Thrust 0.5

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Thrusting into GEM

We've all played Firebird's excellent Thrust and other similar Gravitar shooters, and this version looks rather familiar, but it isn't exactly what you might expect. In fact, it's quite an obscure take on the genre and one I've never come across before. Thrust 0.5 was developed by Alexander Kirchner and feels more like an experimental concept of what might have been possible within a Thrusty GEM environment.

The gameplay is remarkably similar: we're the pilot of a triangular craft, navigating a cavern in search of a "sphere" to collect and lug back to the surface. Navigation requires precise control of direction and thrust to manage inertia. The keyboard controls are easy: the LEFT SHIFT and ALT key rotate our ship. The RIGHT SHIFT provides thrust, and the CONTROL key shoots your cannon. Yep, we have weaponry!

The cave has defences that can be blasted or avoided, so shoot your weapon in their direction. The turrets are easy to destroy, and that grants safe passage through to the end, where you can grab the sphere and leggit. Sadly, there are a couple of missing features: 1) there is no gravity pulling you downwards, which makes things a lot easier. 2) Wall collisions don't cause your ship to explode, but rather stop you dead.

Yep, although unfinished, this is an interesting version of Thrust, and it's charming to see a game like this running in GEM (especially if your computer has a Blitter). While it may not hold your attention for long, it’s well worth it for the novelty value alone. As you can probably tell, I enjoyed stumbling upon this one.

• Thrust 0.5 can be downloaded at Atarimania and Atari FTP Archive.
• There are many more "Gravitar" games right here.
• I wasn't sure about adding this, but it uses the Blitter, so it's enhanced. Thus added to the list.
• Yes, I found a GEM game that scrolls... Ho Ho Ho!!

ST Low is surprisingly fitting for this game, but there are no colours.

ST Medium is squashed, but I liked it once I used XControl to change the colours!

Of course, ST High is the best of all. Plus, you can see more of the level ahead!