Valerius Board Game First Impression Review

About Valerius, from BoardGameGeek:

Millions of years ago the planet Valerius was once the jewel of the galaxy, filled with an abundance of resources and home to a grand civilization known for its advanced technology. Suddenly, a massive asteroid slammed into its surface, tearing the planet apart. From this destruction arose a thousand moons, each carrying the shattered remnants of Valerius' golden age. With the promise of a new life and the chance to unlock the mysteries of a forgotten civilization, aliens from across the universe flocked to these moons forming moon colonies. As the colonies continued to evolve and adapt, they developed the technology needed to stabilize the mother planet and harvest Valerius' untapped resources essential for the advancement of their own worlds. This race to the top ignited an epic interstellar war, where each species now fights fiercely to claim the riches and secure their future among the stars. The battle rages on, with the fate of the entire galaxy hanging in the balance. Will your civilization survive? The battle is on. TO WIN As the leader of a moon, players must hire alien mercenaries to extract resources from the planet, while engaging in battle with rival moon colonies who also attempt to advance their civilizations. To win, be the first player to collect 21 Vallerium. —description from the publisher