I’m currently on NG+8 (at 120 hours played) I think and it’s funny how i’m becoming like the other starborn just rushing all the artifacts and not caring about anything. I could probably do it in two hours per but I do get distracted.
Currently level 75-ish (can’t remember exactly) and I do get sucked into at least upgrading weapons, and in the Starborn Guardian the final space battle can be rough so I also end up getting the Razorleaf and working on getting it to C class stuff. But realy the upgraded weapons aren’t necessary, can usually find a good-enough weapon getting the artifacts.
But the artifact chase means there’s no point in building anything as it’ll just be gone. Sometimes I think I’ll chill on this run, but then i’ve gotten all the artifacts and it’s close enough to finishing one more time that I eventually just go for it.
I’ve become just like the other starborn - building relationships is pointless, interacting with merchants is annoying. Phased Time VII is godlike - these stupid mortals need to get out of my way.
I felt the same way almost immediately after my first go through the Unity. Played in the new universe for a couple hours before deciding to reload a save from before the transition, and made the opposite choice. Some of the conversations you have at the Lodge after choosing to stay are pretty poignant, so I'm glad I got to see that.
I'll probably go full into NG+ at some point, but wanted to more fully experience my original universe first. Plus, it's way easier to get those final research projects and max out a few choice skills when I have millions of credits and a boatload of materials gathered off of an entire campaign. I highly doubt I'll have those levels of resources available again.
Fortunately the research doesn't need to be redone. I spent a decent amount of time in the first world and now I'm rushing more or less to 10th because I vaguely remembering hearing something happens. Then I might settle down, although I'll be pretty OP (I kind of am now, some more points in to ship to ship combat for the final battle I think is all that is needed to just rush straight thru)