Space simulators. Best Free PC games without micropayments

Wing Commander Saga: The Darkest Dawn

Wing Commander Saga: The Darkest Dawn is an unofficial fan installment of one of the most popular space simulators series. It was based on the Freespace 2 engine. This technology was long ago made available as open-source, making the project standalone while offering improved graphics.

The production is set between the second and third installments of the series and tells a new story about humanity's war with an empire of Kilrathi, home to cat-like creatures. Everything that fans have loved The Wing Commander series for is here, which are fast missions focused on dynamic action, large-scale clashes, and a well-developed story campaign with interesting characters that are easy to get attached to. Plus, after completing all missions, we can continue to play multiplayer.

1. More about Wing Commander Saga: The Darkest Day
2. Wing Commander Saga: The Darkest Dawn – download game

Privateer-Gemini Gold

Privateer - Gemini Gold is another project on this list, which is an improved version of the PC classic. This time the facelift was given to the Origin studio's iconic space simulator. As in the original, we are dealing with an elite-style star sandbox in which we choose our own career paths and missions. The player can be, among others, a mercenary, pirate, headhunter, or merchant, or freely combine various professions. The charm is added through an interesting world, the same that is the backdrop for the Wing Commander series.

The game was developed on a new engine, with flat bitmaps replaced by three-dimensional models of ships and space stations. Physics, artificial intelligence and the interface were also improved, but all changes were designed to be as close as possible to the style and climate of the original.

1. More about Wing Commander: Privateer
2. Privateer – Gemini Gold – download

Pioneer

Pioneer is a space simulator with a sandbox structure, whose main inspiration was the iconic Frontier. The title features a procedurally generated Milky Way and in no way restricts the player's actions. We can take on the careers of an explorer, a mercenary, a star merchant, and a pirate. You can even fly over the surfaces of planets, which is still rare in this genre.

The universe is full of independent factions controlled by advanced artificial intelligence modules, making them make their own decisions in response to the actions of ours and other groups so that no playthrough is the same.

Of all the free clones of the Elite series, Pioneer is the most ambitious and generally also the best.

1. Pioneer – download game