Medway Boys & Ikari - Presents - XENOPHOBE 482 Lines (18607 Bytes Decrunched) Docs by Phantom Lord (MEDWAY BOYS) INTRODUCTION ------------ Xenophobe is an action-orientated game embodying all that is best in MicroStyle games. Easy to play, but difficult to master with a unique split screen and a two player option. XENOPHOBE ...ONE WHO HAS A DEATHLY FEAR OF ANYTHING ALIEN. BACKGROUND ---------- Schickn thought ruefully about the Earth he was leaving - an earth once mighty in his childhood years now insular, polluted, demoralised nad dispirited. The proud forays into space during the '30's and 40's marked a peroid of expansion, an era in which the hope and aspirations of a thousand generations of humanity has been realised. Then in '56 came the first of a series of disasters - The New Phoenix Mars colonists were affected by a mystery plague - some say it was a Martian bug. Most blamed the Central Bloc and the Brazilians and Indians in particular. Earths sensitive political equilibrium was deteriorating with the emergence of new so-called super states - India, Brazil and Pakistan being the major powers. India is now ruling the whole sub continent with an iron fist and proving a major threat to both the new free states of Russia and China. Whether it was biological espionage by the central bloc we'll never know, but nearly a quater of a million souls lost their lives and Earth when its confident, possibly arrogant rush for the stars stumbled. In '58, 80 personnel of the small Io scientific mission were killed by a violent volcanic eruption from the surface of Jupiter. Indeed, '58 was a turning point in humanity - in retrospect, the skimish was inevitable but, when war broke out between India and China, a limited nuclear exchange turned the great cities of New Delhi and Beijing into a vivid vision of hell. It only lasted a week and only twenty warheads were used but the Earth was turned irevocably towards a period of introspection. Why spend money on pointless crusades into the unknown when the cost is the spiritual destruction of the Earth itself? Throughout the free world the 'planetists' were in the ascendancy, with the protection of the Earth their major priority. So the huge orbital platforms surrounding Earth became largely derelict, many with only maintenance personnel and small colonies, only the moon exists as a living shuttle in service. And now this... In '62, transmissions of an unidentified nature were picked up at the edge of the solar system in the region of Neptune. Unmanned scanners and transmitters in the area quickly ceased their broadcasts, blinking out of existence at the same instant. Routine transmissions from the Europa marine colony ceased one week afterwards. The effect Earthside was devastating Xenophobia gripped the world. In some strange way, it unifies the disparate bands of humanity in a common emotion - fear! - WAS IT THE ALIENS WHO DESTROYED THE EUROPA SETTLEMENT? - DID THE MYSTERY MARTIAN VIRUS HAVE AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL ORIGIN? Earth's political strategists now belive the aliens to be studying the planet from our own orbiting platforms! Contact with the scientific teams on board has been lost. One microwave visual gave a frightening insight to the new inhabitants. Schickn reminiscences were shattered by a sharp expletive ny Borolshi or kwak to his friends, a native of the now extinct European colony "Look at the..... thing". The space platform was scarred, revealing damage done by the equivalent of high energy laser cannons. Almost surgically, the space station Zero One Five has an oval hole measuring around 100 metres in its upper ring. So, they're here! No-one on Earth was prepared to even investigate, all being paralysed by fear. Our 'expeditionary force' was a mixed bag of scientific idealists. Embittered European mutants and old spacers like myself were the only ones to take up the challenge from 5 billion people. Looking at the so called 'Combat Crew', Schickn could not resist a smile. Here he was, the leader of the oddest band of mercenaries it was possible to imagine. To them this was no adventure, no military campaign. This was a goddamned crusade. A crusade not just against the unknown. To some, like Kwak, it was a simple question of revenge. For most it was a fight to give the people of Earth a purpose - to save the world from XENOPHOBIA ! MISSION OBJECTIVE ----------------- "The alien life forms are despoilers of intelligent life" EXTERMINATE THE ALIENS! 1. To exterminate aall hostile alien life forms (called "Xenos") that are thought to be infesting the derelict space stations and moon bases. 