The player will have to use a combination of brakes and boost to maneuver about objects and enemies while trying to escape as quickly as possible. The player might also need to use its lasers should an enemy be in his way. Sets of glowing orbs, placed by an unknown ally, may be collected to gain power-ups (Extra boost, Health, etc.).

Prototype Goals (whoops, missed that!)
Player/ship movement including turning (while flying forward) in 3d space, braking, and boost. Polish effects will be used to emphasize the ships movement, such as fire from the thrusters.
I will create a basic portion of what might have been a much larger and more complex level. The ‘cave’ idea has been ditched for a set of passages, each getting you one step closer to safety.
The fun will come from learning to mastering the flying movement, which will prove key to escaping alive, avoid fire from and shooting enemies, and the overall immersion in the game world.

Instead, create some sort of skill based movement (ala starwars pod racing) that the player has to master, while they travel on a pretty well defined course.

That will all be tied in with your movement and controls.

Since you didn’t give a prototyping plan, I’d suggest resolving this “no maze, please!” issue, figuring out what the challenge and controls will be, and experimenting with them!