High poly count,sure,but the whole game suffers because of it!
It no good having all these pretty assets if looking at them tanks your framerate!?
The lack of high poly count assets in other games isn't due to the lack of ability to make them,it's their usability in a gaming environment.
For instance,in ED the designers of the ships have a poly count they must adhere to,i'm assuming SC put no such limitations on the developers.
ED: maximize poly count to a degree that ensures smooth and consistent gameplay
SC: maximize poly count no matter the cost or consequence
as long as you stay with the black text SC wins ^^