===================== Battle of the Planets ===================== Document created by rstuart@ukonline.co.uk on 18th August 2000 for World of Spectrum: http://www.void.jump.org Taken from the Microvalue compilation 'Four Great Games Volume 2' BATTLE OF THE PLANETS Battle of the Planets is a space adventure. Now you can join G Force in their latest adventure to defeat their arch enemy Zoltar. Microvalue, Tynesoft Computer Software, Unit 3, Addison Industrial Estate, Blaydon, Tyne & Wear NE21 4TE. Battle of the Planets - Operating Manual ---------------------------------------- ZOLTAR has declared Galactic war in your universe, which consists of five planetary systems which are: 1. XENATH 2. ELIAS 3. HORAF 4. OLIXAL 5. PETE Alien space craft surround each planet and after a certain time lapse they will land on the planet and destroy the Civilization/Life on that planet. Your performance in space will limit the amount of alien craft landing on the planet in that system. On the planets you will repair and fuel ships that you may dock with in order to replenish and repair your space craft. Your space craft is equipped with a laser system, neutron torpedoes and a long range scanner. The long range scanner has three main indicators that appear on the screen edges. {See fig 1 of BattleOfThePlanetsInstructions.GIF} Also there are two other symbols displayed on the screen these are: {See fig 2 of BattleOfThePlanetsInstructions.GIF} Whilst on the planet the long range scanner will show the repair ships by a spanner and wrench symbol and the fuel ships by a fuel can symbol. Navigating your ship through a Hyper-space gate will enable you to jump to other planetery systems. In order to intercept either the hyper-space gate, alien space craft or one of the planets move the navigation cursor/laser sights via the directional controls towards the craft in that direction. When an alien space craft is located, the navigation cursor/laser sight enables you to direct your laser fire. Excessive use of your laser system will cause a system failure until the temperature falls to an acceptable reading. The remaining energy of the laser system is indicated by the cell reading. Both the laser temperature indication and cell readings are available on status screen 5. Status screen 4 provides details of your neutron torpedo armament. Planet data on status screen 3 reports on the Landers (Alien space that have landed) and the amount of planetary life still remaining, which will decrease and will eventually be completely annihilated unless you locate the landers and destroy them. If you fail to do this the planet will be destroyed. THIS WILL RESULT IN YOUR OWN DESTRUCTION. When you wish to leave a planet increase your thrust and head your ship upwards by use of the navigation cursor/laser sights. Status screen 2 gives details of your power unit, which comprises of fuel level, thrust and power unit temperature. Excessive thrust will cause your power unit to overheat and an automatic cut-out will overide your thrust until the temperature returns to an acceptable level. Your shield level is indicated on status screen 1. Left, Right and Forward shields are all indicated. The bottom right of the screen displays all these status indicators and to the right of each is a global indicator that will show green if levels are acceptable, amber if levels are falling and red if the situation is becoming critical. Final impending disaster will be indicated by the red indications flashing. Game Playing Tips ----------------- As you progressively gain more experience you will be able to judge the alien craft speed, some move slowly, others are so fast that you may run the risk of over-heating your power units. If your laser unit becomes overheated you may select your neutron torpedoes to defend yourself, but this armament is limited. The neutron torpedoes may be dynamically homed on to the target, but some alien craft have sensors that can detect this and will automatically take avoiding action. All alien craft will react and change direction if you successively score a hit upon them. The number of hits required will depend on their own status condition some will be destroyed very easily, others may take many hits before being destroyed. You will find it to your advantage to monitor your shield status at regular intervals. If you completely lose one of your shields you can still survive in a battle by turning the part of your craft with the greatest shield status to face the alien craft. The forward shield is generally the strongest part of your defense system. Be careful not to land on a planet that is about to be destroyed, it may be preferable to seek a hyperspace gate to rearm and refuel from some other planet. It is up to you to find the correct balance of all the above information and of course your skill is the most important factor. Battle of the Planets --------------------- If you are using the keyboard, the controls are Q to T up A to G down P and I right O and U left B to space operates lasers Caps shift to V operates neutron torpedo K to increase speed J reduce speed 1 to 5 status instruction To load Battle of the Planets LOAD ""