I love CoH & CoH:OF would this game be even remotely like it?
I think so. CoH and OF are my only other PC games I play atm and I think SoaSE uses a lot of the same logic that CoH games do. You have to create a balanced set of forces slowly and caputer points carefully and tech up as you play to make sure you can counter your enemy as you go.
SoaSE is not as tactical as CoH, less emphasis on where you units fight (in cover, in buildings, etc) and more emphasis on empire planning so researching techs that have your factories crank out more materials, researching tech that makes your ships more powerful etc.
I like both games if that means anything. I prefer SoaSE atm because there appears to be more ways to fight against your enemy. It's a larger battlefield but uses a lot of the same strategies. You take planets so you can earn more resources, you eventually run into your enemy and start fighting for control of forward points (planets). CoH has shorter games though, the points system in CoH makes sure games do not drag on forever but SoaSE games can go on a long time. But it never gets boring.
It's a thrill trying to predict where your enemy will attack and being ready for it at all times.