I was disappointed by the lack of scientifically aspects that the game once promised in 2005. But when I bought it, I was addicted, constantly making species after species, perfecting my methods and eventually creating an empire so large that the Grox weren't even feared. Then our pure strength collapsed upon itself, creating a need to place a colony elsewhere.
I play it occasionally, but not a whole lot now that I never re-installed it on my main comp.