I've seen references to Smugglers 4, but i have seen no review that upon which I could rely.

Google "smugglers-4"

If you try it, please post your review here!

Have you tried X3: Terran Conflict?  If not, get it.  Get it right now.

Look!  I even include helpful links, because I'm such a swell guy.

Website:

http://www.egosoft.com/games/x3tc/info_en.php

Trailer:

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-aldrin-x3-terran/49492

Smugglers 4. There's a demo. This game reminds me vaguely somehow of ... Puzzle Quest Galactrix ... except that all the puzzle stuff is not there, conventional combat resolution. First impression of the demo is that the ship outfitting and adventure depth is much greater. Oh, no, it's not Puzzle Quest Galactrix. This really looks pretty good, but the price is a bit steep imho, $30.

OP probably is looking for something real time rather than turn based though? Maybe cheaper wouldn't hurt? Have you looked into Freespace 2? Basic game costs about $6 at www.gog.com. It is a very old game that has been brought up to date by an enormous modding project. Prepare for a bit of tinkering to get it all working, but the steps are fully described at this link.

http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/Getting_started  There is a huge and very active community playing and modding this game. There are new mission scenarios, but I do not know if being a smuggler is part of the game. Think it is mostly combat missions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HFEmGcJcWA&feature=related freespace 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZuA9zvxs0Q&feature=related freespace 2 custom mission

Of course, there is x3 Terran Conflict sort of the ultimate game of the very type you're looking for, but also "welcome to roasting your video card 'r us." Also welcome to a steep learning curve. Very complex.

Then too, there is Freelancer. There are some big mods for it, with really large universes. And it is an adventure game with piracy, smuggling, etc.

Eve Online, your cup of tea. Darn expensive and time consuming cup of tea.

Darkstar 1 isn't worth it IMO.

If you want something odd try ASCII Sector. Privateer remade as a roguelike.

I checked X3:TC. Well, I ran the demo that benchmark my PC and I don't think I can run it hehe. My average FPS is 14. But, I have a new laptop and I'll try on it.

In the meantime, even after watching the demo and the trailer, I have absolutly no idea of the gameplay. All I say is screenshots of space with ships or battles presented like a video. How do you play this game, how do you trade, etc? I can't find screenshots with text!

Thanks

Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos is my absolute favorite in this genre. I find myself still playing it from time to time, as it has withstood time really well. The Newtonian physics that it uses are also something that I miss in about any other game.

Check it out!

http://www.i-war2.com/

You start out with a small class-4 fighter craft.  Gameplay is similar to what you know from Privateer or the earlier Elite game(s).  You fly around in the cockpit, etc.  Trade is done buy hauling cargo if you'd like, that is the typical buy low sell high strategy.  Some sectors with a bright sun produce a lot of solar energy cells, which other darker production sectors need.  You get the idea.

Trade goes further than that, though.  As you begin to accumulate wealth you can aquire a freighter ship of your own, and even start building a fleet with AI captains to control your other freighters.  As they gain experience they get even better and better at trading.  You can set them up to create long trade routes, but you'll want to start hiring fighter jockeys to patrol with them if you've venturing into dangerous space!

If that's not enough trade for you, once you are wealthy enough you can even build your own space stations and production facilities.  Do you become the biggest arms dealer in the sector, or do you instead work with the pirate factions and start your own space weed facilities in deep space...

The game's not all trade though, you play how you'd like.  There's a storyline to the game that you can follow, but the game is much more about sandboxing in a universe and doing what you like.  You can war with particular races, pirate ships (and by that I mean yes, you can actually carry marines and have them board other capital ships to take them over), or just play a mercenary for hire.

While I will not say the game doesn't have any issues (it does... just like any other game) I have to say it was the best space-based flying game I've probably ever played.  And like you, I loved the Wing Commander / Privateer series back in the day.

First-off I also loved WC and Privateer.

Secondly, about X3:TC: IIRC it comes with Tages DRM.

And concerning Freelancer: If it doesn't bother you that it kills every other kind of media player than windows media player upon installation, go ahead and try it.

some older graphics (like it looks rather crappy) but excellent games-

Star Wraith: Shadows of Orion, Star Wraith IV: Reviction, and RiftSpace. The bonus- FREEEEEE!!!! The downside- crappy graphics, RiftSpace is SP only, and SW is combat only. RiftSpace is a freeform-styled game.

All three are available for download from the Star Wraith 3D Games website. Google it and it should be the 1st/2nd link. You'll need to go under the 'others' tab if it's the home page of the site. All three games are under 20MB each, and in total I'd say ~30 MB.

sadly this is a genre that has been sorely lacking of late. i too am waiting for an accessible (ie not X3) combat or trading space sim for ages

all the new contenders seem to be MMOs which is a real shame.

In other news EA just trademarked Wing Commander again, so let's hope some new life can be grown from an old IP.

tie fighter forever!!

The one issue with Freelancer is you play it for ages and then poof - story is over and there is no more content - just doing the trade/freelance missions. Also the graphics are probably aging - it is 5-6 years old. But it was (is?) a great game...