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--- en:msx:ar_games:ar_games [2023-06-12 15:09]
GreyWolf [Appendix 2. “Back to the Earth” — the history of the creation of version 2]
+++ en:msx:ar_games:ar_games [2023-06-12 22:36] (current)
GreyWolf [Game strategy and tactics]
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 */
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:ar_games-user_manual-a4-en.pdf|Version in PDF}}
+{{:en:msx:ar_games:ar_games-user_manual-a4-en.pdf|User manual in PDF}}
+|<30%>|
+^Games, version 2.11A (2023-02-12)^
+|[[+tab|wmsx>?DISKA_URL=/_media/msx:ar_games:ar_games_2_11a-er.dsk|Play online]]|
+|{{:msx:ar_games:ar_games_2_11a-er.dsk|Disk image}}|
 ====== About Author ======
@@ Line 21: / Line 27: @@
 |{{:msx:ar_games:rodionov_a_b.png?nolink&450|}}|<WRAP>**Andrey Rodionov**
-Born in Moscow on June 3, 1954
+June 3,1954 – May 29, 2023.
 Composer, programmer, system administrator, author, and manager of many projects. Member of
@@ Line 28: / Line 34: @@
 WorldSkills Expert in BlockChain Competence
-Author of games for MSX personal computers (1988–2022)
+Author of games for MSX personal computers (1988–2022)</WRAP>|
-e-mail: andy@rodionov.info</WRAP>|
 ====== Introduction ======
@@ Line 65: / Line 69: @@
 ===== Game Controls =====
-All games are controlled by using the cursor keys, <key>SPACE</key>, <key>GRAPH</key> and <key>ESC</key> key. In addition, the games use the <key>STOP</key> key to switch to the Pause mode and the X key to jump to and return from hyperspace in the new version of the “Back to the Earth” game. You can return to Game Loader by pressing <key>CTRL + SELECT</key> key combination.
+All games are controlled by using the cursor keys, <key>SPACE</key>, <key>GRAPH</key> and <key>ESC</key> key. In addition, the games use the <key>STOP</key> key to switch to the Pause mode and the <key>X</key> key to jump to and return from hyperspace in the new version of the [[#Back to the Earth]] game. You can return to Game Loader by pressing <key>CTRL+SELECT</key> key combination.
 ====== Thanks ======
@@ Line 149: / Line 153: @@
 ===== Game strategy and tactics =====
-Considering the feedback from several game testers indicating that the game entry threshold is rather high, the author finds it necessary to supplement this manual with a chapter dedicated directly to game’s Strategy and Tactics. In it, you will find some tips and tricks to play more efficiently. It is also worth mentioning that many gameplay objectives become way easier with the help of **Crimbler**, which allows you to convert **Objects and Artefacts** one into another. The rules of conversion are described in Appendix 1.
+Considering the feedback from several game testers indicating that the game entry threshold is rather high, the author finds it necessary to supplement this manual with a chapter dedicated directly to game’s Strategy and Tactics. In it, you will find some tips and tricks to play more efficiently. It is also worth mentioning that many gameplay objectives become way easier with the help of **Crimbler**, which allows you to convert **Objects and Artefacts** one into another. The rules of conversion are described in [[#a1|Appendix 1]].
   * As we already noted, probably the first thing you’d like to do is to install **Gravy–Shield**, which will safeguard you from at least three attempts by hostile spaceships to board you and pillage your ship’s hold. Until you do that, you’ll have to shoot the Enemies in manual mode with a **Scan–Cannon** (holding <key>GRAPH</key> and using LEFT/RIGHT arrow buttons). Additionally, it would be very helpful to have **Hyper–Receiver**, which won’t let you accidentally shoot friendly crafts.
   * However, to install **Gravy–Shield** you’ll need **Crimbler** and **Crystal**. That’s why finding a **Crimbler**, and a **Crystal** are the higher priority objectives. Since you’ve got both Crimbler and **Crystal**, just convert a **Crystal** to **Gravy–Shield** using **Crimbler**. But if you already got a **Crimbler**, and still have no **Crystal**, then it is possible to turn **Crimbler** itself into Gravy–Shield directly. Although, such a use of **Crimbler** isn’t always preferable — especially if there’s the only **Crimbler** in a whole Galaxy! (See statistics in the beginning of the game or in Pause mode, pressing STOP) **Crimbler** would reappear though, over time, with the same civilization you first found it, but you’ll have to wait for it rather long, probably. Also note that there is no option to convert any **Object** or **Artefact** into **Crimbler** (this is prohibited by rules of conversion).
