Damn, this game is at the AAA '21 released price range. It has been released in 2014. Wonder if it is that good. Must pass for now. Diablo 2 resurrected is about to be there in no time...I've been going through all the space strategies in the last year (and haven't really found something that would be as good as Distant Worlds) and it is one of the more enjoyable ones, if you can't into Stellaris like me.
About Paradox games... No-brainer those so-called grand strategies are all of the same kind (maybe except the Victoria series - it requires more witts than any other IMO). All are so hard to learn but later on - it is just coloring the map. I fully agree with what you said about wining conditions - you must set up goals for yourself. I first played EU III and HOI3. I couldn't stand playing EU but HOI - this game swallowed and spit me out. I decided to sacrifice much time learning how to play it. I believe I have around 2k-3k hrs played in all of them (CKII, EU3&4, HOI3&4, Stellaris, Victoria) and still not sure if it was/is worth the hassle Truly a paradox of some sort...