Wing Commander: Privateer

Wing Commander: Privateer takes the universe of Wing Commander and opens the door considerably wider. Instead of following a strictly military career, you are free to explore space, trade goods, take missions, fight pirates, hunt bounties, and generally make a living however your particular conscience allows. The result is a wonderfully open-ended space adventure in which combat is only one part of the experience. You can improve your ship and equipment, travel between systems, and gradually become more powerful while deciding what sort of pilot you want to be. The campaign provides structure, but the freedom to wander is what makes the game memorable. It also creates plenty of opportunities for trouble, especially when an apparently harmless journey turns into an ambush. Privateer remains one of the most enjoyable examples of an open space sandbox from its era, long before “open world” became something every game box felt obliged to mention.