So this game plays great with a gamepad. Second, the game should be visualized as quite literally a pirate ship game in the sea of space. If you are expecting a space sim, it isn't quite that other than art and setting - which is great. I've only visisted 5 systems in my world and there is at least 4+ racial ship types that I have fought against so far. From fighters to huge capitals. Ship progression (hull) is independant of what guns you have so the progression paths don't step on toes. Thus far there is a main storyline, a couple guilds. I've lost my shields in a nebula storm. The one thing that this games Pirate ship combat has that pirate ship games don't are the following.
1) Missles, Lasers, Mines, Turrets etc.
2) The ship has boost, and there is obviously no space wind.
3) There are a lot more icebergs and reefs in space (asteroid fields, space stations, large capital ships.
4) Deflector Shields - You have both passive shields and deflector shields - the Deflectors prevent offensive firing, but absorb up to an amount of damage. So you flash them on against torpedo's or missle volley's or in evasive situations.
5) Warp Speed, You cover a lot more distance in the sea of space.
Anyways, game is good, I think a few of the last posts while valid in their personal dislike are giving a shaded view of what you should expect from this game and precisely what it delivers (its good so far)