I'm also curious to see how Elemental turns out, this is the first game since MoM that actually has a good chance of bringing improvements over MoM. Unlike all those failed clones/copies that brought a weaker, simplified, far less fun version with updated graphics.
I can't remember how GalCiv 1 was like but I would say it's definitely possible to play peacefully in GalCiv 2, thanks to many diplomatic elements that can help to get good relations with other races. Plus you can bribe other races into going to war with each other, which leaves you in peace
That's the main point where I expect Elemental to be quite different from MoM: the diplomacy section. For all MoM's great qualities, I always felt the diplomacy was its weakest point, with allied wizards suddenly becoming hostile for no apparent reason.
Still have to check Armageddon Empires, I downloaded the demo months ago but haven't gotten around to trying it...