2. To collect the various forms of hardware thought to be left on board the platforms and bases - which could help the human fight and be useful to the aliens. The appearance of the alien force is repulsive. You must avoid xenophobia! BRIEFING -------- The power of the alien force is unknown - initially, onlt two of your teams from the three squads will be sent in. It is for you to assess relative strengths and send in the two most appropriate personalities. The two combatants will report to the shuttle transfer room where the molecules of each combatant will be dematerialised and rematerialised in the base. Travelling from room to room and level to level (by using the elevator), you must accomplish the first objective to exterminate the required number of xenos in each level of the base within a time limit or else the pests will over-run the base. The length of time varies with the number of levels. The battle between the Exterminator(s) and the xenos may result in three different outcomes: 1. Time runs out, the xenos overrun the base, and the base self-destructs after the Exterminator(s) returns to the mothership via the "transfer disc". 2. The player (Exterminator) orders a "fast destruct" of the base to prevent it from being overrun by Xenos. The base is destroyed after the Exterminator returns to the mothership via the "transfer disc". 3. The player (Exterminator) clears the base of Xenos. The Exterminator(s) return to the mothership via the "transfer disc". HOW TO PLAY THE GAME -------------------- Research into the nature of the Xenos has provided this breakdown of what you can expect. CONTROLS -------- The standard controls are as follows: ATARI ST AND COMMODORE AMIGA Joystick control Waggle : Throw critter, cut Tentacle, pull off Festor 1.PLAYER STANDING FORWARD: FORWARD LEFT: a.JUMP UP FORWARD RIGHT: JUMP LEFT b.ACTION 1 JUMP RIGHT \ | / \ | / \ | / \ | / +---------+ | + | LEFT:--------| +++ |--------RIGHT: WALK LEFT | + | WALK RIGHT +---------+ / | \ / | \ / | \ / | \ DOWN LEFT: DOWN: DOWN RIGHT: CROUCH TO LEFT a.CROUCH CROUCH TO RIGHT b.ACTION 2 2.PLAYER CROUCHED FORWARD: FORWARD LEFT: a.STAND UP FORWARD RIGHT: JUMP TO LEFT b.ACTION 1 JUMP TO RIGHT \ | / \ | / \ | / \ | / +---------+ | + | LEFT:--------| +++ |--------RIGHT: SHUFFLE LEFT | + | SHUFFLE RIGHT +---------+ | | | | DOWN: ACTION 2 Fire button: Fires in the direction the current weapon is pointing. The player can alter the angle that the weapon is pointing by moving the joystick up or down. The facility to alter the angle of the gun lasts for approximately two seconds after pressing the fire button. Bombs: Space bar - player one throws bombs (if available) 0 (Key Pad) - player two throws bombs (if available) THE STATUS LINE --------------- Below each figure is the STATUS LINE. This shows: +--------+----------+----------+-------+ | | | | | | | | | | +--------+----------+----------+-------+ SCORE ACTION 1 ACTION 2 HEALTH 1/ The player's current score. 2/ The player's remaining health. When this is exhausted your figure loses his life. 3/ ACTION 1 & ACTION 2 display functions that a player can invoke at certain points of the game. For instance, when you approach an object to be collected, the Action 2 box will register "PICK UP OBJECT". To do this you must move the joystick towards you. ACTION 1: | PUSH BUTTON | INSERT DISC FIX GIZMO | STASH WEAPON SHOW I.D. | LIFT - GO UP USE "OBJECT" | BREAK GLASS | ACTION 2: INSERT KEY | PICK UP "OBJECT" REMOVE KEY | LIFT - GO DOWN WEAPONS ------- To help defend against the Xeno attacks you will find a variety of weapons to use. These are: SMOKE GUN: Most powerful hand gun ever, nothing can stop it. But suffers from a very short range and don't drop it! PHASER: Standard issue single shot weapon. Only really effective against small targets but virtually indestructable. LASER PISTOL: Long range attack weapon that will burn through most armour but does lack a big punch. Can be destroyed but is fairly tough. LIGHTNING RIFLE: Medium range electrical weapon which is very effective against Xenos. Has a tendancy to short out and explode if dropped. BOMBS: Hand thrown grenades cause high intensity explosion but tend to rebound off walls so use with care. NOTES: 1. Should you lose your weapon a droid will appear and throw a new weapon for use. 2. You can still fight even without a weapon. Remember, you can punch the invaders.....but they're tough dudes. ALIENS ------ | NAME | DESCRIPTION | METHOD OF ATTACK | +--------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | POD | A green spore which | None | | | will hatch into a | | | | critter after a period| | | | of time. