Space exploration games?

Freelancer. It's seriously the best game of that type I've ever played, you can do cargo runs from one planet that sells an item low to another that buys the item very high, you can be a bandit and attack cargo ships, it's a pretty awesome space game. There's also a ton of galaxies to explore and the best thing about it IMO is LAN gaming, seriously, I've spent days playing that game. Also, the combat is spectacular, it feels very natural and smooth.

 

I think you mean star systems.

 

Hmm? Maybe it was just solar systems, I haven't played it in a while anyways. But, otherwise, good game, lots of solar systems.

 

A good space exploration RPG/RTS/test-based/everything game is Space Rangers 2. The game is 3rd person and turn-based.

 

X3 reunion is pretty good in that regard. Just expect the learning curve to kick your ass.

 

Top-down rather. The only thing that can be third person is the planet based RTS segments.
It's still an awesome awesome game though.

 

X3 Reunion is pretty good ( and looks fine ) but it is rather complicated and the combat is not that good ( and you are fighting the "khaaks", which is pronounced like "cocks" ). Freelancer is GREAT and has a nice online mode. Darkstar One is a sort of modern Freelancer, it is good but I still prefer Freelancer ( probably because of the online ).


So, Freelancer ftw.

 

I tried X2 but hated it due to being constantly interrupted by the awful story with horrible voice acting and truly hideous characters. One dose of Chinny McChin Steroid the main character was enough for me.
Does X3 improve on that?

 

Space Rangers 2 is great, you should try it.

Another master piece is Independence War 2 Edge of Chaos, Aka I-War 2. A game with the Elite and Privateer style with a great story. The best Sci-Fi sim since I-War 1.

Regards

 

ELITE

One of the best games ever! Freelancer doesn't even come close, dawgunnit!

 

Test I-War 2. Believe me.

 

Not really...The English Version is OK but the French one plain sucks because of terrible voice acting, missing sound files etc... The story is not really good either but the career modes are better than the campaign. Overall it is still a good game but I really prefer Freelancer though.

 

Agreed. I could never get into the X games at all.

Freelancer is pretty sweet, even with flaws.

I don't really think there are any exploration focused space sims...

 

AFAIK, the team behind Freelancer included some of the people behind the glorious PRIVATEER games. That might be another indication as to why this game is so awesome.

 

Both Freelancer and X3 are fun games, however, it should be noted that X3 is FAR deeper then Freelancer. In fact, while Freelancer is more of a space shooter with some basic trade elements thrown in, X3 is almost an economic simulator with star ships.

In X3 there is a dynamic market, and the player can own, control, and build hundreds of ships and factories of all different types. From trade ships to heavily armed capital ships. And going back to the dynamic market, you as the player can find holes (AKA opportunities) in the market and then fill them, either by trading or if you have more money, just building a factory there to fill the need. Its quite possible to build an entire trading empire in the game, in fact. Or a military empire, for that matter.

However, due to this complexity X3 has a somewhat steep learning curve, and as others have said the voice acting and character models are generally atrocious.

Still, if you are interested in a deep and complex space combat/trading/empire building X3 might be the way to go. If not, then Freelancer has an interesting plot and pretty good voice acting, its just too bad that you can only control one ship in it.

 

If you don't mind action you might look up Tachyon: The Fringe.

It has Bruce Campbell.

 

X games have a terrible grid space map, I don't like.
I-War 2 is a game with great story, freedom for exploring, improve your base and ship, commerce, piracy and an impressive ambience and music.

Really, is one of the best games I have ever played.

I-War 1 also was great, but it's difficult to run on modern computers.

Regards