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It took me quite a few 'tinker' campaigns to really get it down.
It's a complex simulation for sure. Under the covers, I would not say it is any more complex than DF. Most of the 'complexity' is learning your way through the archaic user-hating interface. Once you are utilizing the ins and outs of the interface and understand the information it is giving you the gamplay follows with a pretty steady learning curve, nothing absurd like learning the interface though.
Im sorry I do not have a link to a guide as I have been out of the loop for a while and am probably a few updates behind with little chance to progress my current campaign. IMHO the best way is to just pick at it, tinker around. I find if I start reading 'guides' I start to power game more using "best way to do this and that" rather than try and make descisions I think my federation would make.
Once you know the game it can be fairly easy to power game and take your opponents out like a game of command and conquer in space. However role playing and watching your expansion is very rewarding.
Writing this I have just remembered a video series I used to keep up with that you may learn a lot from. He knows a lot about the game but at times is learning as well.
Check out Alfapiomega's first aurora series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnYfJ6m68jU
He also has a newer one but he didn't get very far before moving on to other games iirc.
Plug for Alfapiomega: He is awesome. Plays a lot of the more obscure/hardcore roleplay/simulation, roguelikes, strategy games. His voice is easy on the ears and does a good job explaining things and likes to role play and challenge himself. Lots of cool 'let's plays'.
<3 Good day Courtesy | Of | User Virnios