Braxx Bluff

BRAXX BLUFF

(Micromega)



A multi-screen 3D rescue game by Tony Poulter for 48K Spectrum.



This programme uses a special loader. Do not be alarmed if the normal

striped border does not appear during loading.





Centuries from now, man has progressed far beyond the limits of the

solar system and has begun to explore unimaginably distant worlds in

search of knowledge and resources. The dangers which await the new

pioneers wherever they land are unknown, and the risk of disaster is

ever-present. In every new system an Intergalactic Rescue cruiser

stands at readiness; a powerfully equipped orbital search and rescue

vessel manned by volunteers of the Life Corps. You are one such, and

today the emergency at Braxx Bluff will make you a hero, or just a

memory ...

Lifeship Vega has achieved orbit around the planet Prolon in the

Arcturan system in response to an emergency call from the planet's

exploration team. Three members of the team had left the ship in their

hydro-crawler and fallen foul of the indigenous life-forms. The

creatures, in their many forms, have fed on all the energy in the

crawler's power-plant, and the craft now lies in the treacherous

terrain of Braxx Bluff, its occupants dying as the life-support system

fails.

Your mission is dangerous ... land, find the crawler and get it back

to the base-ship before the crew die!



CONTROLS

You may select the control keys or joystick you prefer before each

game, your choice being displayed top left all the time. When first

loaded, the cursor keys are used.

The controls always operate your character or craft, unless the fire

button is depressed, whereupon you are controlling your weapon beam

instead. Everything required is therefore on five keys or one

joystick.

At any stage you can SAVE your position by using the S key and

responding to the prompts. Press SPACE afterwards to carry on with the

game.

In the same way, you can LOAD a previously recorded position at any

time after the start with the J key.

You may pause the game by starting a SAVE or LOAD option and just

pressing SPACE to cancel it when ready to restart.

During play pressing SPACE will abort the game. You may exit the

programme without unplugging your Spectrum by pressing CAPS SHIFT and

SPACE (BREAK) between games.



LANDER PHASE

Your score increments whenever the ILS reference dot is central. To

reach the landing point safely you must score at least 8.00 points.

Altitude is shown on the right.



WALKER PHASE

The beeping tone and score indicate the crawler's proximity. If they

rise you are getting nearer, and vice versa. Your way will be blocked

by rocks, which you must go around. At score 20.0 you will be at the

crawler.



LAND-CRAWLER PHASES

The crawler has six speeds. A clunking noisse will tell you if you

clip the road's edge. If you go far enough off track for the road's

edge to reach the inner bonnet markings you will leave the road. When

you fire, the crawler will carry on on its last heading and speed.

Energy left displayed on the left. Each creature which passes you

takes one energy unit. The life readouts of the three crew are on the

right - a straight trace means a dead crewman. The three terrains last

for 10.0 points each, taking you to 50.0 points.



SEA-CRAWLER PHASE

The rocks are fatal if hit, but can be clipped harmlessly. You cannot

slow down and must find the ship by use of the Direction Finder; a

high tone and a rising score mean you are heading in the right

direction, and vice versa.



FINALE

You beach the crawler by the ship and walk into it. The Commander's

enigmatic face appears in congratulation. Your score of 70.0 at this

point is added to for each surviving crewman, up to a best possible

99.9. And then? Well, let's try again for that elusive best score ...