I recommend trying Galactic Civilizations 2 for open ended gameplay. It looks like a silly game graphically but, the gameplay is pretty amazing.
Things you can do:
Custom build your own ship designs and save them to build later. Your designs alone could give you the advantage over the enemy in combat. There are no other games out there that allow this (other than Robot Arena 2: Deisgn and Destory)
The AI and diplomacy are probably the best I have seen in a game. Its alot like Sid Meier's Civilizations but, with better and less limited AI negotiations.
Become an arms dealer and capitalize off others at war:
You can build ships and sell them to factions at war for income or you can sell them to people at war with your ememies so you don't have to attack them yourself (if you have a weak military).
Voting system based on population. The more people that you can cram on your planets the more politcal power you can wield during elections. You can trade for influence points that basically buy votes so people agree with you. If you want your enemy not to have a voice in elections you just send in troops to kill the populations on his planets.
Permanent and temporary laws can be voted during each assembly meeting allowing you to vote for things that may favor your civilization or oppose your enemies. (I think its just cool in general to be able to vote in a rule to a game while playing it)
There are hardly any limitations in this game. The only thing that really limits you is your current technology level.
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