<p>In the age when the castle was supreme it took dedicated warriors to overcome their defences, to loot and pillage, and finally to destroy.</p>
<p>You are armed with a mighty sword cast from the remains of a thunderbolt which fell from the sky many millennia ago. Also in your possession is a magic potion which makes you invincible to all for short periods of time. Armed with these you must penetrate the inner recesses of'4 castles and do battle with all you find in them.</p>
<p>As you progress you will discover many intriguing objects which can behave very strangely. Many are documented such as wooden panels, hour glasses, thorns, portculli, mirrors etc.. But most are not. When you think your stuck, experiment and you'll discover properties you never knew existed.</p>
<p>The subtle blend of arcade timing and adventurist puzzles make Man-At-Arms fiendishly addictive. You must plunder each of the four castles which become increasingly "puzzling" as you progress. Your overall objective is to kill all foes with your mighty sword and to plunder as much of the most valuable treasure as you can carry.</p>
<p>Man-At-Arms is a fascinating challenge with superb sound effects and music. No attention to detail has been spared and you can be sure of many late nights for weeks to come.</p>
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<h4>Objective of the game</h4>
<p>The objective of the game is to score a different preset number of points in each of the four castles.</p>
<p>The castle is deemed to have been taken when this "Finish" score has been reached. You score points by killing guards and snakes and by collecting treasure. There is also a respective time limit in which to complete each castle. When you run out of time you lose one of your four lives.</p>
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<h4>Playing guidelines</h4>
<p>Initially you can only choose to plunder the first castle. When you take this castle you are given a password which will allow you to start at castle 2 in the future etc..</p>
<p>You are armed with a mighty sword and have a magic potion. The latter can make you invincible for short periods of time providing you have enough magical "Energy". You start each life with 150 energy points, the collection of some objects will increase your energy.</p>
<p>With your sword you may destroy ("Punch") certain objects and pieces of scenery up to 8 times per life. Trial and error will be needed. You will also need to kill guards and snakes with your sword. This will require accurate timing but practice makes perfect. Some snakes are not deadly but score valuable points all the same.</p>
<p>If you manage to get on the high score table then you are prompted for your name. If you wish this to be permanently saved to disc then make sure your disc is not write protected.</p>
<tr><td>A</td><td> - </td><td>Sword strike to the left</td></tr>
<tr><td>D</td><td> - </td><td>Sword strike to the right</td></tr>
</table>
<p><b>Mouse or Joystick Controls:</b> </p>
<ul>
<li> Left Button - Sword strike to the left<br>
<li> Middle Button - Invincible<br>
<li> Right Button - Sword strike to the right<br>
</ul>
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<h4>Objects</h4>
<p>There are many objects in Man-At-Arms which behave very differently. Some are undocumented and you will have to figure out for yourself. But here are a few so that your being slain may be delayed:</p>
<ul>
<li> Stone Boulders - These can fall and are greasy so that they slip off one another and anything else greasy for that matter. You may support them but obviously whilst doing so you cannot use your sword.<br>
<li> <b>Barrels </b> - Barrels support other objects but you can move through them with ease.<br>
<li> <b>Wood Panels</b> - When pushed from the side these will slip down as long as what is beneath them is not solid. Listen to them creak when you do so.<br>
<li> <b>Hour Glasses</b> - Give you an extra few seconds.<br>
<li> <b>Thorns </b> - These, when left unchecked/ will grow and choke areas. They may be controlled by pushing objects on them.<br>
<li> <b>Mirrors </b> - Break a mirror and you will get confused?!<br>
<li> <b>Red Marble, Spikes, Flails, Braziers, Lights, Giant Screws</b> - They are all lethal to touch but may be dealt with in various ways or other.<br>
<li> <b>Earth </b> - Some earth is greasy, so beware of objects resting on it. Some can be pushed through, some loves your energy.<br>
<li> <b>Portculli </b> - When you press against these they will rise providing there is soft scenery above them.<br>
