Great game, great feel, and just an overall well-made RTS, set in a Universe that couldn't be much more fitting.
But honestly, that learning curve does this game justice. It is difficult to approach, difficult to master, and just downright difficult to pick the teeth of. And for this game... it works! It really does work. I don't have to talk about graphics. They are not an integral part of Armada II's experience... because the graphics are so stellar for it's time, that they're seamlessly integrated into the game's scope.
Each Race, in and of themselves, without any re-tension as to resources/unit's; are completely the same. They play the same, they move the same, and, and in the gist of it all, they think the same. But they're architecture, they're bonuses, and they're special weapons make each race sinister, malicious, cunning, and devastatingly unique.
Placement of unit's don't just work on a X, Y Axis, like your "conventional" RTS games. There are bonuses to having leveled attacks, and there are even stances, or in other words "unit arrangements", that complement these. And as unit's range from Artillery to up close and down-right bloody close combat, being able to meticulously work the X, Y, AND Z Axis is not only a challenge, but, its a fun one to have the ability to make.
My beef's with the game, are the lack of full and equal intro's, explanations, and tutorials for all the races, and a full race campaign compliment for each galactic power in the Star Trek Universe would have added a lot more sustenance.
Star Trek Armada II - A must play with a steep learning curve, and a bit of "pre-peeled potato" user-intro feel... but, a must play none-the-less.