Starfarer, An Open World Space Combat and Role Playing Game for Linux

Starfarer is an open world space exploration and role playing game for Linux. The player is a space captain who is out for an adventure to seek fortune and glory.

Current Features 

• Pilot your ship in top-down 2d combat
• Command your fleet in tactical battles
• Detailed combat mechanics
• Customize your ship’s loadout before battle
• Explore a war-torn star system
• Mod support for user-made factions, missions, ships, and weapons

Upcoming Features

• Play your own character who gains experiences and upgrades skills
• Hire officers to give skill bonuses, pilot auxiliary ships, and oversee your operations
• Explore the sector for knowledge and profit
• Trade goods, run mining operations, build industries — and defend your interests
• Become involved in factional politics

Starfarer 0.5a Preview was released recently bringing in lots of new changes:

• Campaign mode – fight your way up in the war-torn Corvus system
• Start out with a single frigate, buy (or capture) more ships to grow your fleet
• Customize your ship’s loadout before battle
• Level up your crew
• Ship weapons and engines can be disabled by damage, adding a new layer of tactics
• Tons of balance changes, UI improvements, AI improvements, and several new ships and weapons

You can pre-order Starfarer for $10 from here. The game is currently in alpha stages of development. With a pre-order, you will receive all the subsequent updates and final version.