(although I am a bit annoyed that the models default to all caucasians on one faction and all POC on the other - but only a bit).

I hadn't noticed that. However, Spooky just pointed out that the Guardian races all all northern hemisphere, and the Defiants southern, so it does make some sense.

Plus, apocalyptic magitech time travel in the first ten levels made me squee a bit.

I, too, did squee.