Rescue! 2.0 is the latest version of the multi-window, color-capable action adventure written by Tom Spreen and inspired by the Star Trek: The Next Generation™ universe! It's a fast-action rescue mission set in space which requires both strategy and arcade-style reactions.
This version is a major upgrade with many changes and improvements. (Note that full on-line help is available if you're not familiar with one of the earlier versions.)
--- REQUIREMENTS ---
Rescue! is now compatible with System 6. The program will run on ANY Macintosh with System 6.0.7 or later. (for maximum speed and visual enjoyment you'll want a color Mac with a 68030 or faster CPU.)
The game requires about 1.3 MB of hard disk space, and 2.6 MB of available memory in which to run. (Black & white users need only 1 MB available memory.)
Rescue! 2.0 has been tested compatible on several Macs including the Macintosh SE, LC II, LC III, LC 475 and 575, Mac II, IIx, IIci, IIfx, IIvx, Centris 610 & 650, Quadra 840AV, Power Macintosh 6100/60, and Power Macintosh 8100/80AV.
--- MAJOR BUG FIXES ---
• Slowdown problems which occurred in version 1.6 and earlier have been completely fixed; Rescue! 2.0 now requires less memory than these earlier versions and may be left running as long as you like.
• Sounds play smoothly and without the occassional screeches or scratches which would occur in earlier versions.
--- CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS ---
• Enhanced graphics and sounds! All of the graphics have been revamped and have a larger, higher quality look. Plus, there's extra sounds to add to the feel of the game.
• More races! Now present in the game (if you want them) are new races based on the Ferengi, Cardassians, Klingons, and even the Borg... There are also asteroids of various sizes randomly wandering through the galaxy.
• Customizable Missions! A new Mission Setup dialog lets you create your own custom mission, or select from four preset missions.
• Heads Up Display for the Main Viewer showing commonly needed statistics on the Enterprise.
• Evasive maneuvers when you need them. There are three different preprogrammed maneuvers.
• Enhanced Chase mode lets you chase nearest, strongest, or weakest enemy; nearest friendly; nearest asteroid; or find nearest wormhole.
• Option to have the computer automatically snap on the shields when an enemy is nearby, and also automatically lock on to the nearest enemy vessel.
• Improved tracking abilities when auto-seeking a destination; no more erratic, winding paths to planets and starbases.
• Improved weapons and targeting systems; your ability to fire on a target now depends on your distance from it, rather than the size of the Main Viewer. You can also now target (and fire on) ANYTHING if you so choose.
• Sensor scan now has three levels of intensity:
- low (detects vessels, starships and planets)
- med (detects vessels, starships, planets, and asteroids)
- high (detects vessels, starships, planets, asteroids and most cloaked ships)
• The MENUS have changed significantly. If you're used to the menu layout in version 1.6 or earlier, be sure to browse through version 2.0's menus for a while and have a look at the changes and additions. Some changes have also been made to the command-key equivalents! You'll note especially that the Computer menu has changed a lot, with many new features available.
• Lots of new keyboard commands and key equivalents for often-used commands:
H - toggle Heads Up Display (HUD)
(color users: keep hitting 'H' to select different HUD colors)
Z - hot key to zoom the Main Viewer in & out
, and . - increase or decrease warp factor or impulse speed
[ and ] - increase or decrease phaser intensity
{ and } - increase or decrease torpedo salvo
- and + - increase or decrease scan intensity
• Many other additional changes and improvements have been made. Let me know what you think!
If you have any suggestions or bug reports, please drop me a line! Your inputs were an essential part of the enhancement process for version 2.0.
--- COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS ---
With earlier versions of Rescue! there have been reports of reduced game performance when AlSoft's DiskExpress II v2.2 is running in the background. If you have this software, it is recommended that you turn the DiskExpress control panel OFF before beginning the game.
The Mobius '030 Accelerator for Mac SE (Mobius Init 4.99) has been found to cause sound problems with Rescue! on a Mac SE.
Sigma Design's Power Portrait SCSI monitor (Init v2.0.2) can cause screen junk to appear during game play, with occasional crashes.
--- DISTRIBUTION AND LEGAL STUFF ---
Rescue! may not be distributed for profit. Non-profit distribution of Rescue! is acceptable and encouraged, providing that the software is not modified in any way, and this read me file always accompanies the program. If you're including Rescue! as part of a shareware or other commercial package, drop me a line to let me know who you are and how you're distributing it.
Star Trek™ is Paramount's property, not mine. As such, I've decided that in the spirit of "doing the right thing" and in the interest of keeping Rescue! lawyer-friendly, I've removed any direct references to Star Trek™ names such as Romulan, Picard etc. and replaced them with substitute names. These substitute names are certainly not as satisfying as having the "real thing", but since the names are only occasionally referred to anyway in the course of a game, I've found that this take only a little away from the enjoyment of the program. I've also modified the sounds to be a bit less Trek-like.
--- WHERE TO REACH ME ---
Rescue! is shareware. If you like the game and decide to keep it, please register your copy by sending $10.00 in US or Canadian funds to the address below. Thanks! This entitles you to free upgrades, plus a hint (if you ask for it) on how to kill a certain cube-shaped ship...
Cheques written on US or Canadian banks are acceptable, as are money orders.
The postal address below should be reliable for several years:
Tom Spreen
1567 Brodick Cres.
Victoria, B.C.
Canada V8N 1N3
My e-mail address is: tomspreen@aol.com
Have fun!
Tom Spreen
June 1994
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RESCUE! VERSION HISTORY
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1.0 (April 1993) - Initial release version.
1.1 to 1.4 - did not exist.
1.5 (August 1993) - Added color capability, Engineering menu, wormholes, repair prioritization, pause feature, and ability to continue battling remaining Romulans after the original rescue mission was completed. Revised Enterprise & Romulan energy routines, changed some sounds and menu commands. Fixed bugs in high score window.
1.5.1 (August 1993) - partial fix of memory allocation problem which was present in version 1.5.
1.6 (Sept 1993) - added starbase defensive fire, preferences dialog, compatibility with 68000 based Macs like the Plus and SE, and compatibility with Sound Manager 3.0.
1.7 to 1.9 - did not exist.
2.0 (May 1994) - this Read Me file describes 2.0's new features.
2.0.1 (May 1994) - fixed a bug in which very often the player would not get credit for killing the cube ship.
2.0.2 (May 1994) - some sounds changed to non TNG-similar sounds out of respect for Paramount's rights.
2.0.3 (June 1994) - better compatibility with older Macs, Power Macs, and system 6; several logic bug fixes, game speed control, and further improvements to the alien races and the sounds.
