Summary
- Release Year: 1986
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Acorn Electron, Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST/STE, BBC Microcomputer System, Commodore 16, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
- Publishers: Firebird Software, Superior Software Ltd.
Thrust (1986): A Retro Shooter Classic
Thrust is a 1986 shooter game developed by Imagine Software and published by Firebird Software. The game was originally released for the Commodore 64, and was later ported to the Amiga, Atari ST, and ZX Spectrum.
The aim of Thrust is to pilot a spacecraft which must pick up a pod using a tractor beam and fly it into space. The ship and pod are subject to gravity and inertia, and being connected by a stiff rod, they can end up spinning around each other, out of control. Hitting the walls of the cave with either the ship or the pod results in death.
Thrust is a challenging game, but it’s also a lot of fun. The levels are well-designed and varied, and the gameplay is addictive. The game’s physics are also very realistic, which makes it even more challenging and rewarding to play.
Gameplay
Thrust is a 2D shooter game. The player controls a spacecraft which must pick up a pod using a tractor beam and fly it into space. The ship and pod are subject to gravity and inertia, and being connected by a stiff rod, they can end up spinning around each other, out of control. Hitting the walls of the cave with either the ship or the pod results in death.
The game is played from a top-down perspective. The player uses the joystick to control the ship’s movement and the fire button to fire the tractor beam. The tractor beam can be used to pick up the pod and pull it towards the ship. The player must then use the ship’s thrusters to fly the pod into space.
The game features a variety of different levels, each with its own unique challenges. The player must navigate through caves, avoid obstacles, and defeat enemies. The game also features a number of power-ups which can help the player, such as shields, extra lives, and speed boosts.
Development
Thrust was developed by Imagine Software, a British video game company. The game was designed by David Perry, who was inspired by the arcade game Lunar Lander. Perry wanted to create a game that was more challenging and realistic than Lunar Lander, and he succeeded in doing so.
Thrust was released in 1986 and was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its challenging gameplay, realistic physics, and addictive nature. Thrust has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains a popular game today.
Legacy
Thrust is considered to be one of the classic shooter games of the 1980s. The game’s challenging gameplay, realistic physics, and addictive nature have made it a favorite of gamers for over 30 years. Thrust has also been influential in the development of other shooter games, such as Descent and Gravity Force.
Conclusion
Thrust is a classic shooter game that is still a blast to play today. The game’s challenging gameplay, realistic physics, and addictive nature make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a retro shooter game to play, then Thrust is definitely worth checking out.
Here are some additional details about Thrust:
- The game was originally released for the Commodore 64, but was later ported to the Amiga, Atari ST, and ZX Spectrum.
- The game features a total of 100 levels.
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by Rob Hubbard.
- Thrust was a critical and commercial success, and has been praised for its challenging gameplay, realistic physics, and addictive nature.
- The game has been influential in the development of other shooter games, such as Descent and Gravity Force.
Review Score
9/10
