Re: compare with the big budgets like CIV3
 

starfleet battles is the best 'board' type space tactical game imho...

starfleet command 3 (and the earlier Versions) are based on it... i think that combat engine is really good, se4 would still have auto combat, but using formations and even some form of 'rule' system like the ship design 'orders'... but more in depth, more along the lines of starfleet battles

(or something else similar)