the problem is ANY space game is eventually gonna give the impression that one system is much like another. why? cuz space is black with twinkley bits.
doesnt matter how many stations of various designs, doesnt matter whether or not they orbit something or dont. sooner or later the player is gonna see that one system is much like another. the only differences are bound to be surface ones like background colors or does it look cool. in X sectors can begin to look alike, just various stations floating around. same in Iwar2, same from what I've played so far in FL. its just the way it is.
why?
cuz its a game. they can only do so much. heck even in Frontire Elite sure you coudl fly all over the galaxy but eventually one realizes that one randomly painted ball (planet) is just like another.
the question is what suspends the disbelief for the player?
that varies from player to player.
sometimes pretty colors are enough
sometimes lots of bad guys are enough
sometimes dynamic trading is enough
sometimes pirating opportunities, no matter how repetitive (iwar2) are enough.
heck, people think FL was overhyped. wait until/if ever Elite 4 is released, THAT'll probably be the most overhyped space sim game ever, and will probably end up disappointing a lot of people, just cuz everyone remembers some aspect of elite they thought was best and it may or may not be emphasized in the new one.
anyway, enjoy FL, X2, FS2, Iwar2, etc on their own terms