Just got off from a game as the Vodyani. It's funny how I used to hate to play with them, but are now kind of my favorite!
Always playing on endless difficulty and all other settings on standard (exept 10 competitors), their incremental efficiency curve, the initial focus on essence to develop into whatever playstyle you prefer depending on the victory you choose to pursue... with the right amount of precise and focused moves in the first 80-100 turns you can have so much fun, and win. This time around, I didn't want to get beaten by the Lumeris in economy like my previous game. I didn't have a victory type in mind, I just wanted to drag the game as long as I could and non let the AI win. I ended up winning by economy (I noticed it's almost impossibile not to with the Vodyani) around turn 220-230... but I DESTROYED the Lumeris. Built up 5 huge fleets reaching 30 cp during the invasion, all energy modules of course given the buffs on the Vodyani heroes (which I make sure to recruit ALL during gameplay and set as commanders) and systematically torched all of their systems. Ended up sending 2 Arks to the ones with most planets. Take that.

I find the game generally way more fun from turn 200 onwards, once everything is set and in place, and industry is no more an issue. Unfortunately, that's when the game starts to "end", either by you or the AI. I wish there was some mechanic to have the same gameplay that happens at Normal speed, but somehow extend the action to 400-500 turns. 

You could disable all victories except Elimination? ;D

You mean conquest? Yeah sure I mean, the game options make the difference of a match, and ES2 truly wants you to customize all aspects of it for your max enjoyment. But I would feel like a bit of a cheater. I just want the hardest stuff thrown at me, and still manage to make it. So basically my playstyle (I am currently on 600 hrs +) is just to drag a game as long as possibile, just for the fun of it. My main goal is to stop the AI from winning, it's not winning myself. I know it's kind of weird, but it's just how I have fun. :) Plus based on my playstyle it's either science or economy, since I always make sure to have almost all the systems required for conquest exept one.

All of this happens only if I'm playing with Empire or Vodyani, which are the ones I actually know how to play. A little bit with the Vaulters... but that's it, I'm still a total sucker with the other factions! :)