Extremely time consuming (in a good way), but few missions in main quest and only one sandbox mode limit value.
+ More than one way to meet most needs
+ Humorous computer companion
+ Pace of most missions is good
What didn't:
- Too few missions
- Neither the documentation nor the tutorial help you play well
I purchased this game on the cheap from an old games website (it was part of a special deal). I haven't liked every city building game I've played (often the pacing is off), but I was intrigued by the idea of playing on a space station.
My first gripe was that I often had no idea how to achieve the next objective. We're not talking about "raise 10,000 credits however you see fit", we're talking "build a building" in the first mission. It is annoying to have to figure out how to play a game when both a user manual and a tutorial exist but simply don't show you the shortcuts you need to succeed.
In the other hand, figuring out better ways to do the same old tasks makes them more enjoyable, which is good, because you'll find yourself building your station based on the same template every time. This is really what limits the sandbox mode: there is no incentive to try new strategies because nothing in-game ever makes a new strategy better than the one you used last time (barring the times you were figuring the game out).
That leaves the missions. This is the only time when there is a different way to succeed: achieving the stated objective. They are varied, but there aren't many of them (approximately 13, I don't clearly remember) so you'll soon be done.
Still, while it lasts this game provides more entertainment per dollar than many a flashier, newer game.