So addictive, I got a C in dynamics my Junior year......
Loved the ability to design your own ships - Graphics were great for the day, and you catch on quickly.
I have some of the sounds downloaded like "Access Granted" - I don't agree with the Gamespot review, since all you have to do is pause and you can control everything, then unpause and watch your plans unfold. The ending does suck though - when you win, you just see a win screen saying you've conquered the universe. End of game. Would have been nice to see some kind of pan-view of a massive fleet moving off into the distance - Star Wars style -
Couple of hints - use your transports early on to build a fighter carrier fleet. use guerilla tactics, add 2 liters of coke and 4 hours, and you win. Just keep these lightly armored ships out of harm's way.
For planets guarded by mines, instead of picking through them, take a fast scout with a minesweeper and send him zigzagging into the mines toward the planet. When you break free, head back out to the upper right corner while the mines in range track you, and then move around the rest of the screen, effectively taking them out of the fight. Send the rest of your bomber fleet in and annihilate planet - just watch out for the long trail of mines.