This is not a game for the normal kind of person. If you liked privateer, you will like x3TC. If not, stop reading.
Still here? Ok, X3TC is among the most complex games ever made. It borrows its basic gameplay from Privateer, but goes much further than privateer or even Freelancer ever did.
Gameplay:
X3TC is a hardcore space sim with some liberties taken with physics to keep the game playable. All ships have some inertia, though the game auto fires your (usually visible) retro thrusters in such a way that the game feels like a flight sim. Don't expect much in the way of a cockpit view. Pretty much everything happens in the Sidebar, in which you can look up information and command your ships. Speaking of which, you can command hundreds of ships at once, including trading ships and capital ships, totaling to an astounding 356 ships. I currently only have about 10, and the largest are transports, but the game makes it possible for you to command a destroyer (which is what this game calls a battleship) or even a carrier into battle. In fact, you can assemble a fleet if you so desire to fly into battle. Don't expect the AI to be agreeable, but it is doable. The whole concept of the game is for you to do whatever you want. It will take an incredible amount of time to get there, but you can be whatever you want to be in this game. Just don't expect the first ten hours to be all that great...and save often, because the game is both merciless and a bit buggy.
Graphics:
Space has never looked so good. A bit too colorful to be believable too, but still good. The graphics require a fairly beefy machine, but even on the lowest settings, the game looks incredible. Leagues beyond Freelancer or really any modern space sim.
Sound:
There is some crazy compression on the music, but all else is good.
Multiplayer: DOH! NONE!
Overall:
If you are patient, you will love this game. If you are the hardcore A.D.D. infested child that plays Gears of War, stay FAR AWAY from this game. That is really all I can say. If you liked privateer, buy this game now. If you liked Wing Commander, play Privateer first so you aren't completely dumbstruck by the complexity offered here. And if you don't have enough patience to wait 10 minutes to get to the sector you need to get to, this game really isn't for you.