Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters

RECOMMENDED WITH A GUIDE. Because of the semi-strict time limit, you should use a walkthrough the first time through or you are doomed to fail. You have to know what to do and when or you won't stand a chance at beating it. It takes maybe 12 hours to beat the game even if you know what you are doing if you listen to the dialogue scenes. The planetary mining clearly inspired similar mechanics in Mass Effect 2 and No Man's Sky to the extreme extent. It has a lot of decent, voiced alien dialogue. The world-building is strong with this one. Every single alien race has its own intricate backstory. This game is the fan port of Star Control 2 and adds the dialogue scenes from the 3DO version among many other things AFAIK. It sets up the stage for the sequels so well that it is all downhill from here. The space battles are kind of annoying because the enemy plays a lot of giveaway and shoots with an insane accuracy. The capital ship upgrades largely trivialize the battles as the enemies go down in a couple of spammable volleys.

This is a new port for what is one of the best games of all time. I replay this game every few years. If you want the original experience don't follow a guide. This game was meant to be explored, and for the consequence of your choices to feel real, not optimized. It will take you a few playthroughs to get to the end, but worth it if you want the authentic experience of this game. Though the missing hyperspace music does make me sad. Why isn't that there?

The origin of space adventure. Yet the best one. Pray to Dogar and Kazon

Very well designed, fun game to play. Pure nostalgia for me.

THE INTERGALACTIC FRUNGY LEAGUE DEMANDS YOU PLAY THIS

Literally one of the best games ever made HANDS DOWN. Voice acting, writing, story, and totally unique universe with an irreplaceable vibe. The MUSIC is unbelievably catchy and lives rent free in my head, decades later. I cannot express how genuine of a gem this game is.