It's an almost-boastful statement, but Tachyon is easily up there with space sim classics like FreeSpace 2 and TIE Fighter. The contract-based yet branching nature of the storyline lends a refreshing sense of non-linearity while the combat itself has a sense of speed and frenzy not easily found in other games of the genre. Little details like the constantly-updating news feed help to establish a living, reactive setting. Overall, fans of space sims owe to themselves to play this well-aged game.