I agree, it's earlier than I expected, especially if you go off of their Progress page ( http://endless-space.amplitude-studios.com/Progress ). But I've been enjoying what I've played so far, and look forward to the release next week.
I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Super Mario 64. That will always be at the top of any list of games that I have. I think most of the Mario games have been quite memorable (besides Super Mario Sunshine, that water backpack gimmick never did it for me). I don't have a 3DS yet, but am tempted to get the 3DS XL in August, just to play the Super Mario game (and Kart). Heaven forbid Nintendo ever get out of the hardware business, but I think Mario on the
I do think that the cloth map definitely deserves some more love. There's no way to see where you can put a harbor for transport boats (without going back to the regular view, and back to cloth map), and there's no delineation between a hill that you can move on and a mountain that you cannot. I enjoy the cloth map, just think it could use some tweaks to make it even better. I know it's not one of the main problems with the game, and there are other issues to address, but if
I like it. If it lives up to the high standard you've already set (GC II, SOASE) we're in for a good time.