Turrican

shoot'em up platformer game for Commodore 64, 1990

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PROLOGUE

A story of times long gone by, tells us of the threeheaded Morgul, who
lives a secluded life in his kingdom. This Morgul is the cause of all
the fears and nightmares of mankind. It is furthermore said, that in
ancient times he was banished to an unknown dimension by the hero
Devolon. Fear and sleepless nights disappeared out of the peoples'
lives.

For some time now people have again been tormented by nightmares and
suffer from a serious state of dread and fear. Hardly anybody dares to
set a foot onto the streets at night and a dreadful fear that Morgul
has returned to his kingdom is alive in the people's minds again. As
the only man on earth who's courage has not yet deserted him, you are
sent off, once again to free human kind from its burdon of fear. You
have been armed with the latest weapons and technical equipment for
this mission. Find Morgul in his kingdom and destroy him for once and
for all.


THE GAME

In Turrican you will guide your hero through five different worlds, in
which he will be confronted by various perils. Three of these worlds
extend over three levels, the remaining two worlds over two levels.
Ever changing enemies, will constantly try to destroy you. You will
have to use your weapons skillfully in order to survive the varied
levels. To aid you in battle, you may gather up further weapons and
order extras on your way, e.g. forceshields and extra lives.

Examine every level closely you will find new surprises and useful
items everywhere.


HOW TO WORK THE GAME

General information:
The game is played with joystick and keys.

MOVING

Joystick up:
Player jumps. If he is the gyroscope, he will transform back to normal
again.

Joystick down:
Player ducks away, e.g. from enemies.

Joystick down and press space:
The player will transfor into a gyroscope. While in this state the
player is invincible and will destroy 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. The player may transform into a gyroscope 3 times in every
life.

Joystick left/right
Moves player left/right.


FIRE

pressing firebutton briefly:
Player fires. If you have already collected the multiple shot or
laser, the according weapon will be used. The multiple shot can be
extended in up to two degrees by collecting the right symbols. In the
first degree(basic equipment) the player fires 9 horizontal shots.

In the second degree 3 salvos are fired simultaneously: 3 shots in a
30-degree angle upwards, 3 shots horizontal and 3 shots in a 30-degree
angle downwards. The third degree resembles the second, except that
the angle changes to 45 degrees.

The laser fires horizontally, and can be extended by gathering up the
corresponding symbols. Its length extends from an eighth to half of
the width of the screen. the laser has a high penetration rate, making
it very effective when fighting against several enemies
simultaneously.

Joystick down while holding the firebutton:
The player activates a mine. The mine is placed on the ground and
explodes shortly afterwards. Variouse enemies walking the ground can
be dealt with in this manner.

Holding firebutton:
The player can activate a flash of lightning and may direct it(as long
as the firebutton is held), by moving the joystick left (lightning
rotates anticlockwise) or right (lightning rotates clockwise).

The lightning can take on 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 space:
Activates two energy lines, moving right and left at the full hight of
the screen. All enemies in range will be destroyed. Though, should an
obstacle bar the way, the line will be stopped.

press F7:
The player throws a grenade. hitting an obstacle or an
end-level-monster has the effect of a smartbomb, killing every enemy
on the screen. Against other enemies it works like a shot with high
penetration.

Pressing CTRL:
Pauses game. Press firebutton to continue.


Symbols:

During his mission the player will find different symbols with useful
functions. Here's a listing:

Red symbol: activates multiple shot; if already active it will be
extended.

Green symbol: activates laser; if already active, it will be extended

Blue symbol:  extends lightning

Light blue symbol:  activates force shield, making the player
invincible for a short duration.

Enemies will be destroyed on touch during this time.

Yellow [P] symbol:  - recharges vitality

White [G] symbol:   - the player gains a grenade

White [M] symbol:   - the player gains a mine

White [L] symbol:   - the player gains an energy line

Grey [1 up] symbol: - the player gains an extra live

Diamonds:           - once the player has gathered up 300 diamonds, he
                      receives another [CONTINUE], i.e. having the
                      chance of continuing after all lives have been
                      lost.


DYING

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 vitality. A loss of vitality 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 gyroscopes, mines, energy lines and
grenades will be reset to three.  Lightning, multiple shot and laser
will be reduced, if not already to minimum strength


THE DISPLAY

The player can gain the following information from the display (from
left to right)

- Number of lives
- Number of gyroscopes (above live indicator)
- Number of CONTINUES
- Time
- Number of diamonds
- Number of grenades
- Number of mines
- Number of energy lines
- Score
- Vitality (above score)


HIGH SCORES

If you achieve a top score you may enter the highscore table.

After entering your name press RETURN. Then a menu will appear.
Entering 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 RUN/STOP-key, or press the firebutton to save a
highscore.

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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)