Space combat game/simulator?

I've kind of been on the lookout for a good space flight game since I left EVE Online. I liked EVE, but it really is too much of a time sink for me right now, and to be honest, it gets boring after a while if you don't get into a corp and move into Low/Null-Sec areas. Plus, I like to go solo in my games and EVE almost requires you to join a player corp.

I found Evochron Mercenary last night and had just enough time to download the demo and start the tutorial. It's definitely NOT EVE as far as the flight controls go. This is more akin to an actual flight simulator. At first glance, I would compare it to the X games but maybe a little more simple to get into.

Speaking of X, I've tried the demo of X3, but it seems like it really needs a joystick to play, which I don't have, and don't plan on purchasing.

Was just wondering if anyone has heard of Evochron Mercenary, or had any experience with any of the X games. It sounds like there's a new X coming out this year, not sure if I should wait for that, or go ahead and get EM (assuming I like the demo). Or if there are any other similar games I could look into that are good as well.

Thanks!

I was going to post links to the websites of the games I mentioned, but I do not have the required number of posts to do so. Sorry.

 

No personal experience with any of those, but they do sound interesting and here are those links:
Evochron Mercenary

X3

EVE Online

The closest I have been to these kind of games was playing Descent 3 years ago; really enjoyed that one.

 

I never played Descent. Looking it up now.

I actually went through the 90 minute Evochron Mercenary demo and spent the majority of the time flying around trying to figure out what to do. Combat resulted in the almost instantaneous explosion of myself, so I explored other areas. I managed to find the planet where the beginning missions are handed out, but I ended up flying around the planet looking for the city to dock at for the rest of the demo time.

I uninstalled the demo and maybe if I re-download and install again, I can be granted another 90 minutes of time. I did find out there's an X: Rebirth coming out sometime this year, but Steam has EM on sale for $20 right now. Still trying to decide which way I should go. $20 isn't really that much, but it would feel like a waste if X:R comes out a couple months later.