Storyline: It's interesting. The characters go out to explore the galaxy, hopefully finding a suitable new place for earthlings to live. Well, that is they would be if the earth hadn't blown up minutes after they took off. Actually, we really don't know what actually happened to the earth, as it's never really presented on screen, save for a lone comment about how it isn't there.
Whatever the case, I think the storyline moves a bit too fast. There isn't too much of a build up between getting their orders and then flying in space. I would have like to have learned about the Commander a bit more, (Perhaps he will be included in future expansions).
The plotline though is pretty cool and I wonder what is in store for the characters.
The Characters: I have to say this off the bat: I really don't like Pandora. I don't anyone that stuck up that they demand to have someone move out of a chair when there is a perfectly empty seat right next to it. But she is also all talk and no show. For some reason, I thought Nova was a girl for a few moments, though I was quickly proven otherwise. I really don't have anything to say about Andromeda.
Can I say that I actually prefer the mysterious alien over them? He at least has some morals and some better dialogue.
The Battle System
I just hit Enter repeatedly to speed up the fights. Worked on boss battles too. I did feed them a bandage every once in a while.
The Menu/User Interface
It feels Sci-Fi, which is definitely great. Though maybe I would ditch the high pitched noises, like when you make a selection, as it's kind of annoying. Maybe a lower volume will do it.
The Environment
I feel like there should actually be more parts to the actual spaceship. Unless they'll be spending most of their time on this planet. Consider adding a few more rooms- Crew Quarters, A mess hall and kitchen, and then the actual things like an Engine room and the Bridge. That being said, the Sci-Fi shown here is amazing. The lava planet is also nicely done, though I did feel like it was hard to avoid the lava tiles at times.
Conclusion: It's a great start to a promising game. I think if you draw the story out a bit more and maybe add some character development, it will be amazing. The Battle system can probably get better with additional skills (maybe a healing skill or some such). And man...Pandora sure does look different when starting Chapter 2.