SOLDIERS is a strategy game set in the World War II era. It is a one player game system involving infantry and tank combat. It consists of two separate programs - a builder program (SOLDBLD.PRG) for creating scenarios and a game program (SOLDGAM.PRG) for actually playing the game. SCENAR1.SQD and SCENAR2.SQD are two sample scenarios.
Changes made to first version:
Better terrain graphics
Improved path handling
Some sound effects ( can any one explain sound on the ST?)
Some bugs were fixed
HOW TO PLAY 'SOLDGAM.PRG'
The two forces are represented by GREEN colored forces (you) and GRAY colored forces (enemy). The enemy (GRAY) forces are placed via the builder program. your forces (GREEN) enter the map via an entrance square. The object of a particular scenario may be any combination of the following:
capture a square and hold it
eliminate a certain percent of the enemy forces
rescue prisoner(s)
exit the map via a particular square.
These goals must be accomplished within a certain time factor which is set in the builder program.
To begin you must first load a NEW game (with a '.SQD' extension) or RESUME (with '.GAM' extension) a previously started game. All actions can be initiated via the drop down menus or using quick keys if you prefer the keyboard. Pressing HELP shows you the quick key equivalents of the drop down menus.
After loading a NEW game, your units enter one at a time on the ENTRANCE square. Each unit can move, fire, pickup, drop or use an object during its turn. Each unit may operate as long as it has movement points available. If all of a unit's movement points are exhausted the next unit is automatically selected. You do not have to use all of a unit's movement points. Just press 'n' or choose the 'N' icon to get the next unit. Each unit has a maximum movement allowance which is affected by how much it is carrying ability (portage) and its health. At the end of each round, a unit's movement allowance and strength is recalculated depending on its health. If a unit does not have sufficient strength it may not be able to move or operate weapons. If a unit's health reaches zero, it is dead. When you are finished operating a particular unit you may choose another by pressing 'n' or the 'N' (NEXT) icon. Or use ALT-LEFT CLICK to select another on the screen. You can always come back to a previous unit by pressing the 'n' key repeatedly. As long as a unit has movement points available, it will become activated again. When you are done with a turn, press 'r' or click on 'R' (ROUND) to end your turn. Then the enemy forces will move and fire at any of your units that are in range. When they are done, control of your forces returns to you.
You may change its facing by clicking on one of the 8 surrounding squares while holding the SHIFT key down. This is necessary only for firing a weapon such as a rifle, machine gun, flamethrower, or bazooka. The machine gun is automatically chosen if a man carries both a rifle and a machine gun since it inflicts more damage on the enemy. If it malfunctions the rifle is used. To use objects like the medipac, mortar, grenade, AT gun you must select them using the USE command. Then guide the crosshairs to the target square which must be within three squares of the firing unit. Make sure that your man is facing in the right direction for weapons like the Bazooka, and Flame Thrower. The grenade can be tossed in any direction without changing facing.
The current unit is always displayed in the center of the 9 X 9 map. To move this unit point at the unit with the mouse and LEFT-CLICK. Now, holding down the left button, drag the mouse in one of the 8 directions. Release the button and the unit will move, square by square to the location you have chosen. For example, if you drag the mouse two squares to the right, the unit will move only two squares when the button is released. To fire a rifle or machine gun, choose a target with the mouse and press the LEFT button. You can fire anywhere on the map but must have your unit facing in one of the 8 directions.
The other weapons are activated by pressing 'u' or clicking on the 'U" (USE) icon. A dialog box will come up. Choose an available weapon by clicking a box on the left side. Some weapons like the bazooka and the flamethrower have a range and require a facing. Others like the grenade and AT-Gun (Anti-Tank Gun) have a range. Crosshairs will appear. Guide the crosshairs to a location and LEFT-CLICK.
You may pick up objects by pressing 't' or selecting the 'UP ARROW' icon. A 'hand' will appear. You may pick up any object in your square or any of the 8 adjacent squares. To drop an object, press 'd' or choose the 'DOWN ARROW' icon. Use the drop down menus to access information about your victory conditions, military briefing and status of your group of soldiers.
The whole map is 50 squares by 50 squares so there are 2500 positions. Your active unit is shown in the middle of a 9 X 9 part of the larger map. You may select a different unit on that 9 X 9 submap by simultaneously pressing ALTERNATE and POINT-CLICKING on the unit with your mouse. You can also select a different unit by pressing "N" or selecting the "NEXT" icon with the mouse. Here are some other actions that can be performed:
Zooming allows you to see a 13 X 13 slice of the surrounding territory. You are pictured in the middle as a black square. The following chart shows what each square represents.
Enemy units can initially be hidden. They become visible when they fire on you or if you move within range of them. Once they become visible they stay visible. The only enemy units that can move are infantry or tanks. Enemy AT-guns and mortars are stationary. Your mortars and AT-guns must be carried and fired by the carrying unit.
Each unit has 4 characteristics: movement points, strength points, shooting ability and portage ability. Movement points are expended every time an action is taken.
The game is played in rounds each of which is 10 minutes in length. In phase 1 of a round, friendly forces can perform any actions as long as the units have enough movement points to carry out those actions. During phase 2, enemy units first move and then fire, if possible, on friendly forces. In phase 3, victory conditions are checked to see if the friendly forces have won. The game ends whenever the victory conditions are met, the friendly force leader (unit 1) is killed, all friendly forces are killed, or time runs out.