@@ Line 166: / Line 170: @@
   * Sometimes, in–game process it is required to think about further mission, quadrant exploration consequences, where and when to replenish your resources, conversion chains etc. You’d better do that in a calm atmosphere being on a planet, not flying through space. Although, besides that, you can hit STOP, entering the PAUSE mode. While in PAUSE mode, the current statistics are displayed showing the availability of crucially important **Objects and Artefacts** in Galaxy. Pressing any key exits PAUSE mode. You can switch to PAUSE mode even after arriving back to Earth to evaluate the post–game condition of the Galaxy you just returned from.
+{{anchor:a1}}
 ===== Appendix 1. Usage and conversion of Objects and Artefacts =====
@@ Line 219: / Line 224: @@
   * After hostile objects and means of dealing with them appeared in the game, a reasonable thought arose — why should only Enemies fly around the galaxy? What about Friends? And then the “Friendly objects” were created. Once docked with you, they can refuel you with energy or restore your protection (depending on the worst level of each) and even wish you luck! At the same time, **Gravy–Shield**, upon close contact, recognizes them as “Friends” and never tries to destroy them. However, the Scan Cannon detects “Unknown objects” at a great distance and is unable to independently identify a Friend or Enemy in front of it. It destroys everyone. But the **Hyper–Receiver** helps to avoid such mistakes, if you have one on board — it has a “friend–or–foe” recognition system and will not allow the Cannon to shoot at friendly objects under any circumstances. But God forbid you to destroy accidentally or intentionally more than 3 Friends! With the help of **Hyper–Radio**, such news spreads across the galaxy very quickly and former friends turn into the most dangerous enemies — after all, neither **Gravy–Shield** nor the Receiver with a Cannon will recognize them as Enemies! In such a situation, it is better to turn off all the automatics and become a “bad guy” — to beat everyone in a row in the hope that over time there will be much less of both and meets with them will occur much less often.
-====== Major Pistoletov ======
+{{anchor:major_pistoletov}}
+====== “Major Pistoletov” — User guide ======
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-00.png?nolink}}
-All the basic conditions of Pistoletov's mission are listed in a [[#major_letter|letter from General Avtomatov]], which Pistoletov can read immediately after entering Kashchei's* castle. However, many things are mentioned there only in passing and you have to guess about them yourself while exploring the castle.
 {{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-01.png?nolink}}
-{{anchor:major_letter}}
+{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-05.png?nolink}}
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-02.png?nolink}}
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-03.png?nolink}}
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-04.png?nolink}}
+All the basic conditions of Pistoletov's mission are listed in a letter from General Avtomatov]], which Pistoletov can read immediately after entering Kashchei's ((Kashchei is an archetypal male antagonist in Russian folklore. \\ The most common feature of tales involving Kashchei is a spell which prevents him from being killed. He hides his soul inside nested objects to protect it. For example, the soul (or in the tales, it is usually called “death”) may be hidden in the needle that is hidden inside the egg, the egg is in the duck, the duck is in the hare, the hare is in the chest, the chest is buried or chained up on a far island. Usually, he takes the role of a malevolent rival father figure, who competes for (or entraps) a male hero's love interest (Princess).)) castle. However, many things are mentioned there only in passing and you have to guess about them yourself while exploring the castle. In particular:
+  * There are many kidnapped princesses in the castle, but only one of them is our agent and can help you. Guess how to distinguish her from the rest. There is a hint about this in the letter from Avtomatov.
+  * You cannot walk on water without waterproof boots and get into a fire without a fireproof jacket. But both boots and jackets have a relatively small resource of use, which ends quick enough.
+  * On vertical ladders, you can not only go up and down, but also jump from them to the side, if nothing interferes with the desired side (for example, there is no wall).
+  * You can get to inclined stairs using two cursor keys at once — LEFT or RIGHT, simultaneously with pressing the UP or DOWN keys.
+  * You can shoot (destroy) unnecessary or harmful objects from a pistol with the SPACE key.
+  * Doors are opened with keys, the shape of which is displayed above the door, but the connections between doors are not always linear. Entering the door from which you just left, you can go to a completely different place. However, there are also linearly connected doors. The transitions between the doors do not change with different walkthroughs and, once having studied them, it is convenient to use it in the future.
+  * Any door can be opened not only with a suitable key, but also without a key, by shooting at it with a pistol. However, most often it does not open with the first shot. The number of bullets in each pistol is limited and they can run out before you open the door. You can enter the open door by pressing the UP or DOWN arrow.
+  * There are places where it is impossible to get out without installing stairs, which you can find in the castle, and then stack on top of each other using the GRAPH. Therefore, the more pistols and ladders you have, the more confident you can feel while completing the mission. Boots and jackets, sometimes, are also vital. Do not forget about them and try to have them in stock too.
+  * Each new item you pick up goes to the first free space on the left in your list of items, if there is such free space. Otherwise, it ends up in the very right place.
