Hi, long time reader but first time poster here.
I'm stroked for the coming Skyrim game. I've played the other Elder Scrolls games, so I know I'll enjoy this one very much.
Now on to my question: are there any science-fiction themed games like Skyrim? I'd love it if there was games where I could pilot a spaceship to different worlds, asteriods, space stations and get off to explore different enivornments. (Ocean worlds, dry worlds, fire worlds, ice worlds, toxic worlds, alien forest worlds, the possibilities are endless).
The closest thing I could think of is Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect games, both from Bioware. While they are certainly creative in their enivornment design, they are terribly limiting in how free you are to explore. (Not a true sandbox game, in that sense.)
But perhaps I'm missing something out there? Any of you guys aware of a sci-fi sandbox games?
Thanks!