10/24/20 Exile (1991)

Exile (1991) by Peter Irvin and published by Audiogenic Games for Commodore 64, Amiga, and Atari ST. Most of the discussion around this game will call it a masterpiece, I don’t really know how to feel about it. Exile sees you as an astronaut on an alien planet on a rescue mission to stop a rogue crew member from another vessel. This game is a technical and design marvel in many respects– it features extremely realistic physics, a procedurally generated underground environment, simulated ecosystems, and AI that is able to pick up on noises the player makes, including remembering where they were last seen. A lot of its innovations are also, unfortunately, kind of drawbacks to the experience, depending on how much you’re willing to put up with. The movement, while accurate to the setting, is floaty; the procedurally generated world, while adding replay value, means that there is little to no direction and, in some rare cases, the game can become unwinnable. The animals of the world are often annoying when paired with the realistic inertia of the player. This is a game that’s great if you’re willing to put the time in and really crack the nut. The graphics are lovely (at least on the Amiga and Atari ST), and the main theme is some groovy sci-fi synth. It definitely has an atmosphere, and it deserves a spot in history for its many technical feats.