Amplitude Studios, a subsidiary of Sega, has a number of 4X games that take place in the same universe, which allows for some deep worldbuilding and flavor text if one cares to read it all. The saga of the Endless and how they've helped or hindered various races is a long and convoluted one, stretching across several games, galaxies and dimensions. It isn't necessary to play all the games, but it does add to the enjoyment when you recognize a faction's history -- such as the United Empire, born from the Mezari from Endless Legend and back in the lineup from the first Endless Space game.
The United Empire is one of the starting factions of the core game, and, on the surface, it doesn't look as alien as many of the other choices. The faction is humanoid, and their aesthetic is imperial fanaticism, with their opening cinematic smacking strongly of war propaganda. Like the other factions, they look to the stars for new frontiers -- but unlike the other factions, the United Empire is very flexible.
This is shown in their faction quest. Throughout the quest-line, the player has to choose which political party to favor: Militarist, Industrialist or Scientist. Sticking with Industrialist will keep the United Empire as it is, but going with the Militarist choices turns them into the Sheredyn from Endless Space, while picking Scientist choices turn them into the Mezari from Endless Legend. Each version grants different bonuses, making the United Empire a great faction to play as over and over again. It's not just a mechanical change either, as Emperor Zelevas, the avatar for the United Empire, will change outfits depending upon which faction you pick.
However, the real strength of the United Empire lies in their influence. As with any Endless game, there are resources that need to be produced to effectively progress: Food, Industry, Dust, Science and Influence. Each of these can be increased through system improvements, population bonuses and hero skills. Influence is mostly used to enact new laws and expand a system's sphere of influence -- or, occasionally, as currency for an Academy quest if you have the right DLC.
With the United Empire, Influence is currency that gives them a leg up on all the other factions. From turn one, Influence can be used to buy out system improvements and ships, something that other factions have to spend the game's currency (dust) on -- after they research the right technology. Unlike the other factions, the United Empire can also buy out technological advancements, meaning they can get ahead early on. Additionally, Influence can be used in the marketplace when it's unlocked, which means that a lack of dust isn't an issue.
This combination of influence and industry is what makes the United Empire a formidable opponent and a fun faction to play. Industry production affects how quickly improvements and ships are cranked out. Influence production, meanwhile, creates greater spheres of influence around colonized star systems, which can grant all sorts of other bonuses.
United Empire heroes increase production of both influence and industry on the star system they are assigned to. The more things that are produced under such a hero, the more their level increases and the greater industry they can produce. When done right, it's easy to produce a massive fleet in just a few turns thanks to high industry and influence buyout, which then makes it easy to steamroll your enemies.
As with all Endless games, players need this strong start, as those who don't establish themselves at the very beginning are typically steamrolled by other factions. This is why the United Empire is fun to play and a great faction for beginners; their flexible playstyle, strong industry production and Influence buyout ability allows players to get a firm grip on the game before taking off. The United Empire is presented as an inevitable war machine, ceaselessly producing new units to march onto the galaxy as the gears of industry power them along -- and it is certainly fun to go along for the ride.
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