Pastfinder
shoot'em up game for Commodore 64, 1984
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By the year 8878 A.D. exploration had become a thing of the past. Except for a
select group known simply as Pastfinders. To join their ranks one must possess
the stamina to search hundreds of uncharted lands. The knowledge to select only
the proper tools for survival. The ability to dissect complex maps. The unending
desire to live dangerously.
Map Screen
To choose a direction move the blinking pointer with the joystick then press the
button. Red areas are high in radiation, yellow are moderate, and green are low.
- As you uncover more of the map, BASES (white ovals) and STATIONS (blackened
squares) will appear. These are where you deposit your artifacts.
- You begin with one LEEPer in use and four in reserve. Pairs of arrows below
the map point the way to extra LEEPers (a dot instead of an arrow indicates you
are already in the right now).
Menu Screen
This screen displays your current status (rank and number of artifacts
delivered) and lists supplies available for use. It will reappear after each
sector is explored.
Supplies
- Activate supplies by moving the arrow to the ones you want with the joystick
and pressing the button. Supplies (except degradiators) remain in use until you
deactivate them after clearing a sector. However if your LEEPer is destroyed all
activated supplies are lost.
- List of supplies:
HEAVY METAL - slows the rate at which LEEPer absorbs radiation.
BEAM SHIELD - protects LEEPer from enemy fire.
SCRAMBLER - prevents enemy craft from tracking LEEPER.
DERADIATOR - eliminates accumulated radiation (gauge drops to zero).
The Planet
- LEEPers only move forward. To veer right or left move joystick in that
direction. To leap over obstacles tap joystick forward.
- To fire laser press red button. Points vary for each type of enemy mechanism
destroyed.
- A RADIATION GAUGE is at the button of the screen. When levels get too high you
loose a LEEPer (Destroy the small hovering crystals to reduce radiation).
- Pick up ARTIFACTS (plate-shaped objects that do not explode when hit) with
your LEEPer and deposit them at bases or stations. BASES are rectangular; for
each artifact delivered to a base you will get a radiation-free second. STATIONS
are legged platforms; for each artifact delivered to a station you will get a
second of invulnerability.
Also watch for box-like TIME CAPSULES. These, buried by history-conscious
members of the planet's extinct race, contain five artifacts each.
The counter at the bottom of the screen keep track of the artifacts you've
discovered (Note: everytime you loose a LEEPer, you loose half your artifacts).
- Pick up extra LEEPers and supplies strewn across the planet's surface. An
extra LEEPer is awarded every 5.000 points.
- When you finish a sector you automatically return to the map and menu screens.
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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)
[F11] - toggle fullscreen mode
[ScrollLock] - quick switch control ports
[PageDown] - make a screenshot (320x200)