So last night I found my first distress signal in space. I went over to investigate and got a message that "hostile ships were approaching". How does my ship know they're hostile? Did they radio that they're going to slice me up like a Dravonian pig? The space stuff needs a LOT more character interaction to make it feel alive and personal.
But anyway, I took them on and barely won. I briefly celebrated my victory until my HUD said that Sentinel ships were approaching, and noticed I had a two-star wanted rating. WTF? I helped kill some pirates and this is the thanks I get? Do Sentinels activate if any ships get blown up, regardless? Unfortunately my shielding was down, and because of the terrible recharge UI I couldn't get them back up before the Sentinel ships vaporized me.
I love space dogfights. Ever since X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, and the Wing Commander series, I've loved them and I've always been good at them. But dogfighting in NMS is not fun. Somehow they've made flying in space feel like spinning in a turret instead of chasing or being chased by other ships.