The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Start with STAR WARS: Squadrons if you want a modern first-person starfighter campaign; choose EVERSPACE 2 if a longer solo adventure with loot and exploration matters more. For a more simulation-minded fight, consider In The Black, but it is an Early Access game. None reproduces every part of Wing Commander 3: the closest match depends on whether you miss its story-led missions, cockpit combat, or the broader life of a space pilot.
Which space combat game should you try first?
Wing Commander 3: Heart of the Tiger combines a scripted space-war story with fighter combat. A useful successor does not have to copy its setting or every system, but it should preserve the part you most want to play again. These options separate into three main paths: a defined starfighter campaign, a longer action-RPG journey, or combat-focused simulation. Older campaign games form a fourth path if you are comfortable with classic releases.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Star Wars: Squadrons (PS4) | $13.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Star Wars: Squadrons - PlayStation 4 LATAM Spanish/English/French | $15.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Electronic Arts - Star Wars Squadrons Occasion [ PS4 ] - 5030947124021](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51N66XhEYPL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Electronic Arts - Star Wars Squadrons Occasion [ PS4 ] - 5030947124021 | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series (PS4) | $43.85 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Sony Star Wars Squadrons - PS4 | $19.97 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
It helps to compare these games on four questions rather than treating “space combat” as one genre. First, does the game give you a defined story and mission sequence, or an open-ended world? Second, is combat framed as starfighter action or as a more simulation-minded system? Third, does progression mostly come from moving through missions, or from finding and improving equipment? Finally, is the game a released product or still in Early Access? Those distinctions make it easier to pick a game that fits your expectations instead of simply choosing the one with the most space battles.
Recommended Free Tools
| Game | Best fit | Campaign and combat shape | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| STAR WARS: Squadrons | Story-led, first-person starfighter combat | Single-player campaign with starfighter combat and ship and squadron customization | Its Star Wars setting and story are their own, rather than a continuation of Wing Commander. |
| EVERSPACE 2 | A longer solo space adventure with gear progression | Dogfights, exploration, loot, RPG systems, mining and crafting | Its action-RPG loop is less like a sequence of tightly scripted fighter missions. |
| In The Black | Combat simulation and flexible controls | Single-player and multiplayer, with five ship classes and customizable loadouts | Steam lists it as Early Access; full-release improvements and additions are plans, not completed features. |
| FreeSpace 2, X-Wing and TIE Fighter | Readers seeking the older campaign tradition | Community recommendations point to campaign play; FreeSpace 2 is also praised there for squadron commands. | Those recommendations are player testimony, and current store availability was not established. |
| Elite Dangerous | Open-ended space simulation | Broad, open-ended play with a complicated flight model, as characterized by Space.com | It is a sandbox-oriented alternative, not a direct story-campaign replacement. |
For a quick decision: pick Squadrons when story missions and cockpit-style dogfights are central; pick EVERSPACE 2 when you want a longer solo loop built around discovery and upgrades; pick In The Black if simulation and control options outweigh the fact that development is ongoing. If none of those sounds quite right, look to the older campaign titles, but verify that the edition you want is available before you plan around it.
#1 Best Overall
- All Wings Report In – Plan skirmishes with your squadron in the briefing room before taking off to the evolving battlefields across the galaxy. Compete in intense 5 vs. 5 multiplayer dogfights or unite with your squadron to tip the scales in monumental fleet battles. Together, you’re the galaxy’s finest.
- Master Legendary Starfighters – Take control of different classes of starfighters from both the New Republic and Imperial fleets – including the agile A-wing and the devastating TIE bomber. Modify your ship, divert the power between its systems, and destroy your opponents in strategic space dogfights.
- Live Your Star Wars Pilot Fantasy – The cockpit is your home. Use its dashboards to your advantage and – with just a thin hull of metal and glass between you and the perils of space – feel the intensity of combat from a first-person perspective. Take off in thrilling multiplayer modes and a unique single-player Star Wars story, which covers a key campaign near the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War.
- The Mission is Clear – Star Wars: Squadrons is a fully self-contained experience from day one, where you earn rewards through play. Climb the ranks and unlock new components like weapons, hulls, engines, shields, and cosmetic items in a clear path for progression that keeps gameplay fresh and engaging.
