I have to somewhat agree with the statement.

RNG is heavy all around starting with home system balancing . - factions and luxuries are unbalanced, minor faction quests can either be instant assimilation or unachieveable, you can even have academy really close to your home system while other's don't.

This game was for instance pretty much decided by RNG galaxy layout by turn 15.

Of course it should be a contest over who can better overcome the difficult odds, but if one player has just no difficulties to overcome he can easily get 10 fast turns ahead. Or double the FIDSI income from turn 1 and keep it double till the end of the game.

There could be 2-3 more galaxy shape generation options that are mirrored completely based on how many factions are gonna play. That way there will always be options to create "perfect" balance as far as map layout is concenred.