If you like turn-based 4x games, check out the series. I'm a big fan of Space Empires IV, and am looking forward to Sapce Empires V (still in production). The only downside is that the series is lacking in the eyecandy department, although it makes up for it in depth of gameplay.

Sword of the Stars looks really nice, I am interested, but I sure hope it runs on my system these days, heh. I got X3: The Reunion and have yet to get it to work on my antiquated machine, though She Who Will Be Obeyed has decreed that her machine is even older and mine woud make a nice upgrade for hers if I were to build another one of a more modern bent.

Space Empires IV (and earlier ones in the series) is just flat addicting. I think the add of a variable tech tree may make SotS interesting and it doesn't really require me to use the Real Time fighting, I am just too old and slow for real time anything anymore.