It’s really not very similar to X (which I bounced off as well, mostly because the cockpit was superfluous to the spreadsheet). It’s really all about the in-the-cockpit experience, to the detriment of some other areas of the game. I think it’s got the best space sim-ish flight model out there right now (I might even argue it’s in the all-time top 3), so if that’s appealing to you it’s worth a try. There’s plenty of fun to be had in just asteroid belt pew-pew. It’s gorgeous, has amazing sound, and is challenging.
It is a lonely game, that’s for sure. That lone pilot out in the void experience is a big part of what appeals to me, but will leave others cold. I’m happy bumbling about gawking at the scenery and soaking up the cockpit experience in VR. I recognize I’m an outlier and hope they get on a development path that appeals to the other voices in this thread. I mean, if you’re making a space sim and you’ve lost @BrianRubin, you obviously need to figure your shit out.