Namco and Bandai merge

[A Black Falcon]

If you're going to have the character be part of the Empire or the Rebellion, a linear mission path (or perhaps a branching one) is really the only way to go. So X-Wing, TIE Fighter, etc. are best the way they are. Having a linear mission path also allows for better storytelling... I don't mind it at all in space sims.

Now, I haven't played nearly as much of the Privateer (X, Elite, Freespace, etc) style of space sims as I have the TIE Fighter style, but from what I've seen of them, I think I prefer TIE Fighter (Freespace, I-War, etc). Doing campaigns seems more interesting than trading goods... but I'm sure those games are good too.

Anyway, there isn't a SW game like that because Totally Games made all the Star Wars flight sims (Rogue Squadron isn't a flight sim. Neither is Star Wars Starfighter. :)), and they make linear-campaign games. Though there is some choice in the last one, X-Wing Alliance... some semi-optional missions, I believe. Not certain, I didn't get too far into that game...