Gamers Assemble!!! Looking for a specific game type.

Hi all, I have a question for all the PC gamers out there.

Im looking for a specific genre that has everything, if not most, of the things I seek in the game. I'll try to explain a bit what I mean with each section but the summary is:

I am looking for a Single Player - Space - Exploration - Open World - Offline - Sandbox - RPGame.

The somewhat longer story is:

I want to play a space game where I can pick (or build) a ship of my choosing. You start off small and cheap. But by doing missions, rescuing traders, mining for materials etc. you are getting money. You will be able to level up your ship or it's systems and become a better captain (or something like that). With the money you earn you can buy new things like new ships, better weapons, other ship parts, bigger hanger etc.

Basically I would like to be able to cruise around in space. Taking trading, protection and cargo missions to earn money. Fight pirates and company competitors. Start my own trading company or a mining company. start small and build my arsenal of ships that I can take out whenever I feel Like it. Level my skills as a Captain. Be faster, stronger, larger and richer. able to own (or build) space stations and sell my goods at stores/retailers/market. Maybe even becomming a space pirate myself.

Open world and Sandbox is very important to me. I need to be able to feel free in making choices. I want to do whatever I want to do. If I want to be a trader, pirate, miner or transporter, then I need to be able to do so.

Please keep in mind that I do not want to hear ANY games that are Multiplayer (MMO). This has to be a game that is Single Player based. There are tons of fantasy openworld RPG's out there, surely there are space games out there with the same quality and freedom??

Some rules for the games:

-Open World -Space -Single Player -Building/Owning -Offline -RPG elements -2010 or newer -3D graphics -mostly space exploration but elements of planetary exploration is also good -Published, so no kickstarter or Early acces games.

I really hope you all can help me out. I have played almost all popular fantasy RPG games, Race games and FPS games out there. I really like the space aspect in gaming and would like to truly feel like I live my own life in space on my own ship.

I also played games like Eve online, Mass Effect, FTL, Starmade, Star wars and Star Trek online... All have some elements I seek but not what I'm really looking for...

Please help me find the game I'm looking for, so I can waste hundreds of hours living my life as a Space Captain.

The last good one I remember playing would be Darkstar One, but I think the game Rebel Galaxy should work for you, I haven't played it but I hear its good.

The first game to actually do it right was probably FreeLancer but it's pretty old now...

Rebel Galaxy is pretty good but you're limited to a 2D plane.

Starpoint Gemini 2 was decent last time I played it. Side quests were a bit uninteresting last time I played but I remember they were going to improve them. There's been a couple expansions since last I played so they may have.

the X series is the closest i can think of. the newest one, rebirth, is a bit more limited but the X3 series of games may be what you are looking for.

just a warning....vertical learning curve. but rewarding if you are prepare to get over that.

Thanks for the already swift replies guys.

I have already checked out a couple of games before I made this post (I don't expect to let others do the work for me before I tried myself). I have seen Youtube footage for:

- Elite: Dangerous (This has a connection to a MP world for trading and requires a Always-on internet connection)

- Space Engineers (this has the building and sandbox elements but no missions or other RPG/story mechanics, it's minecraft in space)

- PULSAR: Lost Colony (it's a early acces game, and it promotes itself as a MP coop "multi-crew" game)

- Kerbal Space Program (cartoony looking spaceship simulator. It's based more on making NASA looking ships to fly to space. Not the thing I'm looking for)

I looked at Rebel Galaxy that zaku101 mentioned and it's indeed very close to what im looking for but there are a few minor problems. One of them is mentioned already, the 2D plane. There also seems to be some freedom lacking. It doesn't have the pick a direction, pick a life style and GO! element. It's not a free roam, open world, sandbox experience. Although it comes very close to what I'm looking for.

There are games that SEEM to be the thing I'm looking for but they are either partial MP or they are not realistic looking. Im talking about the games No Man's Sky and Star Citizen. The problem however is that I can't play them because they aren't out yet. Like I mentioned before I have played some Space themed games before like EVE online. The thing I LOVED about EVE was the way you could become anyone you wanted. It had a very steep learning curve but that is a fun challenge on it's own. You could really go for large mining rigs to small manoeuvrable figthers or massive motherships called "Titans"... you could just set a course with a lifestyle in mind and go out there.. the further you go into unprotected space the higher the risk but also the rewards. I loved that about EVE, but because of the player driven economy, the monthly cost and the harrasments by other players I had to stop playing long ago. That's why I'm seeking something similar (or even better) but for offline only.

EDIT: I'm still looking and still need help looking for this type of game.. Did I find a hole in the market?

@gamexplorerxl: Oh I forgot to add, I would highly recommend playing Space Rangers, its a very well done space game where the world actually feels alive. The game just throws you in the world and lets you decide your fate. If you can look past the 2D graphics your in for a good experience. It doesn't feel dull like a lot of the space games already out...

http://store.steampowered.com/app/214730/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qneGHw4jA8