So at first glance, it sounds like Star Control 2, or perhaps Galactic Civilizations. As it turns out, though, you'll also have RTS battles with huge robots on planet surfaces, and they had me at "giant robots." This section of the game doesn't get quite the facelift as the rest of it, but did I mention there were giant robot armies involved? Furthermore, you can take 1st-person control of specific units, Battlezone-style. Of course, you can choose to forgo these battles entirely. But whether or not you decide to take on the Dominators, you're competing with 50 other Space Rangers who aren't willing to share a page in the history books. Along the way, you'll want to earn a positive regional reputation, which you'll earn by running missions for a planetary governor, defending trading vessels, and trading legitimate merchandise.