Yes, this is indeed a thinkers game. Chess comes to my mind when thinking of SEIV, but SEIV is a lot more fun and has a lot more freedoms. It does sound like this fellow was looking for the fast paced, shoot em up type game with quick results. Not everyone is cut out for SEIV and games that are like it (if there are any like SEIV - I'm not a gamer so don't know what is out there in gamedom).
In reply to Atrocities question, I think I would have just explained that I feel he was looking for a different game than what SEIV can offer. Then maybe explain the concept of SEIV to him and why lots of people have enjoyed the game for many years. And add that just because he did not enjoy SEIV this does not make a game lousey or however he put it. Lots of games I do not enjoy, but I can see they are great games considering what they offer, playability, reliability, and quality.
This is my two cents worth.
