Archangel,
Get the Gold Version. It is a nice evolutionary upgrade. The TDM mod is still a "must install", from my point of view, but the game itself is much more stable and has some new features. Use the rebate offer if $'s are a major issue.
I play alot of other games but I still keep coming back to SE4. As far as strategic level space conquest war games go, it is, "simply the Best!"
*Quote stolen from an old Tina Turner tune.
