I think those who have trouble with this either just didn't get wery far or have not combat abilities. The gameplay is much easier and intuitive than either Master of Orian II or Birth of the Ferderation. The real-time aspect as opposed to turn based makes all the difference. The graphics are good. Not spactacular, but they're not the most important in this type of game.
Sound is nice, good mood music.
Imperium Galactica has without a doubt some of the slickest artwork and interfaces in the space strategy genre. As a newly assigned lieutenant, your job is to restore order to a system that has been under attack and left severely crippled. Your choices are given to you from a simulated starship bridge that interfaces you to the solar system as well as the surface of the planets you have been assigned to manage. As you rebuild the colonies you receive certain perks such as monetary units and even an increase in population. Pirates seem to continually prey on convoys and it's up to you to dissuade them.