Recommend a game for my weirdly specific itch, please!

[Mersadeon]

Well, guys, this is slowly eating up my sanity. I am itching for a game.
So, what kind of game?
- in space!
- with starships!

and then it kinda branches. Either:
Something where I can play the aliens - taking over some kind of space hulk or ship. I'm always open to recommendations that have some kind of infection or infestation mechanic, even if it isn't on a ship!

or:
Managing a spaceship relatively directly. No grand RTS like Sins of a Solar Empire. Already played FTL, and that doesn't scratch the itch.

I need something where I can feel that I own that ship - and where I can run around inside the ship (or control it FTL-style).

So please, please recommend stuff to me. I need to scratch that itch, or I will have to pick up game development and make something myself. It's driving me crazy.

Captcha: full of stars - how fitting!

EDIT: Ok, so maybe I should say which ones I already played, otherwise this might get a bit weird:

I've already played Startopia. It was fun!
Freelancer? Played it to death!
The Privateer games? Yup! (ok, ok, only the first one, because I didn't enjoy the second)
Knights of the Old Republic? Yes! But you know what, thanks for reminding me, now that the restoration project for number two is complete, I might give it another spin...
The Aliens vs. Predator games were also great. I am pretty sad that the second instalment doesn't have servers for the multiplayer anymore.
Space Engineers looks great, but not far enough in development to really be worth it yet.

The other recommendations? I'll try them! Thanks!

 

[Raddra]

In a retro mood?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgbkOrZc42k

This game was years ahead of its time, mechanics wise.

 

[Vern5]

Infinite Space for the DS!

Starships, fleet building, ship customization, crew recruitment and general crew management.

Be warned: this is a JRPG that does not do a good job of explaining its battle mechanics. Prepare for a lot of trial and error fighting.

Beyond that, it's an entire starcruiser full of fun.

 

[Vegosiux]

Can't come up with anything better than Freelancer myself, unfortunately. And that one has a trading element to it. And dogfighting, too. That is "aerial (or space) dogfight", not involving actual dogs, ofc.

 

[Jateca]

You're not the only one!

Really hope this gets made: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1964463742/the-mandate

 

[Weaver]

get 3 - 6 friends and play Artemis Bridge Simulator!
http://www.artemis.eochu.com/

 

[Exhuminator]

The first thing that came to mind for me was Infinite Space for DS. You definitely have to give it a try OP. You might enjoy the Atari ST version of SunDog: Frozen Legacy. Perhaps Freelancer, Privateer and Privateer 2: The Darkening. It's hard to think of star ship games where you can also roam around inside your own ship though... that's the toughest part. I may be mistaken, but I think in the Knights Of The Old Republic games you can get your own ship and also walk around in it.

As far as being the alien taking over the ship... that's even tougher. The only game I think of actually is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliens_versus_Predator_%28video_game%29

Where you get to be the aliens killing off marines in part of the campaign.

 

[michael87cn]

Doesn't exist. Sorry.

I actually attest that a good space sim hasn't been made yet. That's my opinion though.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

The closest you're gonna get with this highly specific set of instructions is "Homeworld: Cataclysm".

-Spaceships? Check.
-In space? Check?
-Not hugely grand scale, and you have lots of control over your ships? Check.
-Getting to play as infecting Aliens. Well, unfortunately, in the campaign you don't get to play as The Beast (there's your 'infecting' guys), but you can play as them in skirmish mode, and they are AWESOME!

But seriously, play Homeworld: Cataclysm anyway, because it's a phenomenal game.

 

[Pigeon_Grenade]

On Steam There's 2 games on there Early Access program that are Very Early in development- Star Gemini 2 and kinetic void, otherwise the X games are where you may find a good Back Scratcher, x3: albion Prelude was the one i got into

 

[Candidus]

Nexus: The Jupiter Incident

In space.
With starships.
Fairly direct control of your ships-- more so than Homeworld, less so than X. No running around inside.

Video is a vertical slice. Spoilers, but possibly worth it.

Spoiler

 

[Guffe]

A few selective maps of Star Wars the Force Unleashed :/
There you are in space, in a starship, and you're clearly taking over the damn thing...
Other than that I can't help you.

 

[Guffe]

A few selective maps of Star Wars the Force Unleashed :/
There you are in space, in a starship, and you're clearly taking over the damn thing...
Other than that I can't help you.

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

I'm not going to recommend anything because I want you to make this game so I can play it.

(Also because I have nothing worthwhile to contribute, but eh).

 

[Latinidiot]

I believe that Star trek Online offer what you're looking for, but I'm not sure.

 

[Mersadeon]

Ok, so maybe I should say which ones I already played, otherwise this might get a bit weird:

I've already played Startopia. It was fun!
Freelancer? Played it to death!
The Privateer games? Yup! (ok, ok, only the first one, because I didn't enjoy the second)
Knights of the Old Republic? Yes! But you know what, thanks for reminding me, now that the restoration project for number two is complete, I might give it another spin...
The Aliens vs. Predator games were also great. I am pretty sad that the second instalment doesn't have servers for the multiplayer anymore.

The other recommendations? I'll try them! Thanks!

EDIT: Space Engineers looks great, but it's so early in development that I can't really get enough fun out of it.

 

[infinity_turtles]

To add something to the pile that isn't exactly what you're asking for, Evochron Mercenary. The game is still being supported and updated and is an all around fantastic space-sim. I'd highly recommend at the very least checking it out.

 

[BoogieManFL]

There are some mods that turn Star Trek: Bridge Commander into a pretty hefty ship vs ship simulator, and has the most realistic combat mechanics for any Star Trek game I've ever played.