STAR WARS: Squadrons is the closest modern campaign fit
STAR WARS: Squadrons is the clearest first stop for someone asking for a single-player space-war campaign with first-person starfighter combat. EA confirms a single-player story and describes the game as a piloting experience; StarWars.com places the story around the end of the Galactic Civil War and describes ship and squadron customization. That pairing—an authored conflict and fighter action viewed from the cockpit—is what makes it the most direct modern mood match in this group.
What it offers
- A defined campaign rather than an entirely open-ended pilot career.
- First-person starfighter combat as the central activity.
- A Star Wars narrative set around the close of the Galactic Civil War.
- Ship and squadron customization, according to StarWars.com.
The match is about structure and perspective. You have a story to follow, and fighter combat remains central, which is a much closer answer to “I want to fly sorties in a space war” than a broad sandbox or a loot-led action RPG. The story’s setting is the Star Wars universe, however, and its characters and conflict are distinct from Wing Commander 3. Treat the similarity as a shared campaign shape, not a continuation or a one-for-one remake.
Platforms and what the listing confirms
EA lists destinations for PlayStation, Xbox and PC storefronts, including Steam, Epic and EA’s PC app. These links show the platforms and store destinations EA points to; they do not establish current stock at every retailer, the existence of a physical edition, or the size of the multiplayer population. Check the storefront for your platform and region before buying, especially if you are looking for a particular edition.
That distinction matters if you are shopping for a disc or comparing prices. A platform store destination is not proof of a currently available retail copy, and the information here does not confirm an Amazon physical edition or current inventory. Confirm the exact platform, edition and seller listing rather than assuming that a search result for the game’s name is the version you want. No specific price is established here, so check the selected store for current regional pricing and any edition differences.
Choose Squadrons over EVERSPACE 2 if the priority is the campaign-and-fighter combination, rather than a long progression loop. Choose it over In The Black if you would rather play a defined story than prioritize a combat-simulation approach. If your main question is multiplayer activity, the available product information does not verify player population; do not infer it from the existence of multiplayer or store pages.
EVERSPACE 2 suits a longer solo adventure
EVERSPACE 2 is the better fit if you want space combat to sit inside a broader solo action-RPG adventure. Rockfish Games describes fast dogfights alongside multiple ships, weapons and abilities, exploration, loot, mining and crafting. Its current official page describes a 30-plus-hour single-player story and more than 100 handcrafted locations across six stellar systems. Those are publisher figures, not independently measured playtime or a guarantee that every player will take the same amount of time.
How its play loop differs
Instead of focusing mainly on one mission after another, EVERSPACE 2 ties combat to exploration and character or equipment progression. You fight, find gear, improve your options and travel through a large set of locations. Mining and crafting add activities beyond dogfighting. That variety gives a solo player more to do between encounters, but it also makes the game less like a tightly directed fighter campaign.
The scale figures help set expectations, but they should not be mistaken for a promise that the game plays like a long string of cockpit missions. Rockfish Games describes more than 100 handcrafted locations across six stellar systems, while its 30-plus-hour figure refers to the single-player story. They indicate a substantial solo journey and a lot of places to explore; they do not specify how long a particular player will take, how much time will be spent in each activity, or that every location is a separate story mission.
- Pick it for: a lengthy single-player story, exploration, combat variety and equipment progression.
- Think twice if: you specifically want the feeling of a cockpit-centered campaign built around scripted fighter missions.
The publisher lists PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox editions. The cited product information does not establish a preferred flight-control style, so do not assume that it has the same control feel or setup as a dedicated combat simulator. Check the relevant platform listing for current edition and control details. The same advice applies if you are comparing PC and console versions: the listed platforms establish that editions exist, not that every version has identical controls, content or current pricing.
In a direct choice against Squadrons, ask whether you want to spend most of your attention following a defined war story and flying starfighter combat, or whether you want combat to be one part of a longer adventure with loot, exploration, mining and crafting. The first description points to Squadrons; the second points to EVERSPACE 2. Neither is automatically a better fit—the difference is the kind of progression and structure you want.
