Tallima: Imperium was pretty easy to get into. It's been maybe 14 years or so since I last played, but I think it had many difficulty settings so that even if you sucked, you could do it.

Nonetheless, it's an old game that was far from perfect, now just what you're looking for.

awalterj: Has anyone played the alpha build of Starsector yet?

Looks very promising: http://fractalsoftworks.com/

Cyraxpt: Maybe it's the 2D aspect of it and the ship designs but i can't stop looking at it and thinking that it looks alot like SPAZ.

awalterj: I hope it's better than SPAZ, I temporarily gave up on SPAZ (it's still installed though) because the controls feel to drunk to me, Drox Operative is more accessible in that regard although that game bored me after a couple days, very repetitive and not much atmosphere, actually none at all.

I'm still hoping for some kind of Diablo 2 in space with fully customizable spaceships, crossed with Privateer and Schleichfahrt (Archimedean Dynasty), with Wing Commander 3/4 cutscenes and...ah well, one can dream.

Cyraxpt: As for a rpg-ish loot space game the only thing that comes to mind is ZigFrak but i never played it (collecting dust on my Steam account) so i don't know if it's good.

As for me, i would be happy to play something like Starlancer, maybe it's the kid inside of me but it felt so awesome to blast enemies and hearing the radio conversations... the memories... :')

Cyraxpt: Here's the thing, i'm in the mood to play a game that is kind of similar to FTL and Star Command but more advanced than those two. What does this mean? Well, i would like to play a game in space where i could battle, upgrade the ship and buy new ships, manage the crew (maybe level them up?), make text based decisions, etc.

I love FTL but honestly, it gets boring after a while because you can go to the end in 20-ish minutes and you're probably (definitely? definitely!) are going to lose against the boss, as for Star Command, i've started playing that on my phone and while the idea is neat, well, it's barebones, it's really simplistic, doing stuff takes WAY TOO LONG (i'm serious, the battles are awful because of that, it's almost a minute and half to shoot a weapon and do other stuff), shooting and hitting are some dumb reflex mini games, etc.

Btw, i would prefer if it was something more simple where i only need to manage 1 ship and not a fleet (ex. Sins of a Solar Empire or Endless Space), i don't mind if it's sandbox but i would prefer that there was some kind of story based missions and that i don't need to read 100 page manuals to fully understand how to play.

Basically, if it makes sense, Freelancer meets FTL, instead of having a pilot on a small ship fighting in real time i would like to manage a bigger ship with a crew and having a tactical combat (aiming to specific parts of the enemy ship for example). Oh, and i would prefer that the game was available to buy digitaly (so no Bridge Commander recommendations).

Does this game even exists?

lazydog: I have read your your requirements but think that it is a hard nut to crack.

I can't decide whether or not you want a real time in the cockpit game or turn based game.

FTL has an advanced version now, I suspect you will have the same complaints if if you have tried it.

I am not interested in early access, steam or any of that bs but as you have mentioned starlancer, I will point you to aquanox 2 which is on gog and was even on sale recently after coming back to the catalogue.

It has a story driven plot, upgradeable ships and dialogue options, though fairly limited in their scope.

This game is primarily underwater fps action though, but that makes no difference if you are interested in maneuvering a ship real time in first person.

awalterj: Has anyone played the alpha build of Starsector yet?

Looks very promising: http://fractalsoftworks.com/

Escape Velocity Nova has already been mentioned but please vote for it, still has less than 300 votes and I'd like to see it here so that it can eventually go on sale and be affordable, no way I'm paying $30 for that game:

http://www.gog.com/wishlist/games/escape_velocity_nova