*thread split* Space Sims

Freelancer? It fits most of what you asked for. Maybe the Privateer games too. You can play most space shooters from a 3rd person view if you really want to (with varying degrees of effectiveness).
 
I don't really think there are any 'space sims' in the traditional sense that meet those requirements to the extent that your query suggests to me, particularly with any significant level of [non-core gameplay] depth (micromanagement) before hitting the more tactical, space-themed RTS (RT4X) games, such as the just released Sins of a Solar Empire. I haven't tried it myself, but perhaps Eve Online would fit the bill? I've heard the mercantile aspect is quite sophisticated.

As swaaye suggested, games like Freelancer and Privateer 1 & 2 give you space sim gameplay in a sandbox environment with well-developed universes and basic economies, but in a lighter manner to what I suspect you're ultimately looking for. As you probably know, there's also the minimalist Homeworld 1 (+ expansion) and 2 third-person space RTS's and Nexus (as you mentioned) but they're pretty low on the extra, non-core attributes. Project Earth is a fairly competent Homeworld clone from 2002; I think Haegamonia: Legions of Iron veers a bit more into some of those extras, but I've only played the demo. Rounding out the more RTS-heavy would be Stardock's Galactic Civilisations 1 & 2 (Sins is their new baby) and maybe Conquest: Frontier Wars.

Star Trek: Legacy, Bridge Commander and Klingon Academy should be full of multi-weapon/system combat -- I haven't played Legacy or Bridge Commander, but really enjoyed the gameplay in Klingon Academy. There's also a bunch of Starfleet Command games.

Privateer Online might have fit the bill, but it wasn't to be. Word is that EA have a next-gen Wing Commander title in development... :p
 
Klingon Academy! Thats the game where I blast the hell out of the enterprise, because it makes pretty explosions. Thats definately a game that needs a remake.

As an aside, I wonder when a fully intergrated MMORPG set in space will come about? Spacers, air combat, take command of ships/shooter on the ground, or just operate a turret/fighter. Now thats a MMO that I would like to play.

Think Mech commander+Mechwarrior+Halo+Freespace 2+Allegience+Economy to build it all.

Sigh...
 
Squillam, you may want to check out EVE online. It's not all those things you've listed but the game is being constantly developed and who knows, maybe four years from now it will have some of that stuff.

Meanwhile if you want a MMO without all the 14 year olds Eve is worth a look.
 
Alright, thanks. I will give it a look after I got my backlog of games under control. Still got to finish Warcraft 3!
 
I wouldn't mind a new Nexus game. The battles, gameplay and sound/effects was disgustingly good.
 
My contribution to update thread! :)

X3: Reunion.

X3: Terran Conflict

EVE Online: Dominion.
 
Yes...I bought FS2 (couldn't find my old copy :( ) and installed FS2 Open...so far the graphics aren't too impressive unless I'm not set up right. It's still FreeSpace - which is good - but I'd love to see it updated. I also loaded up one of the Babylon 5 mods...

Nebula: do you have a review for the X3 series?
I have the 14 day free trial of Eve installed and it's nice, but I don't see $15/month worth of gaming in it for me as I'm an hr or so a day max for gaming. Looks quite nice though. Wish they had a single player...
 
heres my commandline for fs2 (features page of the launcher)

F:\Games\Freespace2\fs2_open_3_6_10r-20090106_r5034.exe -mod Mediavps -spec -glow -env -mipmap -missile_lighting -normal -targetinfo -ship_choice_3d -3dwarp -snd_preload -nomusic -ambient_factor 35 -ogl_spec 20 -spec_exp 15 -spec_point 1.2 -spec_static 1.5 -spec_tube 1.5
 
Crud.
I just remembered why I stopped playing FS2 the first time...momentum is all wrong. You should be able to get speed in a direction and then rotate your ship to strafe (an object in motion...) but in FS2 your momentum always goes in the direction you're looking...yuck! Is that from air resistance? :)
 
Well its actually flight assist thrusters
I-war has a newtonian flight model,
dogfighting with a closing speed of 200,000 meters/sec isnt easy
 
But how does one make a proper Babylon 5 sim without momentum and rotation-strafe? That's the primary attack mode for fighters in the B5verse.
 
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