"Games like Elite?" Topic

Do any of you recall the old Elite series of space exploration/combat/trading games from Firebird? I don' know how many hours I frittered away as a kid playing these games as a kid. The open-ended nature of the series, combined with mind-boggling number of destinations to which you could travel made these games all-time favorites with me.

The last one in the series that I am aware of, Frontier: First Contact was great fun but did not realize its full potential.

Since then, I have tried a number of different games for the PC that shared similarities with Elite, such as the Battlecruiser series, Termius, and Privateer, but none of these games in my opinion have been as successful at creating the free-form environment of exploration and adventure as Elite.

So, for anyone familiar with Elite and other similar games, any suggestions? I am only interested in single-player games for the PC, as multiplayers just don't do it for me. Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Jason

X3 is not too bad and runs on PC and Linux. It has missions but you can run it as a trader

There is also OOlite oolite.org Oolite is "inspired by" Elite

On the MMORPG front there is Eve Online, but that is a nasty big time sink and not in your parameters

I was not familiar with X3, and that Elite wikis is freaking awesome. Thanks!

I had two incarnations of that game. I liked it, but hated the whole matching-rotation with the space station thing to park.

I liked the docking sequence, although at first it was very frustrating. It created a very seat-of-your-pants feel, at least until you could afford a docking computer.

X3: Terran Conflict is the latest of these sorts of games that I'm aware of.

link

You didn't mention whether you'd tried Freelancer. It's quite old now (2003) but it wasn't a bad effort.

I was going to mention Freelancer as well. Target sells it for $10. USD Some really nice mods for it as well, jacking up the graphics and gameplay. I still think the game holds up well.

Elite was the coolest game Id seen on the Commodore64. Man I miss that.
Id like to see a modern version of MULE as well.

Yes, although I said Frelancer is quite old I agree with CPBelt when he says it holds up reaosnably well. I don't know how easy it is to get to run in widescreen, or even whether that's a consideration for the OP.

I've downloaded OOlite for the Mac. Cool game. Need a manual though, as I'm not certain where I am or what to do when the thing starts. First time out, I ran into and shot at the nav buoy by mistake, and promptly got set upon by police ships, who chased me three systems away before blowing me up. In true Han Solo style I was pleading, "It's not my fault!" at the computer, but no one would listen.