Turrican II
shoot'em up platformer game for Commodore 64, 1991
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE GAME
--------
Turrican travels through five different worlds in which he will be
confronted by various perils. In the middle of the game he has to
enter a space ship and fight through 3 levels with this hyper fast
moving ship. Ever changing enemies will constantly try to destroy
you. You will have to use your weapons skillfully in order to survive
the various levels. To assist you in battle, further weapons and
extras may be obtained during your journey, e.g. forceshields and
extra lives.
Examine every level closely, you will find new surprises and useful
items everywhere.
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
--------------------
General information: The game is played with joystick and keys.
Owners of an Amiga may use a joystick with two independent fire
buttons. This is explained below.
Joystick up: Player jumps. If he is in the gyroscope mode, he will
transform back to normal again.
Joystick down: Player ducks away, e.g. from enemies.
Joystick down and press space: The player will transform into a
gyroscope. While in this state the player is invincible and will
detroy enemies on touch. The gyroscope spins automatically, and can
only be directed to move left or right with the joystick. This shape
also allows you to pass through narrow corridors. Turrican may
transorm into a gyroscope as often as he wants to. Only in the
gyroscope mode he can place mines... The mine is placed on the ground
and explodes shortly afterwards. Various enemies around can be dealt
with in this manner.
Joystick left/right: Moves player left/right.
Keeping the fire button drpressed: The player can activate a flash of
lightning (Surround) and may direct it (as long as the firebutton is
held), by moving the joystick left (lightning rotates anti-clockwise)
or right (lightning rotates clockwise). The lightning can be of
different lengths. At the beginning of the game, it stretches over
half the width of the screen. By gathering up extras it can be
extended to stretch over the whole width of the screen.
Pressing firebutton briefly: Player fires.
THE WEAPONS
-----------
MULTIPLE SHOT
The multiple shot can be increased twice in strength by collecting the
right symbols. That means in the end this weapon has 5 shots.
LASER
The laser has a high penetration rate, making it very effective when
fighting against several enemies simultaneously. The laser fires
horizontally, and can be increased in strength by up to 5 times by
gathering the corresponding symbols. The laser will then increase in
width and become more effective.
BOUNCE
This shot can be increased in strengthy by up to three times. Very
efficient in narrow passages or caves. When twice in strength, the
balls burst into smaller balls bouncing back from the walls.
POWER LINES
C64, SPECTRUM: SPACE BAR
AMSTRAD: RETURN
Releases two energy beams, moving right and left over the full height
of the screen. All enemies in range will be destroyed. Should an
obstacle bar the way, the beam will be terminated.
SUPERWEAPON
Pressing the fire button and SPACE (or second firebutton)
simultaneously the super weapon is activated. Once per life Turrican
can activate this weapon. It is the most effective weapon as all
weapon systems are activated simultaneously. The window at the bottom
left indicates whether this is still available.
PAUSES GAME
-----------
Pressing CTRL: Pauses game
Press the firebutton to continue
ESC - Quit the game and return to the introductory sequence.
THE SYMBOLS
-----------
During his mission, the player will find the following symbols with
useful functions.
(Picture of a large six-pointed star)
Shoot this symbol to activate the hidden extra.
(Picture of three teardrop-shaped symbols in a box)
Red - MULTIPLE
Activates multiple shot. If already active, the shot will increase in
strength.
(Picture of large 'P' in a box)
Yellow 'P' - POWER-UP
Recharges energy.
(Picture of large 'L' in a box)
White 'L' - POWER LINE
The player gains an energy beam.
(Picture of a three-pronged arrowhead in a box)
Green - LASER
Activates laser. If already active, the Laser will be increased in
strength.
(Picture of a small circle inside a large circle in a box)
Purple - BOUNCE
Activates the bounce shots. If already active, the Bounce will be
increased in strength.
(Picture of a lightning bolt in a box)
Blue - SURROUND
Extends lightning.
(Picture of a small six-pointed star in a box)
Light blue - SHIELD
Activates force shield, making the player invincible for a short
duration. Enemies will be destroyed on touch during this period.
(Picture of a large '1up' in a box)
Grey '1 up' - ONE-UP
The player gains an extra life.
(Picture of a 'sun' symbol in a box)
Yellow - SMART BOMB
Touching this symbol destroys all smaller opponents on the screen.
DIAMONDS
--------
Once the player has gathered up 100 diamonds, he receives 'CONTINUE',
i.e. has the chance to continue the game after all lives have been
lost. The maximum no. of CONTINUES is 5 (that means there are exactly
599 diamonds hidden). You can view the number of CONTINUES at the
bottom left. NOTE: There are no CONTINUES when the game is started.
The player has 3 lives at the start of each game. He can lose them in
three ways:
1. Time, indicated on the display runs out. The screen display will
announce TIME OUT.
2. The player has lost all of his energy. A loss of energy occurs
every time the player touches an enemy or is hit by enemy fire.
3. The player falls into an abyss.
If you lose a life the number of energy beams will default to 3.
Surround, multiple, bounce and laser will be reduced - if not already
at minimun strength.
THE DISPLAY
-----------
The player can gain the following information from the display (from
left to right):
* Number of lives. * Number of energy beams.
* Number of CONTINUES. * Score.
* Time. * Energy (above score).
* Number of diamonds.
HIGHSCORE TABLE
---------------
Please follow the instructions on the screen!
SPECTRUM, AMSTRAD
If you achieve a top score, you may enter the highscore table, After
entering your name press RETURN.
C64
A menu will appear. Enter the main menu by pressing the firebutton.
Pressing the S-key will prompt a request to insert side 1 of your
disk. Return to the menu by pressing the RUN/STOP-key, or press the
firebutton to save a highscore.
AMSTRAD, SPECTRUM, C64
It is not possible to save highscores
TIPS AND TRICKS
---------------
* Try to use all weapon systems. Think carefully which system will
best help you in a given situation.
* Use the gyroscopes! Remember you can use them as often as you want
to. Don't forget you are invulnerable and can use mines!
* Collect as many lives and Continues as possible.
* Never give up - there is always a solution...
* Do not always take the easiest way - there are hidden secrets
everywhere.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some useful keyboard shortcuts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[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)