If you don't mind...
- Is it possible to choose sides in regards to the main story, or will players simply have to fight the Dominators?
-You can either defeat the Dominators or just do your own thing. It is not possible to become friendly with the Dominators, they will fight if you are near them.
- Does the main story arc and events in it happen in parallel to player input in the gameworld, or can decisions made by the player affect the outcome? I read the part where you commented upon the Dominators opening black holes and attacking planets, as well as the difficulty levels - would preventing them from doing this several times or even liberating planets have a clear effect on how the story advances? Can a side win through player action or inaction?
-There isn't really a main story. Black holes open randomly, sometimes bringing forth a wave of attacking Dominators. Dominators attack random star systems, and are less successful in capturing said system on low difficulties. It is entirely possible to maintain balance in the number of captured systems given a particular difficulty setting and occasional player intervention in defending/attacking the Dominators. If set on high difficulty, most likely the Dominators will eventually capture almost all systems, unless the player can prevent it.
- That ability to block scanners, how is it? Does it prevent ships from identifying your cargo? If so, can it be used in any situation where these checks are made?
-Pirates base their odds of threatening player/other ships by scanning the ship for equipment/cargo. The scanners have a value up to which they can view your ships hold, and blocking scanners simply requires installed counter-measures (shield generators) with a higher value. Blocking these scanners will reduce the number of pirates that try to intimidate you.
- Just how big can a fleet be? Is it limited to ship size or amount? Do you control one single ship in the fleet (as in Sid Meier's Pirates) or can you control one ship and assign crew members with basic AI commands to control other ships?
-I wouldn't call it a fleet, but more of having companion NPCs in a party-based game. Your leadership skill dictates how many others you can hire and boss around. Of course, you are limited by funds (which is not too much of a problem), the others willingness (rank, leadership skill, and current commanders), and the maximum number you can have (somewhere between 3 and 9, single-digits). You have little actual control over others, you can give basic orders, but they tend to run away (land, hyperjump) during intense battles, unless you reissue orders every 30 seconds. Maybe it's just me.
- Can you board ships? If so, is there a combat situation presented to players in order to take over it or is it automated?
-No boarding ships.
- Besides personal gain, is there any sort of profit to be had by simply being an explorer such as being comissioned by a planetary guild to map out uncharted portions of space?
-Sadly, no. SR2 is very exploration-light. Beyond being able to travel to the farthest systems yourself, there is really no incentive to do so.
- What are the perks associated with building bases? What can we use them for? Are they liable to be attacked? If so can players finance defense mechanisms or methods to protect them?
-There is no base building. In RTS planetary-battle-mode, a base (production facility, resource generator and base defenses) is already built for you. There is no option to build anything other than individual robot units, and a few limited defenses (with predetermined placable locations). Outside of the RTS mode, it has zero impact on anything, and you will never use that 'base' again. Quite unsatisfying, so much potential.
If you don't mind I'd just like to know a bit about a couple of things so hopefully it won't take much of your time. With that said...
