Are you talking about SEIV?? The modded AI in SEIV is very good, and will comfortably brat me far more than the much-vaunted AI in GalCiv. Try TDM.
In SEV, yes, it was terrible, but again, I bet there's some reasonable mods out there.

Yes I know there is a strong mod community for SE games, but, I am just not willing to keep trying mods to fix the game to a condition it should have already be...in?
I remember even asking the developer (don't remember his name, but it was at the official forum at the time), about the AI and how bad it is and he told me that this is what MODS are for...I mean...WTF, then why did I pay money to Malfador for the games?
Of course I am going to touch any SEVI lol...
Apart form Star Fury, I like my Star Fury.

Absolutely fair criticism. Just letting you know that if you enjoyed yhe game bar the AI, there were mods that make it much, much harder.
TDM modpack for SEIV - with individual race AIs - is available here:
http://tdm.otaku42.de/

I played it a few hours. Couldn't really get into it, it just felt a bit boring and generic to me. Didn't have anything that really grabbed me. I played it close after it was released, so things might have improved.
TBH I'd much rather recommend Distant Worlds, but that costs twice as much.

Distant Worlds is not turn based, right? That kills it for me.
I don't know how you found Armada generic, different ships and ships' capabilities for each race, different victory conditions for each race,, different living environments, diplomacy, etc. If you already have the game, I suggest trying the latest 1.3 patch and sticking with the game for a couple of hours at least.

I am not going to, but thank you very much.
I rather play one of the other 4X games I have, including of course Armada 2526.

That is actually not a problem, it's not like Sins. Basically you play a little, then you pause and think about your next moves. When I play, I end up in pause mode far more than I am in real time mode.
But I understand if people don't like the real time aspect. It is a shame because Distant Worlds is by far the most interesting space based 4X-game I've played in many years.
Maybe I will. Right now Distant Worlds is taking most of my time.

I am looking at Distant Worlds, but I think I will wait just a little longer to let them patch it up a bit.
Also, I am hoping they will have a sale on it some time soon. :o)

Distant Worlds is brilliant. It's hard to describe it, but for me it's like Europa Universalis or Hearts of Iron 2 in space (which is great in my book). Really nice game, though you have to play with the right mindset to really enjoy it.

The thing with real time in grand strategy games is, I find it stupid.
Same with the Europa Universalis series which IMO would be much better if they were turn based.
If the game requires the player to pause all the freaking time, then get over it (developers) and make it turn based as it begs you to do.
I have enough shit in my life to have to worry in a strategy game if I paused the game fast enough to save my empire. Not to mention the waste of time/movement/calories say it as you want, of having to press spacebar (or whatever key) all the time, or moving to the pause button with the mouse every few seconds.
(frustrated they made Distant Worlds real time)
As for Sins, I don't think we should even discussing it/comparing it with 4X games.

Thank you. I knew about the mods but never tried them, thinking how much could they really change? I will give them a try now. :)
I am speaking of both SE4 and Se5.

Let me ask you both. Which media did you purchase when you bought the DW (CD or Digital Download)?
I would like to buy it but was not sure if it is a simple exe file to install or if there is an installer required.
I guess I am wondering if it is more user friendly via CD or digital download.
Any help would be great to help make a decision; Thanks.

I don't have the game.
Unless they changed it over the last couple of months, all MatrixGames downloads come in a single file "package". No special installers or activations. You do need a key though to install it and patch it.

I bought it by digital download. You get a link to download a self-contained installer exe (no third-party applications needed), and the installer asks for a serial to install the game (no online activation, just a simple key check - patches also request the key). You can backup the installer at will, and though the download link may expire after a while, I've heard you can ask Matrix Games to renew the download link at any time, should you need it.
So, it's pretty user-friendly, at least for me.

Let's face it, apart from GOG, it's the most user-friendly and DRM light option there is.

Thanks guys.
I went ahead and bought Armada 2526 and I will pick up Distant Worlds in about a month I think.
Thus far I think Armada is a decent game. IT is not going to win any awards I do not think, but it is a good 4x game. I like turn based so it well for me.