Have you read my post ?
https://forums.stardock.com/481126/page/1/#3662320
My concerns is the same as yours, what gave Star Control Depth, realism and immersiveness was the realism, the touch of comical aspects made it funny and were welcome, but there is a fine balance that needs to be walked, basing a lot of aspects on a comical world is definately going to alienate the game and make it feel to not be a star control game at all.
The mainship looks fine, actually i just revisited the video again, i like the ship and the blue thrusters awesome, i like the centrifugical centre, that is quite realistic, however a few things, there was something lacking, star control 2's main ship showed the upgrades, hopefully we will have a few motherships to choose from, as we explore the universe and find abandoned relics or technology on planets. it would be really awesome to find an abandoned wrecked ship on a planet or quite a few throughout the galaxy, maybe even one stuck around a magnetar or locked in hyperspace or quasispace, unable to break free, but perhaps the one showcased was just the bare ship without upgrades and will be getting some refinement, i'd like to see more colour personally a star trek ship as an option would look good too. And we have to see more detail on the ship, i want to look at it from the outside and see something glowing, i've seen the ship does have perfectly lit blue thrusters well done, that looks very good), lights blinking on the surface would up the realism, even a number designation, finer details gives it wow factor.
Back to the planets, my views are thoroughly outlined in the link above, they have to keep the planets looking realistic,i do not like the 3d "spikey" planets as shown in the trailer, everything else looks good, the star as is looks perfect well done.
The planets would too if they take away the comical factor, and add moving clouds and storms, dust and rings on the outside of some, space is strange enough as it is as is the planets, no unrealistic stuff needs to be created, real physics is strange, the universe and countless of phenomena, quasars,pulsars,blackholes, posibilities of quasi these are just to name a few, out there it is real strange, the planets out there is strange and the vastness in variety as well as posibilites is mind blowing, this game needs to be based on those real aspects. Anyway i have put forth my views countless of times on this forum and many agreed i just hope they keep the game in line with realism and give us a starcontrol we can really immerse ourselves into.