The ideas are great and if they fixed some key issues, I'd call it a great game.
As it is, there are several issues that they have not fixed. Most particular, is a bug with the AI that makes them hyper focused on Science. They get really advanced tech early, but that costs a lot and tied with the fact that they don't bother building any economic infrastructure, because everything must go to science, they go broke. As a result, their army disbands, and the AI just dies part way through the game.
Therefore I can't in good conscience recommend this game. It's pretty hard in the beginning of each game, but get past certainly 100 turns and it becomes a Civ builder game. If you don't mind that, then go for it. I've lost hope that they'll bother fixing it now, so don't buy it in hopes of change.