Thanks for the reminders about Freespace 2:ya know, I actually have it. It came bundled with a joystick I got a year ago. I gave the tutorial a try and it didn't grab me, but I should give it a second look now that I'm more interested in this genre.
If you already have it, go for it. It's excellent, quite immersive. I particularly liked how the plotline is revealed in-game, tying the player into the conflict.

I still remember the names of almost every spacecraft in there, with their class designations.