Endless Sky

Endless Sky is a 2015 open-source space trading and combat game created by Michael Zahniser, heavily inspired by classic titles such as Escape Velocity. Players begin with a modest spacecraft and can trade goods, take missions, explore star systems, fight pirates, upgrade ships, and gradually build their own career among the stars. The open-ended structure is one of its greatest strengths: you can concentrate on commerce, combat, exploration, or a combination of all three. The universe is large enough to encourage wandering, while the progression system makes even a slightly better ship feel like a meaningful achievement. Space may be endless, but apparently so is the shopping list for ship upgrades.

“Endless Sky is a 2D space trading and combat game similar to the classic Escape Velocity series. Explore other star systems. Earn money by trading, carrying passengers, or completing missions. Use your earnings to buy a better ship or to upgrade the weapons and engines on your current one. Blow up pirates. Take sides in a civil war. Or leave human space behind and hope to find friendly aliens whose culture is more civilized than your own.” - Michael Zahniser