for those who like(d) "master of orion" or "sword of the stars" - .. Endless Space is pretty nice. - no direct control over your ships, but thats no big thing. graphics are pretty epic in space battles and the design is cool, too.
It's a really good game, reminds me a bit of Sins of a Solar Empire, Galactic Civilizations and Lost Empires of the Immortals. The battles are an eye-candy and kind of thrilling ;]