Full package vs base game

[Kador01]

I am wondering, if I buy the entire package with all the dlc as I am leaning towards, will it be significantly different in gameplay than if I just start out with the base game and add the dlcs later? Will I be missing out on anything?

I hate the way Steam deals with dlcs and gives you no choice about whether or not you want to install them all at once.

I guess the main question is... is it possible or even desirable to play the core game as if the expansions are not actually installed?

Looking at the wiki, the base game alone seems like it has a huge amount of detail to take in for a brand new player, let alone throwing in 4 expansions on top of it in the first play of the game.

[Polytope]

No, the game play is not significantly changed, but the expansions add over a hundred new ships, new ai types, new map types etc. You don't have to play with all the expansions enabled. You can choose which ones you want active during any given game. I prefer to have all the content, but I wouldn't enjoy the game less if i only had the base game. The thing is, everything is so cheap that there is just no reason not to get the full package.

[Kador01]

Thanks. As long as I can enable or disable the expansions then there is no problem. I just didnt want the gameplay to be significantly different without any way to revert it to the core features if desired.

I agree that its so cheap the whole package is the best option, as long as everything is configurable.
Not all games work that way and its not always preferable to have all dlcs installed. Steam unfortunately doesnt give you that choice if the developer doesn't build it into the game.