Flatspace II: Rise of the Scarrid

It's Always Impressive when a one-man team (with a little help from a friend or two) attempts to create a truly ambitious game, and in Flcitspcice II, solo developer Mark Sheeky has done an admirable job of combining frenetic space combat with a persistent, sprawling universe.

After choosing a profession from a long list - which includes bounty hunter, assassin and police officer - you set out in your little shuttle looking to bolster your reputation, vessel and funds.

Darting around the galaxy from one space station to the next, you must trade and complete missions - many of which are profession-specific - while battling other traders in manic dogfights that take more than a modicum of skill to master.

Sadly, Ftatspace II's poor visuals and a lack of a much-needed in-game tutorial mar an otherwise excellent piece of independent coding, which, for the most part, teems with endless hours of interstellar entertainment. Recommended.