Do you remember Elite, the mother of all space simulators? And Elite :First Encounters as well.

I was wondering if there are space simulators which follow the same pattern. Trade, explore, fight etc. Especially the realistic ones where you can actually enter a planets atmosphere and land.

Most space simulators stay only on space fights. No spaceship modifications (hull, engines... ) and the planets are only background. You can't approach them and even if you get too close something happens and the game forbids you to go any further.

In Elite you had complete freedom to go anywhere and land anywhere.Is there any similar game to Elite?

The X series seems close to it although I'm not sure. Haven't seen X3 yet.

Have a look at Eve online: EVE Online - Home (http://www.eveonline.com/)
The LARGEST single server MMORPG there is...

Elite for the 22nd Century.

Elite, the X series, Freelancer, Freespace and all the rest are single player space simulators. Some of them might have a multiplayer option, but I'm looking for a single player sim, not online.

I find it disturbing that you have to pay to buy the game and then pay again to play it.

Besides all those online games are not based on a scenario, linear or non linear. Several people must gather to play , you can't play alone against the computer.

Elite, the X series, Freelancer, Freespace and all the rest are single player space simulators. Some of them might have a multiplayer option, but I'm looking for a single player sim, not online.

I find it disturbing that you have to pay to buy the game and then pay again to play it.

Besides all those online games are not based on a scenario, linear or non linear. Several people must gather to play , you can't play alone against the computer.