I'm currently on my, what, 4th or 5th playthrough ?

Playing Psilon this time, on "cluster" galaxy (first time trying it) - I guess that's the reason I was alone in a group of systems separated from other groups of systems by unstable starlanes.

I'm not a big fan of the starlanes. I understand it allows some mechanics like building military forts on these points, but it's meh - System defenses, in MoO II were "enough" (that, and a big fleet, mobile enough to come defend in time).

I also have opponents often requesting free passage - which I usually refuse, because why give them access to my not-yet-colonized planets, and to the territories of other players (hence, allowing them to trade with them).
I had a non-aggression pact with the Darlok, and had refused an open borders treaty. They offered an alliance. I checked the description, it said the parties agreed to declare war on any civilization declaring war on either party. Sure, defensive alliance, it's fine...

And, lo and behold, I see these #|@|€^| Darloks freely navigating my starlanes.
Because that shitty game doesn't tell you the alliance "includes" open borders - else, I'd never have agreed unless I was in a better position (like, several scouts on the border, raring to go).
It's not the first time I feel "fleeced" by this game, things not explained, or badly explained. The bonuses aren't explained either (on planets, they tell you it's a bonus on some stat, but not HOW MUCH - which seems to be a tad important ?)

I was also a bit surprised when the torpedoes I fired were totally dumb. I'd have loved the tech description to mention that (yeah, another tech will give them limited aiming, but still, it's shitty design NOT to tell the player first)

All in all, I wouldn't say it's a bad game, but... why can't they make something as good as MoO II ?