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- ) ### ### DEMO VERSION (
- / \
- / By Bruce Webster \
- / \
- ==============
- INSTRUCTIONS
- ==============
-
- Hopefully this game isn't too hard to work out, but for those who like
- to know exactly what's going on, read on...
-
- Note: This file only lists features available in the DEMO version of R3.
- The full version has MORE things that kill you, but perhaps you
- are not ready for high-speed multi-rocket launchers...
-
-
- MAIN OPTIONS:
- =============
- F1 : Start a one-player MISSION game
-
- F2 : Start a two-player MISSION game (These are co-operative levels)
-
- F3 : Start a two-player DOGFIGHT game
-
- +,- : Change the DOGFIGHT starting level.
- Because dogfight's do not last very many levels, and do not have
- passwords, you may choose which dogfight level to start on.
- Of course, in the DEMO version there are only TWO levels!
-
- F5 : Enter a new password
- After each level in a MISSION game, you will be given a password.
- Pressing F5 and typing the password will get you back to
- the place where you were given the password.
- This is like saving the game.
-
- F6 : Start a game, using the current password.
-
- The two SHIFT keys change the controls for either player
- - the control can be keys, or either joystick.
-
-
- DURING the game
- ---------------
- Your ship controls (chosen on the title page) are shown on your
- console. UP is thrust, LEFT/RIGHT rotates your ship, FIRE fires and
- DOWN fires a homing missile.
-
- The P key pauses play.
-
- The Escape key self-destructs both ships and allows you to try a level
- again. This might come in handy if you manage to get you self into an
- impossible situation.
-
- If you press escape from the ship menu, the game will exit back to the
- title page.
-
-
- BUYING A SHIP:
- ==============
- There are five classes of ship, each with three models.
- The higher the model and class of ship, the more it costs.
-
- Some may consider a class three ship more economical than a Class 5
- "Schmu" with 20 missiles and 60-high-speed-bullets-per-second firepower.
-
- Others, who don't like to splash out may prefer to putter around in a
- Class 1 "Insipid".
-
- At the end of each level you may trade-in your current ship for a better
- one. If you are trading in, a CANCEL option is available - just move
- down off the bottom of the menu.
-
- Movement around the menu is done with the controls selected on the
- titlepage (these are shown on your console at all times). Press Escape
- if you want to go back and change the controls.
-
-
- WHAT YOU SEE:
- =============
-
- During "Loading", your ship is completely repaired, your shield is
- re-energized, your missile banks are re-loaded, and you are teleported
- to the new level.
-
- Each level has its own gravitational, air and water resistance
- characteristics.
-
- You begin each level on your base.
-
-
- BASES: Your base will refuel your ship at any time, and repair damage.
- ------ It is also the drop-off point for any cargo collected on
- mission levels.
-
- You are allowed to return to the OTHER players base. This
- will probably annoy the other player significantly.
-
- Your base will NOT recharge your shield.
-
-
- FUEL: You are loaded up with fuel by your base at the beginning of
- ----- each level. DO NOT take off immediately, or you will have no
- fuel! Your fuel indicator is a yellow line on the side of your
- console. Different ships have different fuel efficiencies.
- If you need more fuel, you can pick up fuel capsules
- (marked 'F') or land on a "FUEL" platform.
-
- Note: Fuel does have mass. Your ship does fly faster on
- a nearly-empty tank.
-
-
- SHIELD: Getting hit, or crashing into a wall does not mean instant
- ------- death. Your ship has a protective shield, and can sustain
- considerable damage before exploding in a ball of flame.
-
- Your shield indicator is a green line on the side of your console.
- Whenever you are hit, or crash into a wall, your shield drops.
-
- If your shield reaches zero, any further impacts could mean
- that your ship will explode. However, it is likely that some
- non-vital components will be fail first.
-
- Some levels contain repair stations (marked with a large '+')
- which repair all damage and fully recharge your shield.
-
- Shields can also be partially recharged by collecting an energy
- disc (a small oval with a '+' on it).
-
-
- DAMAGE: Once you shield is exhausted, any bump or scrape will cause
- ------- systems damage. This means that parts of your ship are likely
- to begin failing as you use them.
-
- Common problems are:
- --------------------
- Launch Failure: While the missile launching mechanism is
- damaged, no missiles can be fired.
-
- Power Failure: The main gun on your ship will become slow
- and erratic.
-
- Stabiliser Damage: Rotation will become erratic.
-
- Turbine Overheat: Your engine will lose power.
-
- Burst fuel valve: Reduces engine power and greatly reduces
- fuel efficiency
-
- Fuel blockage: Thrust becomes erratic.
-
- Damage can be repaired your base or a repair station
- (marked with a large '+').
-
-
- MONEY: You are paid for every enemy you kill and every box you collect.
- ------ There are also coins on some levels. A coin is a small circle
- with a dot in the middle. Each one is worth 400 credits.
