So did any of y'all get this?
I bought it day one, partially because OMG Microsoft again! But mostly of course because of the kind of game it was. I really, really tried to love it. I played the strategy layer diligently, tried to scout convoys, intercepted messages, planned routes carefully, split my fleet, all that fun stuff.
...and it was all completely ruined by the actual combat. I can handle difficult, I don't mind a challenge, but the combat is so unforgivably brutal I just couldn't look past it. My main complaint is not only are the enemy AI basically aimbots, but also when you lose/withdraw a ship you have literally no idea where your next ship will spawn - but they do, and you take a pummelling the second you spawn. If you're in a light ship that's usually half your armour gone immediately. It was so frustrating that I eventually rage-uninstalled. With the possible exception of Shadow Empire I've never tried so hard to love a game in my life, but it just wasn't to be.