I don't like the classification of these types of games as RTSes, not because they aren't "real-time" or strategy, but just because it's misleading.  Games like Stardrive and Distant Worlds are not what most people would think of as RTSes.  They are continuous-time versions of games like the MoO or GalCiv series.  I think it's akin to calling the Europa Universalis games or Crusader Kings 2 "RTS"es.  Stardrive and Distant Worlds are more like "Europa Universalis in space."  And that type of game is more often played:

1. Pause the game to organize build queues, create ship designs, engage in diplomacy, choose research priorities, etc.
2. Unpause game and sit back (while optionally accelerating time) to watch the clockwork world/universe play out your choices.
3. Pause game again when something new requires your attention.  This may not be for several minutes without accelerating time.

In contrast, an RTS usually keeps the player constantly busy.  Personally, I can't stand RTSes, but I love EU/CK2/DW/Stardrive.  They're very different animals.

I agree Cauldyth, I wish there was a different name for those kind of games, because I avoided some really good games because they were labeled RTS, when that label didn't really fit.

Well, i like to be constantly busy, but in a more relaxed manner of Sins, rather than frantic pace of old-school RTS games like StarCraft.

Interesting thing with this pause/unpause and watch approach. I suppose i will have to get used to it.

Comparing this to CK2...with CK2 I LOVED it for about 2 months. I couldn't get enough of it. I even enjoyed watching the tutorials I found on youtube when I first started. I think they were by an aussie/kiwi fellow. Anyway, then all of a sudden I didn't care about CK2 anymore. Not sure why. Anyway, the difference, so far as I can tell, is that in CK2 I had to pay attention to a lot of variables even at the start, but that was ok. This game starts out with few variables, so i'm not so interested. As well in CK2 there wasn't much down time waiting for me, but with SD so far there's a lot of waiting in the begining. Its not engaging. As well a lot of things are not explained easily. Not to mention those damn slow to appear tooltips. Maybe things will be adjusted for the full release, but right now i'm already looking at refunding.

Well, I haven't played Stardrive much yet, so I don't know how well it's come together so far.

Don't refund. It's a BETA, so the game needs some fleshing out. You've already spent the money, why not allow the developer the time to flesh it out and make it the masterpiece that it will become. 

Those tooltips will definitely come. There are plenty of videos online that can help you learn how to play. The game throws more and more at you the longer you play it. It's not quite as "deep" as CKII, but I think it's more enjoyable. I have over 100 hours with it between Desura and Steam, so I speak from experience. 

TL;DR: You paid $25. The young developer (his very first game!) would really benefit from you sticking by him with your investment! It will get better!

I've been playing the StarDrive game. I will say two things:

(1) game has potential for sure and I am looking forward to the release;

(2) I have put the beta into "storage" for time being.

The main reason for #2 is really quite simply a user interface issue that I am really believing must be updated by release: a big part of the game is designing ships to counter enemy ships: you can partially zoom in on enemy ships to see what they have got but 'partially' is the key operative word: you can't really get a big zoom in so that guys like me with so-so eyestrain cannot really make out what the enemy ship has got: teenagers undoubtedly could.

So you can calibrate to see if my review counts for you:

5 stars: Gal Civ 2, SotS 1, Armada 2526, SINS (aka SotSE, I think)

4 stars: Endless Space,

2 stars: SotS2,  Star Ruler, Distant Worlds

Never played: Legends of Pegasus, Gemini Wars,

Distant Worlds, two stars? Interesting. Out of curiosity, why no more than that?

I agree that these games shouldn't be called "RTS's". I prefer them to be called "Empire Builder" games.

I've played stardrive now for 50 hours, and quite frankly the only other space game I've enjoyed as much or more is Sins.

This is a fantastic game, even in beta better then most finished games, So fun, so cool. This is the kinda game that when you get into it, you wish there were more hours in the day, and the last game that happend to me with was Sins rebellion.

Isn't it out, now?  General reactions of anybody who has played it, is in this forum?

I'm guessing candido gave DW a 2 star is base DWs. Yes it was painful. Almost all the things that needed cleaning up or negatives are gone. Just want multiplayer for next expansion. Then DWs will be a gem/classic. (though the price tag is still a beast for many)

I can't give people feedback right now but hopefully these videos help- (more are popping up) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnDsbv9iSrE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOEeeISEmoc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xavZ6lipgrI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRHj_Ur78e0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EzMc0Ytlyg

!

Same with me. But then again, i have not played anything else beyond Sins and StarDrive. No SotS, Legends of Pegasus, Endless Space, etc... they are all turn-based i think and i like my games real-time. Not to mention, each of the other games had other flaws, be it hardcore mechanics or shit presentation....

Anyway, i finally got a grasp of how economy works (way more complex than Sins, but now i got the basics, its does not feel as confusing as before), designed my first cruiser and currently prepping army for invasion. Just need to research the troop invasion related stuff and the Vulfen are going to pay!

What's still missing from the game?

And how's diplomacy? I really like a raft of options, a smart diplomatic AI, and good feedback to let you know why an AI player is doing something or reacting in a certain way.

I bought the beta of Stardrive and didn't like it. Luckiy since it was through Steam and still in beta they gave me refund credit. The pacing of the whole game just feels wrong to me and I didn't like it all really. There's some decent concepts in it, but it's no MoO and it's damn sure no Gal Civ. My advice to anyone is unless you really think Stardrive looks that good then stay away from it. I didn't enjoy it.