I picked up EGS years ago and I'm just starting to play it. Right now I'm just gathering resources but I don't know what my next steps are supposed to be as far as base or vehicle building goes. NMS looks interesting as well and it's half off on GOG for the next few days.
Does anyone have any experience with these games?
Empyrion is not good. They added a scripted story questline but it's about as crummy as Starbound. The shooting is really bad and the vehicle combat sucks too. Everything is just resource attrition with zero skill. The skillpoint leveling system is also pointless as it's just a recipe unlocker (you will be stuck by mineral availability long after you unlock everything). The game struggles to put together a progression since you need to visit a dozen planets to build anything decent but once you do there's nothing left to see. You can build this mega star destroyer but there is absolutely nothing to do with it. Gear and items are also basic and lackluster, and resource gathering is a massive pain.
Overall I think it's a terrible game and waste of potential. I have more fun with 7 days to Die even though it's a basic zombie/builder it just has a far better gameplay loop to it.
I refunded the game, can fully support your words. Was just not for me and it for the price also.