Not as pretty? Do you think graphics are all that make a good game? And no, it is not all that similar to Sins. Sins is a RTS with a few 4X elements. SotS is a full turn-based 4X game with real-time combat. Plus SotS has real-time projectile tracking with per-polygon hit detection, Newtonian physics for ships and projectiles (ballistics and lasers can and will bounce off armor if they hit at the right angle), a deeper tech tree than Sins's, plus very distinctive races up to and including different tech tree chances, HP, speed, ship designs, and different methods of FTL travel. IMO SotS > Sins.