I don't have GC4 yet as my circa 2012 computer is on deaths door and won't run it and something about a global pandemic made replacing it a pita (SOOON)

But.... are diplomatic or research still a viable victory path?     if conquest is the only viable way to win the game...  then the civs are not the issue...  the game balance is.

That's interesting that Prestige Vic is possible without expanding.  That definitely adds a wrinkle in potential ways to win.  That's good to know.

Mimot: yea, I think food should be more of an important system generally speaking.  After all, if you can't eat - you don't have an empire..

Well, I realize this is still the beta builds... but one would hope they balance that.

It is FUN to go out and war monger... but it is also fun to sit back turtle and win via other methods...   all routes must have viable races/options..  

For me, the Navigators and the Xeloxi are the hardest to play. It's almost like playing at a higher difficulty level. I almost put a warning on them "Not intended for beginning players".

The Mimot are the true villian of the galaxy of course and everytime I start beside them I die a little inside. They are getting a little nerf in the next update (less food on their homeworld, higher food consumption) because I want Mimot players to worry about keeping their little furry monsters fed.

The Manti are my person favorite just because all their Command ships are survey ships. I try to get 3 good leaders into command ships early and start bringing in those sweet sweet bonuses.

The Iconinans are weak or OP depending on map settings. Map settings also greatly impact the Corporate Sector and the Baratak.

Yeah, that's a good point on the Navigators.