Ever since it came out I tried - often and hard - to like Rebellion. The last time I tried was when it was released at GOG not too long ago. I... just can't get into it. There's something entirely off-putting in the game mechanics for me that I can't quite put my finger on, and this is coming from someone who actually enjoyed Master of Orion 3.
Yeah, it's not for everyone, perhaps not a great game. Can be super micro-management heavy though, what with having to send spies on your own planets, enemy planets, neutral planets, make sure you have enough mine & refinery combos and those planets are defended as well as planning offensives, etc. The AI helps by being really dumb Certainly is the kind of game that some one should take another crack at, though