Elite: Dangerous

Space sim where you pilot ships across a 1:1 scale Milky Way—400 billion star systems, procedurally generated but grounded in actual stellar data. You pick your path: haul cargo between stations, hunt bounties, mine asteroids, explore uncharted systems, or smuggle contraband past security scans. Combat's Newtonian—momentum matters, flight assist can be toggled off for drift maneuvers. Political factions wage influence wars; you can back a side or ignore the meta entirely. Play solo, in private groups, or in open where other commanders share the galaxy. Cockpit-focused presentation—no third-person camera, all HUD elements diegetic. The galaxy doesn't hold your hand; you chart routes, manage fuel, and decide what success looks like.