I've been in both games from start (almost). SC is wonderous and way beyond ED in immersive surroundings.
But..
Pew, pew players from ED might quite like SC pvp, therefore stick around. But explorer types from ED will not fair so well.
I think you could spend lots of time in SC as a pew, pew player, however explorers will spend a month or so and want to move on, or move back.
There is no doubt when first getting into SC there is that awe feeling that you don't get in ED, but it doesn't last that long. The graphics are great, you do feel like you could live in SC, but I think, like I said, if your one for exploring and getting out there and away, it won't keep you for long after that awe feeling wears off.
If a halfway is what your looking for, whereas you can see and walk the interior of your ship etc. Visit huge numbers of planets (endless really) and find lore and alien races and do more or less all you could in ED ie. trade, mine, explore, make alliances or enemies, then Empyrion is probably a good one to go for. But not survival Empyrion, I suggest Empyrion your own way. That means building a ship, equiping it with whatever you need for your journey and exploration and then putting it into survival mode.
So you start more or less with the ship you want... because you built it. Of course you can get ships from the w/s and start that way, if building isn't your thing. But either way it is a great alternative to ED & SC.
Now graphic wise Emp isn't as good as ED or SC, but it's different, so they suit the game. It's not NMS style, but more realistic. I think trying Emp is a great option to get lost in and enjoy, it's a gem of a game that even I have underated before, but grown to love.
