I have to disagree with your opinion of this game. I've been playing this game for a few years now and love it. I found it when looking for Linux games. So, what was it you didn't like? How long did you play? Did you even get out of training? It's a known fact that the training missions are wordy and slow. Plus not all missions appear until you reach a combat 3 license level. The community is one of the best I've found for an online game. They are usually quite helpful to newbs as well.

I think if you got involved in a multi-player battle or even 1 vs. 1 PvP you'd like it. Usually on Sundays there is a player organized 'Nation War' where 3 or 4 teams of players battle it out which usually comes out to a "last man standing" result. I admit it's not for everyone but what game is?
You should check out the cool plans they have for upgrades and enhancements via. kickstarter. There's a couple of videos to watch showing gameplay and the lead Dev. explaining things. I think you should give it another try. Also its playable on PC, Mac, Linux and Android tablets/phones.
I'd post the link but can't seem to at the moment.
 
I'd also be interested in hearing specifically what turned away the OP from the game; I've found it enough to hold my focus and attention for the better part of a decade.

As far as any comparison with Eve, to paraphrase chief Joseph: "You don't need many words to speak the truth". Often times an apparently simple game holds more depth of strategy than one that carries complex rules.