Blue Max
world war flight shoot'em up game for Commodore 64, 1983
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F1 key - Play music
F3 key - Display options
F5 key - Select options
F7 key - Start/Stop program
PLAY INSTRUCTIONS
OBJECTIVE
You are Max Chatsworth. Known by your mates as 'The Blue Max' you
wear the very name of the medal given by the Axis powers to shoot
down your plane! Now, you must earn the title. To be successful
you must make a final assault on three specially marked targets
within the city. You have only one aircraft and very little time
to accomplish this most difficult of missions.
TAKEOFF
Press [SPACE] on the computer console. Your plane will
automatically taxi. When the speed reaches 100mph press FORWARD
on the joystick (in port 2). Your plane will lift off the runway
and you may proceed with your mission at your desired altitude.
Subsequent takeoffs will begin automatically when repairs have
been made, or you can abort repairs with a press of the joystick
button. Again your speed MUST BE AT LEAST 100 MPH to successfully
lift off.
TARGETS
These include all bridges, buildings, enemy planes, tanks,
antiaircraft batteries, vehicles and ships. From time to time
some targets will be specially marked as follows:
Buildings and bridges with flashing red-white bullseye
Flashing blue enemy planes
Flashing blue cars
Red ships
There are primary targets and a certain number must be destroyed
in order to gain entry to the next level.
STRAFING
Air-to-ground strafing can be accomplished by reducing your
altitude to 21-25 feet, (the command bar will show a steady
brown color) and pressing your fire button. Left and right
movement will improve starting results. Attempting to bomb will
most likely cause a crash.
BOMBING
Bombing is accomplished by pressing the fire button on pulling
back on the joystick. You will descent during a bombing run, so
be sure that your aircraft is high enough.
LANDING
When a friendly runway approaches, a tone will be heard and a
green "R" will appear on the command bar. Press the fire button
to lower the landing gear, and the "R" will change to an "L".
When you are over the runway, descend and land. Repair work will
begin automatically and you can watch progress on your command
bar. If you wish to abort the repair work, press the fire button.
As with all takeoffs, your speed MUST reach 100 mph before
liftoff.
CONTROL DISPLAY
F = Fuel left
B = Bombs left
ALT = Altitude
SPD = Speed
W = Wind Factor
P = enemy plane approaching
Red * (top of command bar) = Enemy plane above
Runway 'R' or Landing gear 'L' flashing = Must land (enemy city
approaching)
DAMAGE DISPLAY
Anti-aircraft fire as well as enemy planes can damage your
aircraft. When hit, the command bar turns red briefly. Damage is
shown along the top right of the command bar as follows:
F = Fuel leak
B = Bomb gear damaged (intermittent bombing)
M = Decreased maneuverability
G = Machine gun damage (intermittent firing)
When all the above are lit, the next anti-aircraft hit causes a
crash.
COMMAND BAR COLORS
Red = hit by enemy gun or anti-aircraft
Blue = at same altitude as enemy plane - can now be destroyed
Brown = strafing altitude
Flashing Yellow = flying too low-a crash is imminent!
Flashing Green = Mission complete-land and receive award
OPTIONS
Press F3 for options. Press F5 to select options.
Normal CTRL = push joystick forward to climb, back to descent
Reverse CTRL = pull back to climb, push forward to descent.
Gravity = plane will drop when joystick is released
No Gravity = plane will NOT drop when joystick is released.
HINTS
1. Climb slightly just prior to releasing a bomb. Bombing causes
you to drop in altitude.
2. At higher altitudes you need to lead your target a bit more.
Use your shadow as a general benchmark.
3. Don't excite the Axis powers! They anger easily and may come
after you in greater numbers.
4. Stay airborne. Crashing shortens game play!
Good Luck!
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Some useful keyboard shortcuts
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[PAUSE] - stop/continue game
[F9] - quick load game state
[F12] - quick save game state (still stored after leaving the site)
[F10] - toggle performance meter
[F11] - toggle fullscreen mode
[ScrollLock] - quick switch control ports
[PageDown] - make a screenshot (320x200)