A top down version like an rts game would be more immersive, which in turn would make it feel like 2 types of games many already love in one, the effects you could create would work so well with a top down setting, dust devils,rain,storms,hurricanes,earthquakes,volcano's depending on the type of planet.
There's something just uniquely captivating about a top down view, especially for a game such as star control. you are not put on rails to sit and steer left or right at whatever is coming, and the planet does not feel like a small round sized object, it's not nice to feel limited in a game that is all about unlimited exploration. The feeling of freedom, i'm not saying there has to be endless of space on a planet's surface, however it must feel big like a normal rts game map, and explorable at your own discretion after asessing the planet's data to send down the lander.
