Imperion

Ok before i start off if you have ever played Travian then you may want to look in to this game.

      Imperion is a free web based game that is very much like Travian except that instead of old world earth you are in space.
      Before you start you have to pick one of three species: Terrans, Xen, or Titans. Terrans are like humans they are adaptable, tenacious, and highly efficient. Xen are like evil aliens they are insect-like, quickly growing with biochemical vigor. Titans are the good kind of aliens they are advanced, fully technological, and defensive.
      Ok so when you start you are given a planet, much like that of a town in Travian. on this planet you have plots that you can build on and one plot for a "fleet base" which is just like a rally spot in Travian. Underneath the plots of land you have all your resources. Your basic resources are crystal, metal, and  depending on your race a type of water. Unlike Travian there is no food to worry about but instead energy. in order to build a building, use your fleet, or use any of your defenses you have to have energy.
     Now lets say you have progressed in the game have your buildings up, have a fleet, and are now ready to expands. First thing that you are going to wont is to look at all your available planets. water, desert, ice, and volcanic. Each of these planets have a certain amount of resources. It is up to you to decide how much of what resource you wont. After you have picked out the planet you wont you have to get a drop ship so that you can settle there. The new planet you have picked will almost always never have the "AEC" that your main planet had so you have to make your own powerplants to use. After that it is just like your first planet.

     My score for Imperion is a nice 4 out of 5. It is very user friendly, easy to start, and easy to maintain. the only thing is if you dont like time based games then you wont like this.

links: Imperion, Travian