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[Gaspa Craftdreams]

So currently I am trying to hunt down some good, freeform space exploration games.  Right now I have found only two that I like so far.


Escape Velocity Nova: One of my favorites.  Exploring, trading, space dogfighting, ship customization, a storyline with questionable importance, and best of all, it accepts user-created mods.  The problem is that you need to pay to unlock the full version.  A shame that there isn't a sequel of some sort (NAEV seems promising, but it's still in development).


Transcendence: I'm sure a lot of you also know this one.  Pretty much Escape Velocity Nova if it was redesigned from the ground up and turned into a roguelike.  And yes, modding is possible with this game.  Current beta version: 1.06a (since July 1st).  Made by an obscure but experienced programmer who appears to be really into astronomy.

[Robsoie]

While it's always in development, NAEV feels rather complete , you really should try it if you like Escape Velocity and Transcendence.

Mix of quick coffee breaker and space exploration, you have that was released freeware a year or two ago Strange Adventures in Infinite Space, there's a sequel (not free this one) to it if you find it interesting.
For a coffee breaker it's very fun.

You have the old "Frontier Elite 2" and "Frontier First Encounter" too that are completely freeform and allow you to explore things, but sadly combat is very crappy though and often frustrating (especially in Frontier First Encounter) as it happens that an enemy can spawn just behind your ship where you have nearly no shields and so one-shot you in less than 2 seconds after you detect them.

But if you're interested by them, you should then prefer the open source remake/inspired game "Pioneer", that is simply better in many ways, and have planets and asteroids being much more impressive visually with their superb procedural tech helping a lot in the fun of exploration. I like it a lot.

[Empty]

Heh.
You could also try the weak excuse of a game I made.

Link

It has a near infinite playing field*


*Limited by your computers ram.

It sucks though

[Shades]

Not sure if something like space rangers 2 is in the group your looking for, but it's similar to EV I think.

[buckets]

Freelancer? x3tC? They're more 3rd person games though, so I'm not sure if you'd be into them.

[Alehkhs]

I like Flatspace 2 (essentially Flatspace 1 with more stuff) as a coffee-break space game. Pretty fun, and even lets you run one-life ironman games.

[Il Palazzo]

Not sure if something like space rangers 2 is in the group your looking for, but it's similar to EV I think.

I don't know if it counts, but it should count. It's a fantastic game(but not free). A 2d space exploration, trade and turn-based combat game with a dynamic universe, and optional choose-your-adventure brain teasers, shoot'em-up segments and a mini-RTS game.

[fqllve]

The RTS parts were difficult, but it was pretty cool being able to assume control of your units. Somehow that was the least satisfying part about the game, though.

Otherwise the game is awesome.

[Majestic7]

http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=34943.0

Prospector is pretty awesome space exploration roguelike. Totally free.

Space Rangers II is awesome, highly recommended. Doesn't cost much nowadays.

[Vattic]

Ascii Sector is worth a look. It's a ascii-based recreation of Wing Commander: Privateer.

[Tilla]

 I wish Ambrosia still made Escape Velocity games. Now they only seem to do Mac ports of other stuff and apps.