The game in general is quite addictive, but the thing I hate about it is that the graphics could be clearer.
Single Player is probably the hardest part of the game, as in Instant Action you can modify the game to suit your self, such as "how long it takes for ships to build" and "Unlimited Resources". You begin with fighting off the "Borg". Which is probably the hardest team to fight, especially for begginers to the game. The missions will last longer if you do not have experience in strategic operations, until eventually the Borg will destroy your base and bang! your gone.
Instant Action:
This Mode of the Game, allows players to customize almost anything about the battlefield, espeically in Version 1.1 (Patch found on GameSpot), you can customize, what enemies your up against, the amount of resources available, the map that you play on or even how long it takes for a ship to come out of the yard. This is personally my favourite game mode. If you are using Modifications, this is the game mode you would use them in.
Multiplayer:
Multiplayer is similar in every way to instant action mode, with the obvious exception that you can play other people online. (Unless you are using an illegal copy of the game, i.e. a Torrent file.)