Space flight simulation game?

[Kratenser]

Im looking for a game which matches this description, and I hope someone knows something which fits the bill.

I want a game that lets me pilot a ship around space, only I want full manual control of the craft, not just "right click and watch it fly there". I would love to fly through space, find planets, maybe have some trading and combat involved (etc) but thats minor, in reality i just wanna fly around space.

Preferably i would like to to handle like a flight simulator, like as in the camera is in the cockpit and it feels tricky, and yet rewarding to play.

I tried EVE online because I had heard it fit this description. Yeah i could fly around space and shoot at random targets but, it didnt really feal that i was in control of my ship. It felt more like an RTS than anything else. There was nothing wrong with EVE, it was fun enough but, it wasn't what i was looking for

If anyone knows anything that sounds like this then please let me know!

 

[Iwata]

Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos is a good bet. It has Newtonian physics and it's a blast to fly. It also allows for a lot of exploring and free-range flying. I'd safely recommend it above Freelancer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FKjszHQI9w

 

[number2301]

Frontier First Encounters, Frontier: Elite 2 and Elite are all free downloads now and are kind of genesis for what you're talking about. For an updated version try D3D FFE - http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/FFE_D3D

Although they are VERY old. I've not found a modern game which matches up in any way to those games. The X series (X3 being the newest) is a bit rubbish imo (I HATE jump gates) but probably worth a look.

You could also have a look at Vendetta Online, which is a pretty good MMO.

 

[viranimus]

Yeah its sort of sad when a genre is so wilted that Star Trek Online has arguably the best space combat of recent memory, and no it wasnt great. Just recent.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Ok you want space flight sim? Try Orbiter. Basically MS Flight Sim, but with Space. No combat, but lots of space flight. You want control? You better have paid attention in Physics classes because you'll need a firm grasp of orbital mechanics to do any thing except take off.

Cool thing is it's free so give it a shot.

 

[Aircross]

Freespace 2

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/freespace_2

Good old WWII dog fighter combat...

...IN SPACE!

 

[falcon1985]

Freespace 2

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/freespace_2

Good old WWII dog fighter combat...

...IN SPACE!

This very many times. Best game I ever played, especially with he Source Code Project enhancements.

Also X3 Terran conflict. You can fly around space, trade, build spacestations and, as the tittle kinda gives away, fight. But you can fight in fighters or in anything up to a fully armed battleship. It does take a bit of a time commitment though.

 

[LordLundar]

And if you're strapped for cash, there's a neat one called I've Found Her based off of the Babylon 5 series. It uses Newtonian physics which can be disorienting until you get the hang of it and best of all, it's free.

http://ifhgame.ru/main/

 

[wgreer25]

Freespace 2

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/freespace_2

Good old WWII dog fighter combat...

...IN SPACE!

This, exactly this. I was a big fan of the space combat sims, this was by far the best.

 

[Sebster 105]

Orbiter
http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/

 

[Rylot]

Darkstar One. I've got it for the 360, not sure what other systems it's on (it sounds like you're on PC)

You do pilot from a small craft from the cockpit. You do have to fly around space and trade things and shoot raiders. There is a story line but it allows for quite a bit of exploration and side missions. The controls are probably a bit more arcady than what you're looking for and the combat can get pretty easy, but I enjoyed it.

 

[LorienvArden]

I wouldn't recommend EVE as a "flight sim" as it'S mostly a RPG with bombastic economic possibilites.
Independence War 2 was one of my favorite space sims - it has a great environemt and really nails the pirate-genre.

Also, keep an eye out for Infinity - the quest for earth.
http://www.infinity-universe.com/Infinity/
I'm following the project for years now, and it is by far the most ambitious and best looking item on the horizon. If you are interested in Eve, but want newtonian flight in your game - THIS is your game.