I have noticed in the video releases that weapon impacts do not have any visible effect on the ships.
It almost looks like every ship is brand new, with no visible damage or it is exploded.
It seems to me that ships should have some visible damage on their surface that accumulates once any shields are down, and the hull starts taking damage.
Additionally, It would add to the realism if there was some rocking / jarring etc of the ships taking damage if the ship taking damage is zoomed close enough to make it visible.
I am super excited about Sins of a Solar Empire II!