Thud Ridge

Thud Ridge is a military flight simulation built around the dangerous skies of the Vietnam War, putting the player behind the controls of combat aircraft and asking for considerably more discipline than the average arcade shooter. Missions involve navigation, target identification and attacking enemy positions while trying to get home in one piece. The title refers to the notorious Thud Ridge, a geographical feature associated with difficult bombing operations, so the historical setting is central to the experience. Aircraft handling and mission planning matter, making the game more demanding than its relatively simple presentation might suggest. Thud Ridge belongs to the era when flight simulators expected players to read instructions before taking off, rather than simply pressing Start and immediately firing missiles. It is a fascinating period piece for aviation enthusiasts and anyone curious about how home computers attempted to recreate the complexity of combat flying.