In The Black is for simulation-minded players, with Early Access in view
In The Black is a combat-focused space simulator rather than the safest pick for someone seeking a completed campaign replacement. Its Steam page describes single-player and multiplayer, five flyable ship classes, customizable ship loadouts, and support for HOTAS and HOSAS setups. Steam labels the game Early Access and says the full version is planned to improve systems and add content. Those planned changes should not be read as features already delivered.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
That makes it an option for readers who want ship and control choices to be part of combat. HOTAS and HOSAS support is a compatibility feature, not a requirement to play; the available information does not establish that a particular joystick or accessory is necessary or especially useful. A player looking for “single-player with HOTAS support” should still verify the current Steam listing and the control details for their setup, but the stated support makes this a relevant candidate. The five ship classes give the game a range of combat platforms, while loadout customization lets players configure ships.
The Steam description establishes that the game includes single-player as well as multiplayer. It does not establish the population of multiplayer modes, nor does it say you need a HOTAS or HOSAS device to access the single-player experience. If you do not own specialist controls, do not buy hardware solely on the assumption that this game requires it; no particular accessory is shown here to be necessary. If you already use those controls, their stated support may matter more to your shortlist than it would for someone who plays with another setup.
Consider its product state before choosing it. If your main goal is a finished, story-led experience with a clear campaign arc, the listing’s Early Access label is material. The Steam page describes improvements and additional content as plans for the full version, so treat those as future intentions rather than current features or a guaranteed release schedule. If you are specifically interested in a developing combat simulator and accept that systems may be refined and content added over time, it belongs on your shortlist. If you want a completed substitute right now, Squadrons is the more straightforward fit among these recommendations.
Older campaign games are a separate route
Players discussing alternatives to Wing Commander 3 have recommended FreeSpace and FreeSpace 2 for their single-player campaigns, including squadron commands, and have also mentioned the classic X-Wing series, including TIE Fighter. Treat that as community opinion rather than official product documentation or an independent quality ranking. These titles are worth investigating if what you value is the older mission-based campaign lineage, but the available information does not establish their current storefront availability.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThis classic route is appealing for a different reason from the modern recommendations. Instead of looking for a newly released game with a broadly similar premise, you are looking for older campaign design and, in the case of the player comments about FreeSpace 2, squadron commands. That is a clue about what those players value, not proof that every player will find the games identical to Wing Commander 3 or that their controls and presentation will feel current.
Availability deserves a separate check from genre fit. GOG currently lists Wing Commander 3 and says it can be installed offline without GOG Galaxy. That is useful if your goal is to revisit the original rather than replace it. It does not confirm the current listing status of every other classic in the series or the FreeSpace and X-Wing games. Search the store you intend to use for the exact title and edition before planning a purchase. The fact that one older game is available on a storefront should not be treated as evidence that the rest of its era’s catalog is there too.
Before buying any older title, check that the listing is for the right game and edition, and make sure the version suits your platform. Current availability for the classic suggestions has not been established here, so there is no dependable price comparison or purchase route to give. If a retailer listing appears, verify the exact platform and edition rather than assuming it is an official or current offer.
Rank #4
- Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series is a cinematic, interactive adventure that lets you step inside a galaxy far, far away
- Experience this thrilling three-part series in virtual reality
- Descend into Darth Vader’s mysterious fortress alongside new allies and encounter fearsome enemies, including the Sith Lord himself
- Be at the center of a story in which you hold the key to the galaxy’s salvation… or destruction
- An authentic Star Wars story that takes place between Episode III and Episode IV, which gives a personal look at Darth Vader himself
When a space sim is not a campaign substitute
Elite Dangerous
Elite Dangerous may suit players who want an open-ended space simulation more than a story with a prescribed sequence of fighter missions. Space.com characterizes it as open-ended and notes its complicated flight model. Those qualities signal a different learning and play commitment from a focused campaign: you are choosing breadth and a more involved flight model, not a direct successor to Wing Commander 3‘s narrative structure. This distinction follows from those published descriptions, not a hands-on comparison.
That makes it a useful alternative only if your priority has shifted. If you want a broader space-sim experience and are comfortable with open-ended play and learning a complicated flight model, it may be the sort of change you want. If you are searching for a chain of story-led sorties, that same openness is a mismatch rather than an advantage. In this comparison, it belongs in the sandbox column, not alongside the direct campaign recommendations.
