Freelancer is a nice option even though u don't have complete freedom of movement... Privateer II, really oldie, was an awesome game and, until now, it was the best I found.
U also have Freespace II but I haven't tried it yet (even though it's also old) but should be good as well. All these games have nice graphics and their control is very similar, so if you're comfortable with joystick control these are my choices.
Not long ago I saw a demo of Star Assault (recent game) and it seemed a type of game like the ones above.
There is also Tarr Chronicles, but haven't tried that one either -
http://www.quazar-studio.com/tarr/eng/index.html. Accordingly to them it's a "space-action game with strong RPG elements. Alongside his comrades, the player will experience all the trials and suffering of people lost in the murky reaches of space. Only the strongest will make the impossible happen and return to their homeworld."
And those were my 2 cents
