Looking for a free-roam space simulator that I can play offline and has a cockpit view.

[Vic 2.0]

Can anyone here point me in the right direction? From what I've heard, Elite: Dangerous isn't playable offline.

[=][=Maxim #37=][=]

Well, you can play "Solo play" (no players) or "Public play" (be ready to be ambushed, shot, blownt to pieces by players) but you still need internet connection for game client and create accout no matter what you choose.

[Berserk Slayer]

It might not be everyone's bag as the learning curve is steep and it's not the newest game, but probably my favourite example of this genre would be the X series - specifically X3: Terran Conflict. You can get cockpit mods which I use, although they're a bit dated now. I think I prefer it to Elite in most aspects (Elite is a better pilot's game), it certainly has many more features and a better variety of ships. I notice you're an XCOM player so you may have the patience required.

[Duneman]

Starpoint Gemini 2 fits the bill.

[CaptainBadger]

Starpoint Gemini 2 doesn't have a cockpit view last I checked.

If you're looking for something that will pay off in the long run as it's still in a Pre-Alpha state, I'd highly recommend Star Citizen, though there's some drama surrounding that game thanks to the frothing, rabidly uneducated masses who would sooner call it a scam or myth and aggressively attack anyone who dared support it than take it for the project-in-progress that it is. I sincerely ask that you educate yourself about the game before committing.

That said, if you want something that's available now, there's Evochron Mercenary, Freelancer (if getting something a bit long in the tooth isn't a problem for you), X-Rebirth (which, I confess, is only good after you download a LOT of mods for it), X3 as Uhtred suggested (still needs mods, but is considered the better X game by many despite its age), Interstellar Rift (though I will tell you it's still in Alpha), and PULSAR: Lost Colony (you need friends to play this, it's a co-operative space crew game).

If you're willing to forgoe the cockpit stipulation, Starpoint Gemini Warlords is the latest incarnation of the Starpoint Gemini series and entirely freeroam sandbox, very much like X in many ways.

I would HIGHLY recommend Starsector by Fractal Softworks if you're willing to try something different; the game's combat is deep, the graphics beautiful yet simple, the soundtrack excellent, and the mechanics well thought out with an emphasis on modding freedom - you really can't do much better if you want Mount and Blade in space.

Those are my suggestions, hope it helps.

[Cookie]

If you wanna check out an older game, Freelancer has cockpit view. It's not listed anywhere in game, but Ctrl-V switches to cockpit view and back. It's also very very open galaxy, and has some good mods and a few RP servers still kicking after more than a decade.

[Duneman]

Originally posted by CaptainBadger:

Starpoint Gemini 2 doesn't have a cockpit view last I checked.

Are you stipulating that the game has to have a simulated cockpit HUD, with dials or somesuch? Otherwise the game certainly does offer a view from within the ship itself.

[CaptainBadger]

Originally posted by Duneman:

Originally posted by CaptainBadger:

Starpoint Gemini 2 doesn't have a cockpit view last I checked.

Are you stipulating that the game has to have a simulated cockpit HUD, with dials or somesuch? Otherwise the game certainly does offer a view from within the ship itself.

That's news to me, last I played it, I didn't find anything of the sort.

[Vic 2.0]

Well, to be fair, I was the one who was asking specifically for a cockpit view (to me, ordinary first-person view doesn't cut it).

[bcasner50]

Well, if you want one that flys similar to RG you might like Dark Star One. If you really really want a cockpit view the X-series is pretty good. Pretty complex till you get used to it but pretty good nonetheless. Starpoint Gemini Warlords is similar to RG too.

[I eat children.]

If you don't mind older games, I recommend Wing Commander: Privateer with all my heart (it's on GOG and requires DOSBox). Free roam and cockpits are both included.

There's also Tachyon: The Fringe, which has cockpits but is a bit more limited on the free roam aspect. You can't leave any space station unless you have an active mission, but while that mission is active, you have limited freedom to roam your current sector outside of your mission's goals (stuff like finding hidden cargo and dropping it off at other stations' docking platforms).

[Cookie]

Tachyon was that one with Bruce Campbell, right?

[apophis37]

i'd suggest Freelancer aswell. Older game but still looks pretty nice and has a good story (something i think elite sorely needs to ''get into it''). There's 2 big mods (1SP and 1MP mod) that greatly enhance the game and are still active today.
As someone before posted about star citizen: do not give money to them untill u've researched every source u can find about it.
I am in the group of ppl that think (know) its a scam. (refunded as VB)
But u should make up your own mind about it.

[CaptainBadger]

Originally posted by apophis37:

i'd suggest Freelancer aswell. Older game but still looks pretty nice and has a good story (something i think elite sorely needs to ''get into it''). There's 2 big mods (1SP and 1MP mod) that greatly enhance the game and are still active today.
As someone before posted about star citizen: do not give money to them untill u've researched every source u can find about it.
I am in the group of ppl that think (know) its a scam. (refunded as VB)
But u should make up your own mind about it.

I don't recall that many scams having 5 different development studios, obvious game progress from each Alpha stage to the next, the leadership of one of THE definitive legends in the Space Sim development community, an all-star cast of big name Hollywood actors who've played a part in games previously made by said legend, and a development process that's been 120% transparent from the moment they started coding.

But hey, everyone's got an opinion.

Now Starforge, THAT was a scam.

[apophis37]

Originally posted by CaptainBadger:

Originally posted by apophis37:

i'd suggest Freelancer aswell. Older game but still looks pretty nice and has a good story (something i think elite sorely needs to ''get into it''). There's 2 big mods (1SP and 1MP mod) that greatly enhance the game and are still active today.
As someone before posted about star citizen: do not give money to them untill u've researched every source u can find about it.
I am in the group of ppl that think (know) its a scam. (refunded as VB)
But u should make up your own mind about it.

I don't recall that many scams having 5 different development studios, obvious game progress from each Alpha stage to the next, the leadership of one of THE definitive legends in the Space Sim development community, an all-star cast of big name Hollywood actors who've played a part in games previously made by said legend, and a development process that's been 120% transparent from the moment they started coding.

But hey, everyone's got an opinion.

Now Starforge, THAT was a scam.

I didn't wanted to get into this, but u've started the BS and i'll end it.
The game (or lack thereoff) is late by YEARS. (hell, not even a semblance of a game exists at this point, all u can do is fly around and shoot, its a tech demo).
They use sale tactics that would shame EA (selling ships, then nerfing them to sell the next line of ships etc etc. Selling Jpegs of ships that use mechanics that arent even out of concept stage etc etc)
CR is the worst person u can put in charge of a project like this, altough i do believe he wants a game himself, he lacks the skills to make it. proof: the rework after rework after rework etc... u get the point... of the same assets. (not to mention they did graphics first, wich are already outdated, and have 0 gameplay mechanics in beyond flying and shooting and an bit of FPS).
They have a FPS engine for an mmo-style game and cant adjust it, hell they cant even make a smooth FPS.....

In short:
Gross incompetence at the highest level with outright scammy sale tactics (they've lied a dozen times to get their ''ships'' to sell) makes this project FUBAR. It will never be finished into a playable game. (even their flying is badly implemented and in no way fun)

But as i said. anyone not yet a backer and thinking about it, make up your own mind.
Dont believe the dude i'm quoting, and dont believe me, just check it out yourself. (and pls check more sources then only the RSI website)

[I eat children.]

Originally posted by Cookie:

Tachyon was that one with Bruce Campbell, right?

Yep, that's the one. His voice acting definitely helps the game stand above a lot of other average space games, but admittedly, not by much.