Star Citizen
Star Citizen is described in the cited Space.com coverage as an ambitious, ongoing project. That makes it a poor choice if your specific requirement is a completed, story-led campaign comparable in shape to Wing Commander 3. Approach it as an evolving project, not as a finished campaign replacement. The description establishes its ongoing status, not a promise about when it will become a completed alternative or what a future version will include.
Buying and setup questions to settle first
For Squadrons, EA’s platform destinations cover PlayStation, Xbox and PC storefronts, including Steam, Epic and EA’s PC app. For EVERSPACE 2, Rockfish Games lists PC, PS5 and Xbox editions. Those platform facts help narrow the store to check, but they do not provide a current price, guarantee that every edition is sold in every region, or confirm stock for a physical copy. Look at the current store page for platform, edition and regional price before deciding.
For In The Black, Steam is the relevant listing identified here, and its Early Access label should be part of the purchase decision. It supports HOTAS and HOSAS, but there is no evidence here that either is mandatory, and no named joystick is confirmed as the ideal purchase. Avoid spending extra on a controller because of an assumption about compatibility or advantage; confirm requirements for your own setup first.
No particular discount, bundle, affiliate offer or retailer stock status is established for these games. If you see a physical listing, especially for Squadrons, verify that it is a current offer for the correct platform and edition. A digital publisher or platform page is not proof of a retailer’s inventory. Likewise, GOG’s listing for Wing Commander 3 and offline-install note apply to that game, not to all the older alternatives.
Best Value
Choose by the part of Wing Commander 3 you miss
- You want the story to guide your sorties: Begin with STAR WARS: Squadrons; it pairs first-person starfighter combat with a single-player campaign.
- You want a longer solo journey: Choose EVERSPACE 2 for a story woven into exploration, loot, RPG progression, mining and crafting.
- You want combat simulation and advanced control options: Look at In The Black, accepting its Early Access status.
- You want the older campaign format: Investigate FreeSpace 2 and the classic X-Wing games, while verifying whether the exact title is currently sold where you play.
- You want a sandbox more than a campaign: Consider Elite Dangerous; do not mistake its open-ended structure for a scripted Wing Commander-style story.
There is no single all-in-one successor among these games. For the most direct modern answer to “I want to fly fighters through a story,” Squadrons is the natural starting point; the other choices make sense when you want more progression, more simulation, or an older campaign style instead. Make the choice by the kind of play you want to repeat: missions, an evolving solo adventure, a combat simulator in Early Access, or a classic campaign if you can find the right edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest modern game to Wing Commander 3?
STAR WARS: Squadrons is the closest fit here if you want first-person starfighter combat wrapped in a single-player story. Its setting and characters are Star Wars, not a continuation of Wing Commander.
Is EVERSPACE 2 a story-based game?
Yes. Rockfish Games describes a 30-plus-hour single-player story, alongside dogfights, exploration, loot, RPG elements, mining and crafting. It is an action-RPG adventure rather than a pure sequence of scripted fighter missions.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Does In The Black support HOTAS, and do I need a joystick?
Steam lists HOTAS and HOSAS support. That is compatibility information, not evidence that specialist controls are required; no particular joystick or accessory is established as necessary.
Is In The Black a finished game?
Steam labels it Early Access. The listing describes improvements and additional content as planned for the full version, so those should not be assumed to be delivered features.
Are FreeSpace 2 and the X-Wing games currently available to buy?
Current storefront availability for those classics was not established here. Check the exact title and edition in the store you plan to use. GOG lists Wing Commander 3, but that does not confirm availability for the other games.
Can I buy STAR WARS: Squadrons on a physical disc?
EA lists platform storefront destinations, but that does not establish current physical stock or an Amazon edition. Verify the retailer’s current listing, platform and edition before purchasing.
Should I choose Elite Dangerous if I want a Wing Commander-style campaign?
Probably not as a direct campaign substitute. Space.com describes Elite Dangerous as open-ended and notes its complicated flight model, which points to a broader space simulation rather than a prescribed story of fighter missions.
The Bottom Line
For a modern story-led starfighter campaign, start with STAR WARS: Squadrons. Choose EVERSPACE 2 for a longer solo adventure built around exploration and loot, or consider In The Black if you want combat simulation and accept its Early Access status. If the classic campaign format is the draw, investigate FreeSpace 2 and the X-Wing games—but verify current availability for the exact title and edition.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
