I'm digging into the evolution of sim games, but have very limited knowledge when it comes to flight sims and space sims (which form two of the major subgenres).
Can anyone suggest important games to check out? I'm particularly interested in the ones that are historically significant, as either highly influential or in some way groundbreaking.
I'm aware of Elite, Freelancer, Wing Commander, Conflict: Freespace, Privateer, IL-2 Sturmovik, Flight Simulator, and X-Plane as some of the more highly regarded games, but have little clue what is actually notable in the evolution of the genres.
If anyone knows some good resources for information on these two genres, that'd help too.
Right now, both flight sims and space sims feel near impenetrable.