EVE Online

[SystemsFailing]

I see that many rely on SC much. I'd advice you to not. Imo, it will be a failure.
What can be said about EvE: It's not right to compare it with FL since it's more RTS-like than simulator. Game is very hard-to-learn, requires much of your time, as was said above. You'd need to buy 1-2 months before you can start playing it for free. Some manage to buy PLEX during trial, though. And yes, you don't need much time to master Frigates, they are the smallest craft but very agile (especially Minmathar ones), bunch of them can burn things fast. Choosing your class more depends on your tastes, I'd say.
The interesting thing is that EvE was released few months later after FL. Due to great devteam it keeps being the most interesting MMO around, if you've ever played it, you'd understand me.
Reading about it's history and local features will make you interested, I'm sure.

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';.;'