Satrdock Entertainment recently released a brand new RTS named Sins of A Solar Empire. Set hundreds of thousands of years in the future, with entire solar systems as your battlegrounds. The game revolves around three different factions. You can choose between the economic powerhouse called the TEC (Trade Emergency Coalition), the alien Vasari Empire, or the psionically augmented cult of the Advent. The game can be won several ways: through military actions, diplomatic mastery, or cultural superiority. Each race has a preferred stragety, but can win any way. You can build massive fleets, build up the infrastructure of planets you colonize, create orbital defenses, and establish trade routes with your neighbors. Capital ships you build act like hero units, gaining experience from kills and spending the points on abilities. Research is important. Spend too little on it and you will be outgunned in battle, spend too much and you won’t be able to field enough ships to defend against enemy armadas. This game has a strong learning curve but is highly rewarding. The only downside to the game is the lack of a campaign mode. However, there is scuttlebutt going round Stardock’s forums that an expansion aimed at fixing that very problem is in the works! So, get out to your store of choice and make the choice to pick up a copy of SINS.