The name doesn't bother me but by your description Stars out of the Shadows would make more sense.

I enjoy Stellaris as a 4x game. Yes combat isn't very tactical but it is strategic.
Sins was more of a RTS than a 4x and though was well done it didn't really hold my interest.

EL was better than ES, both games were well made but I found them to be not very deep.
EL was a good distraction from Civ but I feel Civ was the stronger game of the two.

Moo:CtS I wanted to love but found disappointing. Its not that it strayed from open space and turn based combat as there are 4x ...