We know nobody reads instructions for games, so we are quickly going to tell you what you need to know to enable you to play this demo, then explain in more depth later.
Once the demo has loaded press the mouse buttons to start the action, or press Space to use the options menu.
During gameplay, Select accelerates you ship, Adjust fires lasers, and Menu launches smart bombs.
This demo version has only 4 levels, but we doubt you will get that far, as you will automatically be shot to smithereens without warning after 2 minutes.... Your going to have to buy the full version to continue.
The full game contains \bloads\B more levels, some easier than those of the demo, and some harder. In game stereo music tracks, loads of enemy fighters, and Hi-Scores animations.
The full game is available from:
\bOregan Software Developments\B
36 Grosvenor Avenue
Streetly
Sutton Coldfield
B74 3PE
Tel : 021 353 6044 Access / Visa welcome.
Recommended Retail Price \b£24.95\B
Also available from \ball\B good Acorn software stockists.
\h2\uThe Story of the Magnetoids\H\U
In the year 2156 the Terran empire has extended to the edges of the galaxy. Many outposts have been built at the frontiers of the known universe, manned by a few scientists, in order to make contact peacefully with the alien lifeforms known to exist beyond.
One of these bases is 61 Cygni, 11.1 light years from earth. Not long ago, there was an encounter of a special kind, the sort of thing, which exobiologists, philosophers, traders and politicians were longing for, like prisoners for freedom.
But communication was found to be surprisingly difficult, no-one was able to make sense of the data received in any way. Despite of that, the scientists persisted in sending the aliens messages transmitted in various codes, but without any success.
A few days later, however, they had some sort of breakthrough. A bunch of extra terrestrial spacecraft were approaching 61 Cygni. They had an incredibly weird object in tow, which the scientists were unable to make sense of. In a lack of a better expression, or any scientific explanations, they called it "The Dumpling".
In a hurry, the only research vessel ready for launch was sent to welcome the convoy. But then, something totally unexpected happened. For some unexplained reason, the craft lost its course and crashed into the Dumpling.
The pressure of time seemed to be detrimental to the objectivity of the following discussions. Two scientists had died, the aliens' intention was obscure, possibly the whole base was in danger. Thus, they came to the conclusion that attack was the best means of defence.
A small manoeuvrable shuttle was hastily equipped with laserguns, missiles and a deflector shield. The problem, however, is energy. The base is powered by the energy of a distant star, so the shuttle's positroneum batteries have not been fully charged, and can only power some of the shuttle's systems.
Now, the deadly conflict takes its own course, and cannot suggest any explanation of the aliens' doing. They just want to trade, with the most valuable, and most destructive goods they have, with ...
\h2 M A G N E T O I D S\H
\h2\uThe Options Menu Screen\H\U
This appears when you press space at the title screen. You can highlight and change options with the cursor keys, the up and down cursors select different options, the left and right cursors adjust the setting of these options.
\bShip Type\B
Choose one from the two ships available. Each ship has different flight characteristics, which are best discovered by experimentation.
\bControls\B
Choose either keyboard set A, keyboard set B, mouse, Acorn joystick, or RTFM joystick control.
\bSensitivity\B
The sensitivity factor determines the speed at which the craft reacts to the controls. Adjust this in the range 1 to 8.
\bAuto-Centering\B
This factor determines if, and how fast the craft stabilizes itself when rotating. When not using the mouse, it is recommended to make use of this feature. Advanced players using the mouse should try and set the auto-centering factor to zero. You may adjust this in the range 0 to 8.
\bControl\B
Move the mouse or joystick horizontally to roll, move it vertically to pitch the nose up or down.
Action Keyboard Mouse Joystick
Set A Set B
Bank Left Z < . .
Bank Right X > . .
Turn Up . X . .
Turn Down ; S . .
Thrust Space Space Select Space
Lasers Return A Adjust Fire Button
Missile Shift / Menu Shift
\bGeneral controls\B
F1 ................................ pause (Space or Select to resume)
Cursor Up ................... slide camera forward
Cursor Down .............. slide camera backward
Esc .............................. end game (when playing)
Esc .............................. exit program (at the title screen)
Fire ............................. start game (at the title screen)
During gameplay, you can adjust the position of your viewpoint using the up and down cursor keys. This will not effect the gameplay at all. Greater distance from the craft gives you a better view of the action, but may reduce your shooting accuracy.
\bFiring Missiles\B
When the corresponding power-up is collected, one of the craft's missile racks is activated. You get four missiles each time.
A missile sight will appear ahead of your craft allowing you to target a missile. To do so, hold down the 'fire missile' key. The colour of the sight will change to yellow. When a target comes into the crosshairs, The missile will lock onto the target and fire immediately, and the sight colour will change to red. The sight remains fixed onto the target, until the missile is destroyed. You cannot fire again during this time, as the target computer cannot track multiple targets.
The missiles are designed for use against enemy spacecraft, but may also be used against any flying target, but be careful as using missiles against asteroids will result in a rather uncontrolled explosion!
\h2\uThe Top Panel\H\U
\bThe Scanner\B
The scanner shows all objects in the local vicinity. The centre of it represents the position of your craft. Objects are represented on the scanner by markers. Red markers are enemy spacecraft, violet markers are magnetoids, and blue markers are powerups. The length of the vertical bars joined to the markers, indicate the objects' vertical position above, or below your craft.
