your starting home planet will no longer be able to generate the resources you will need to conquer the galaxy. Income growth slows to a crawl because your planet reaches its maximum population.
Metal runs out because, like any other resource, there's only a finite amount available.
To increase your income and metal reserves, you'll need to colonize a new planet, which is as simple as sending a colony ship to an unexplored heavenly body. The graphics are simple 2D sprites with a little animation, but they're colorful with lots of personality. Instead of looking dated, the graphics have the comfortable familiarity of your favorite sweater or pair of blue jeans. Ship graphics are particularly cool looking, especially when a fighter hits level 10 and beyond. Many events in the game have their own special sound effect, so your ears will never get bored with the witty and glib sound nuggets that are sprinkled throughout the title.