It is basically a 4X, but contrary to most other ones, there is no economic engine to optimize. Almost all of the decisions are how you plan to destroy your opponents. In order to help with that, all your fleets are played face down, until contact, and your tech choices are secret until used (you can develop large ships, mines, fighter wings and carriers, or stealth ships, + supporting technologies to make your ships faster, stronger, or more durable).
And here is the BGA version: I play as Red, so I have information about my fleets, but not about green fleets (he is mostly dead at this point, though, and preparing for a final stand on his homeworld).
https://en.boardgamearena.com/gamepanel ... aceempires
Sadly, the BGA version doesn't cover the expansion (special alien techs, a few new techs, like death stars and boarding ships, and most importantly, different starting races that each have a specific ability), but it is a very good implementation.
If someone is up for a 1v1 or 2v2 teaching asynch game, I'd be glad to play!