-
- The amount of "CASH" you have is constantly displayed on your
- console. Cash is useful for buying new ships.
-
-
- MISSILES: Homing missiles are limited and must reload between firing.
- --------- At the top of your console is a line of spare missiles, the
- missile-ready indicator and view of your missile launch-tube.
-
- Missiles home-in on all enemy targets. It is useful to know
- that missiles can be shot-down, because some enemy missiles
- will inevitably be heading in your direction.
-
-
- DOORS: There are several kinds of doors:
- ------
- Automatic doors:
- These open by themselves.
- It is important to look at the symbol on the door-frame.
-
- An arrow indicates that a door will only let you travel
- through in one direction.
-
- A player symbol means that only one player is allowed
- through.
-
- Push-button doors:
- These hinged doors will only open (or close) when you
- shoot a nearby button.
-
- Locked doors:
- Doors with keyholes require a key before they will open.
- A key will be shown on your console if there are any
- keys on the level. This icon will light up when you
- land on a key, and locked doors will then open for you.
-
- BULLET GATE: These fat little bars open up if you shoot nearby buttons.
- ------------
-
- LIFTS: Hop on. Lifts help transport you up and down treacherous
- ------ passageways.
-
- FANS: These blow your ship off course. Lighter ships will be
- ----- effected to a much greater extent than heavy ships.
-
- GRAVITY
- OBJECTS: These circular objects attract you ship.
- -------- All ships are attracted equally (the effect of mass cancels
- out), but ships with small engines will have difficulty
- getting away from the pull of these objects.
-
- ARROWS: Arrows are there to help. Each time you see a new arrow,
- ------- following it will probably be the fastest way to solve the
- level.
-
- EXPLODING
- BLOCKS: Small white blocks can be cleared away by shooting them.
- -------
- Pillars can be slowly removed by bullets, but homing missiles
- knock LARGE holes in them.
-
- DEFLECTORS: All ammunition bounces off deflectors. Be VERY careful when
- ----------- flying near a deflector panel.
-
- TELEPORTERS: A bright teleporter (marked 'T') will teleport anything
- ------------ (ammo or players) to a dark-coloured tele-receiver.
-
- Some teleporters will send you to a different receiver each
- time you go through it.
-
- Some tele-receivers are the destination point of several
- teleporters.
-
- WATER: Buoyant wobbly stuff.
- ------
-
- LOTS OF
- SHOOTY THINGS: You may find some enemies who want to kill you on some
- -------------- levels. Shoot back, and try not to stay in the line of
- fire. If you keep moving, aiming enemies will have
- difficulty hitting you.
-
- Some hints:
-
- DOME gun: Likes to stay closed and protected
- don't fire at it when it's closed, or
- it will never open.
-
- Dish gun: Dangerous. Some even have protective
- walls around them - making then
- invulnerable unless you can get
- around behind it.
-
- Clamper: These cannot be shot, and do not do
- much damage. They are just a hassle.
-
- Radio gun: Shoots a ring of bullets. To kill
- this, you must find the power-source.
-
-
-
- MISSION LEVELS:
- ===============
-
- Your objective is to collect cargo and return it to your base.
-
- What to collect is shown in the "OBJECTIVE" window on the console.
- When you land on a box, the picture of it lights up to show that you are
- now carrying it, and your cargo gauge will show how full your cargo hold
- is. To finish a level, all boxes must be carried back to your base.
-
- Your ship is much heavier with a full cargo hold. More fuel is needed
- to return to base than was needed to get to the cargo.
-
- Two player MISSION levels are meant to be co-operative. The other
- player is NOT an enemy. Each ship is fitted with a deflector to repel
- the other-player's fire. This is not meant to be a challenge to find
- other ways of killing the other player. You will need his/her help in
- some places.
-
-
- DOGFIGHT:
- =========
-
- On dogfight, the sole objective is to kill the other player.
- There are few puzzles, but lots of opportunities to blow your friend
- into little pieces.
-
-
- STUCK IN A WALL?
- ----------------
-
- Your shield is not perfect. Occasionally, instead of bouncing you off
- an object, you will get stuck inside it!
-
- To get out of a wall, the best strategy is to point INTO the wall, and
- thrust. You should slowly back-out of the wall. Failing that, just try
- not to hit the walls in the first place! ;-)
-
-
-
-
- The registration fee is NZ$20 or 10 pounds sterling (or equivalent).
- To register, send your (real) name and address and the registration fee
-
- TO: Ellen Johnstone (pounds preferred)
- 11 Abbey Rd
- Scone
- Perthshire
- Scotland
- U.K. PH26LW
-
- OR
- Bruce Webster (NZ$ preferred)
- 29 Tika St
- Christchurch
- New Zealand 8004
-
- EMAIL: b.webster@student.canterbury.ac.nz
-
- For more details, see the README file.
-