NIGHTMARE RALLY Its programme code and graphic representation are the copyright of Ocean Software Limited and may not be reproduced, stored, hired or broadcast in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Ocean Software Limited. All rights reserved worldwide. Nightmare Rally runs on the Spectrum 48K/128K computers. Take the road in the toughest of all driving tests. Soon you adapt to the variety of terrain and weather conditions, coping with ice, snow and fog and pushing on through the night; until you begin to suspect that something is different, something is strange as gradually you discover the secrets behind the Nightmare Rally! LOADING 1. Place the cassette in your recorder ensuring that it is fully rewound. 2. Ensure that the MIC socket is disconnected and that the volume and tone controls are set to the appropriate levels. 3. If the computer is a Spectrum 48K or Spectrum+ then load as follows: Type LOAD"" (ENTER). (Note there is no space between the two quotes). The " is obtained by pressing the SYMBOL SHIFT and P keys simultaneously. 4. Press PLAY on your recorder and the game will load automatically. If you have any problems try adjusting the volume and tone controls and consulting Chapter 6 of the Spectrum manual. 5. If the computer is a Spectrum 128K then follow the loading instructions on-screen or in the accompanying manual. CONTROLS Press a key to display the main menu if it is not already on screen. Use option 1 to alternate between one and two players. Option 2 to enter the control editor. Option 3 to alternate between automatic and manual gear changes. Option 0 starts a game. In the control editor mode use option 1 to select joystick control from kempston, cursor, Sinclair left or Sinclair right. Option 2 to define control keys and the halt key. Option 0 (zero) to return to the main menu. To control the car push forward on the joystick or press the Up key to accelerate and pull back on the joystick or press the Down key to brake. To change up a gear press fire and up or to change down a gear press fire and down. In automatic mode it is necessary to change out of neutral as above to select forwards or backwards after which subsequent changes are done automatically, unless you stop completely and the gear selector returns to neutral. When in reverse gear accelerate and brake are transposed so pull back to accelerate and push forward to brake. Use left and right to steer the car. JOYSTICK - FORWARD JOYSTICK - REVERSE ACCELERATE BRAKE | | | | LEFT -- + -- RIGHT LEFT -- + -- RIGHT | | | | BRAKE ACCELERATE Use the halt key to pause a game. To restart press any key and the game will continue once the display is the correct way up. To abort a game press break or caps shift and space. The screen is split into two parts, the top two-thirds showing the view forward from the windscreen and the remaining area showing the dashboard containing your instruments. The two large dials on the dashboard are the speedometer on the left and the tachometer (rev-counter) on the right. To the right of these are two smaller dials showing engine temperature and fuel level. Below these are the distance indicator, the timer (shows time remaining to complete current stage) and the gear selector. Between the speedo and the tacho are two arrows which will turn red to show the correct direction to take around flags and below these are four warning lights to indicate low fuel, high engine temperature, over revv- ing and skidding: (Engine temperature increases if you exceed 7000 revs) and if it reaches too high a level, the brakes are automatically applied to reduce revs. Over revving is caused by changing into a low gear at too high a speed and will also cause temperature to increase more rapidly. As you hit certain obstacles or go the wrong way around flags, the colour of your car will change; if it changes beyond red, that car is lost. A car is also lost if you run out of fuel or time and your remaining cars are indicated in the bottom left of the screen. Before each stage a page of information is shown. This contains the length of the stage in miles, a figure of merit for brakes (the higher this number the quicker you can stop) and the speed above which the car will skid if you steer too violently. Brakes will be less effective and skids more likely on snowy stages for example. There is also a target score displayed which must be achieved to be able to progress to the next stage. If you do not manage this, you will lose a car and have to re-run the stage. Failing to beat the target score is signalled by a low beep and your score being displayed in solid yellow at the end of the stage. GAMEPLAY You must drive through each stage in the shortest time possible. To do this choose your route with care to avoid obstacles which may slow you down. You may find it advantageous however to go a little out of your way to pick up useful objects, time bonuses or bonus points. Each stage has its own character, some may be on an icy surface making brakes ineffective and skids more likely so you will have to think in advance. A stage may be at night so your depth of vision is reduced leaving less time to react or fog may descend slowly reducing visibility and forcing you to slow down or stop. Try to avoid driving into objects, you will have to waste time reversing back out, luckily though they won't damage the car! Hitting trees, bushes, or driving the wrong way around flags will result in the loss of a colour. Always keep to the left of blue flags and to the right of red flags. If in doubt, watch the indicator arrows. Driving through a river at over 20mph will cause the loss of two colours, always look for a way to jump the river instead. Small bumps and bushes will cause tyre wear and if you hit a total of six then a tyre will burst making steering difficult and reducing top speed. Driving through Pi symbols may have no effect or one of three effects a) Turbo Charger - gives faster acceleration and a higher top speed, b) Hyperspace - to various destinations, e.g. start of current stage or a different stage, c) Superturbo - makes you travel at a very high speed and provides immunity to hitting objects, (necessary to complete some very long stages). In addition there are two magical objects, a Pulsating Iris and a Standing Stone, hitting which will have strange effects ... ! GOOD LUCK STATUS AND SCORING The score you have gained so far on the current stage is shown at the left of the dashboard. Below this is displayed either the bonus you have just been awarded, as detailed below, or your total score for all stages to date. To complete the stage your score must be greater than or equal to the target score displayed at the start of the stage. Each flag correctly negotiated 100 points Cone Driven over 500 points Fuel dump driven through 10,000 points Tree or Obelisk flown over 10,000 points Magical Standing Stone effect ????? points Jumping over a hill 1,000 points Somersault over a hill 2,000 points (plus bonus depending on length of time in air) ON COMPLETION OF EACH STAGE 1000 points for each remaining colour and 50 points per second left on counter. Bonus car every 200,000 points. HINTS AND TIPS * If fog restricts your view, use the indicator arrows to steer around flags. * Changing into first gear whilst revving the engine over 7000rpm will give you faster acceleration. * Changing into a lower gear will aid braking allowing you to stop in a shorter distance. * Take note of the braking and skid information at the start of each stage. If a skid does occur, slow down and straighten the wheel then use only small steering movements to prevent further skidding. This software product has been carefully developed and manufactured to the highest quality standards. Please read carefully the instructions for loading. IF FOR ANY REASON YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY IN RUNNING THE PROGRAM AND BELIEVE THAT THE PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE, PLEASE RETURN IT DIRECT TO: MR YATES, OCEAN SOFTWARE LIMITED, 6 CENTRAL STREET, MANCHESTER, M2 5NS. Our quality control department will test the product and supply an immediate replacement if we find a fault. If we cannot find a fault the product will be returned to you at no charge. Please note that this does not affect your statutory rights. CREDITS Produced by D.C. Ward. Written by Ian Morrison and Alan Laird © 1986 Ocean Software Limited. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Re-edited Jim Grimwood's work with correct instructions by Frode Tennebø, 20061123.