Exile

Ni! Ni, ni!, Ni!

Source // Moby Games

I originally thought Exile was another game entirely, but comparing Exile with Exile (that is, comparing a Metroid-like Newtonian physics simulator with a controversial action RPG following a time travelling Syrian assassin) it is clear to see that Exile went into the 1001 list and Exile was left out.

Still following? Good, because you'll need some brains to play Exile, which obviously means I'm out of luck.

Thrust

Newton's never seen his laws like this.

Source // Moby Games

A word like thrust is typically associated with the likes of air or spacecraft, or at least it is to me, so I imagined Thrust to have something to do with flying. I was right, in that the game is about flight if you're successful, otherwise the word we're looking for is 'crashing'.

It certainly looks like it should be familiar to you, with strong vibes of Lunar Lander and Gravitar being thrust upon our screens. Ah-hah. Thrust. Get it?

Get on with it... What does it play like?

Elite

Cor, space is a lil bit dangerous, eh?

You know how I keep banging on about games set in space? Well here's a game set in space. Not just any old game set in space, but perhaps the game set in space, the one every other game wants to be. It is simply Elite and I've been waiting for a chance to dive into it for a while.

I don't know where I came across Elite itself, though the video from Computerphile above may lay claim to having told me the most about it. Before that - way before that - I remember playing a pencil and paper RPG where we built our own ship that was inevitably badly constructed, requiring a merciful GM to fudge the die rolls as and when. I assume this game - whatever it was and wherever it came from - was inspired by Elite, itself inspired by classic science fiction stories and films.

Finally, along comes a game about climbing into a ship and hoofing it across the galaxy however you see fit, and it was first released on the BBC Micro, which meant finding an emulator.