Freespace (and especially it's amazing sequel) took everything that worked well in space sims, wrapped it around an amazing H.U.D. that's the best in the genre, gave us amazing action and a great story that results in one of the finest games in the space combat genre. The only game that actually exceeds it in every level is its sequel, Freespace 2, and nothing as of yet has toppled that from the throne of the space combat genre.