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | CRITTER | A cross between a | It physically "latches| | | small, three-legged | onto the Exterminator | | | squid and a scorpion | with its legs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | ROLLERBABY | A thick-skinned cross | After curling into a | | | between a large turtle| ball, it knocks the | | | and an armadillo | Exterminator down by | | | | rolling into him (her)| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | TENTACLE | Not an individual | It "latches" onto the | | | creature, but rather | Exterminator by | | | one of many long- | wrapping around the | | | reachind appendages | Exterminators head | | | of a huge creature | | | | hiding behind walls | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | SNOTTERPILLAR| A very large, leaping | 1. It knocks the | | | heavily armoured cross| Exterminator down by | | | between a lizard and a| leaping against him | | | caterpillar that spits| (or her.) | | | a slimey venom at its | 2. It strikes (and | | | victims | sometimes knocks down)| | | | the Exterminator with | | | | its spit. | +--------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | FESTOR | A very large, menacing| 1. It "latches" onto | | | reptile-like creature | the Exterminator with | | | waits (behind walls, | its telekinetic gaze | | | near doors, windows | 2. It strikes (and | | | and other openings) to| sometimes knocks down)| | | attack without warning| the Exterminator with | | | | a ball-like egg (which| | | | changes into a Pod | +--------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ As well as these creatures you may find some of the bases automatic defense systems may attack or hinder you unless you have the correct ID or object to bypass them. PERSONELL DATA / COMBAT CREW ---------------------------- DAMAGE TO PLAYER-CHARACTER (EXTERMINATOR) AND PLAYER HEALTH POINTS LOST ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF ACTION THAT CAUSES DAMAGE TO PLAYER HEALTH PLAYER-CHARACTER (EXTERMINATOR) POINTS LOST Exterminator is hit by Fist of another Exterminator. 1 point Phaser (gun) explodes when it lands too close to a 1 point doorway after being knocked away from the Exterminator. (Laser) Pistol explodes when it lands too close to a 2 points doorway after being knocked away from the Exterminator. (Lightning) Pistol explodes when it lands too close to a 3 points doorway after being knocked away from the Exterminator. The Exterminator is hit by a laser beam from the ball 4 points (servomech). (Smoke) Gun explodes when it lands too close to a 10 points doorway after being knocked away from the Exterminator. The Exterminator walks into an active Electrical Force 50 points Wall. A Rollerbaby knocks down the Exterminator. 50 points A Snotterpillar strikes the Exterminator with its spit. Varies between 35 to 100 points* The Exterminator is hit by dripping slime from the 75 points ceiling. The Exterminator is hit by a Bomb thrown by another 100 points Exterminator. The Exterminator is hit by an Egg thrown by a Fester. Varies between 20 to 130 points* The Exterminator is knocked down by a Snotterpillar. 150 points A Critter "latches" onto the Exterminator causing 2 points/ a continuous health point drain decrement A Tentacle "latches" onto the Exterminator causing 4 points/ a continuous health point drain decrement A Festor "latches" onto the Exterminator causing 20 pojnts/ a continuous health point drain decrement * THE FURTHER THE DISTANCE, THE FEWER HEALTH POINTS WILL BE LOST. BLUE SQUAD ---------- Col Schickn. AGE - 52. BACKGROUND - Spacer, Mercenary, and Trader. STATUS - Leader of the Combat Crew. Mr Eeez. AGE - 32. BACKGROUND - Former Martian Colonist. STATUS - Mercenary. Dr Zordirz. AGE - 38. BACKGROUND - Former Member of the Space Platform Science Team. STATUS - Platform Advisor. YELLOW SQUAD ------------ Dr Udderbay. AGE - 29. BACKGROUND - Former Member Of The Lunar Science Team. STATUS - Lunar Advisor. Mr Fogg. AGE - 24. BACKGROUND - Psycopath! STATUS - Mercenary. Col F. Truth. AGE - 30. BACKGROUND - Professional Soldier. STATUS - Mercenary. RED SQUAD --------- Mr M Brace. AGE - 25. BACKGROUND - Former Colonist Of The I.O. Scientific Mission. STATUS - Mercenary. Dr (Kwak) Korolski. AGE - 25. BACKGROUND - Former Colonist Of The Europa Marine Mission. STATUS - Mercenrary. Col Poupon. AGE - 22. BACKGROUND - Proffesional Soldier. STATUS - Mercenrary. TECHNICAL SUPPLEMENT -------------------- NOTES ON MENU ------------- Players This option allows the choice of ONE or TWO players. Music Use this option to turn the music ON or OFF. Sound Effects Use this option to turn the FX ON or OFF. Difficulty Use this option to select the overall difficulty of the game. Ammunition Setting this option switches between UNLIMITED and LIMITED ammunition (for a more difficult game). Start Level Sets up which space station you start on. Please check your selections before leaving this screen as they cannot be reset from the main screen. Xenophobe takes advantage of the individual advantages of your computer so this supplement lists the differences from the manual. CONTROLS: Joystick movements remain the same. THROW BOMBS: AMIGA SPACE KEY for Player One. 0 Key for Player Two. STATUS LINE: You will find that the Score and Health ratings have changed places on screen. WEAPONS AND FIGHTING: Your Exterminator will not be allowed to punch invaders or other Players. T H E E N D .