+  * Therefore, even Tikhonenkov((Tikhonenkov was a real former communist–komsomol leader named Gromkonenkov in version 1.0 of the game.)) can sometimes be used with benefit — freeing up space for new findings, since he eats only those items that are to his left. In addition, sometimes you can use him as a key for a suitable door. But more often he has to be shot with a pistol when he blocks the road. However, keep in mind — if he turns out to be the right one in the list of your items, he will eat everything!
+  * Blue magic wands, which you sometimes come across in the castle, open the blue vertical walls.
+  * There are several places, stepping on which you unexpectedly fall down. However, most often this is not fatal and there are very few such places. You need to know them and be able to distinguish them by rather small signs of coloring.
+  * Don't forget about food. Bread, which is located in the upper right corner of the screen, is consumed rather slowly, but its stocks sometimes need to be replenished. This resource is consumed in real time and, if it runs out, Pistoletov will die of hunger.
+  * Generally speaking, your mission consists of several tasks. You must find the princess–agent and bring her a disguise headdress (crown), then get a magic apple for her, and only after that she will give you an empty pot, filling which with water, you can extinguish the flame in Kashchei's room. It is also necessary to stock up on enough waterproof boots to get to Kashchei himself. But do not forget, besides this, to find, break and destroy the magic egg with the needle, which gives Kashchei immortality. After all this, you can safely approach Kashchei and arrest him.
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-05.png?nolink}}
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-95.png?nolink}}
+In last versions of “Major Pistoletov” has become much more player friendly. Many places where the player unexpectedly found himself in a stalemate have been changed. (In particular, the stairs were extended down so that you can first look around and understand where you have to fall or jump). Additional chests and items have appeared, explicitly spread across locations. Increased the likelihood of opening doors with shots at them. Gromkonenkov finally acquired his real name — Tikhonenkov. The entourage of individual locations and even Kashchei's room has been slightly changed. So, you can enter it now even without a pot filled with water but simply by stocking up on a sufficiently enough amount of fireproof jackets! However, in this case you will not receive a favorable reaction from “our” Princess. But the mission will be completed successfully. Now you can shoot at the bottle near Kashchei and even break it. And after successfully completing the game and leaving the castle, enjoy the spectacle of Major Pistoletov shooting the moving Tikhonenkov in front of “our” Princess–agent.
+In addition, the game now has the option to turn off the music with the TAB key. The message about that appears at the top left of the screen at the beginning of the game. The same key can be used to turn on the music again at any time.
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-96.png?nolink}}
+/*
+{{anchor:major_letter}}
+{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-02.png?nolink}}
+*/
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-97.png?nolink}}
+====== “Pistoletov at the factory” — User guide ======
-====== Pistoletov at factory ======
+{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-01.png?nolink}}
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-00.png?nolink}}
+{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-03.png?nolink}}
-The game is similar to the [[#Major Pistoletov|previous one]], but it has a different plot, a different building that Pistoletov falls into, a different topology of the doors and transitions between them, different graphics and attributes. This is a more difficult and more interesting game where Pistoletov has the rank of lieutenant colonel.
+The game is similar to the [[#Major Pistoletov|previous one]], but it has a different plot, a different building that Pistoletov falls into, a different topology of the doors and transitions between them, different graphics and attributes. This is a more difficult and more interesting game where Pistoletov has the rank of lieutenant colonel.
 Pistoletov's task is to shut off the broken Robot–Director, who began to disassemble his subordinate robots for parts. Factory workers (robots) can give you useful tips on how to do it in the best way, they can talk to you about other topics, and sometimes ask different questions.
 In order to disable the Director, you must first hack his firewall, the control buttons of which are located in different rooms of the plant. These buttons must be sought and shot with a gun. The number of buttons to be destroyed is chosen by the player at the very beginning of the game and is in fact the choice of the difficulty level of the game.
+The game has undergone a lot of changes compared to its original version. These changes affected both the location map, which was completely redrawn, and the game code, which was rewritten.
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-01.png?nolink}}
+**ONLY FOR DISK VERSION OF THE GAME: Game state can be saved or loaded from chosen disk.**
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-02.png?nolink}}
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-03.png?nolink}}
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-04.png?nolink}}
+====== “Danceroid” — User guide ======
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-05.png?nolink}}
+{{:en:msx:ar_games:4-droid-02.png?nolink}}
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-94.png?nolink}}
+{{:en:msx:ar_games:4-droid-03.png?nolink|}}
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-95.png?nolink}}
+The game plot is very simple at first glance — you need to help the Robot to get out of the Labyrinth, switching on the computers using keys of appropriate colors and inserting floppy disks of the same color into these computers, thus opening the doors of corresponding color in the Labyrinth.
-====== Danceroid ======
+On your way, you can collect flowers and recharge at electrical outlets located in the Labyrinth. However, sometimes Gnomes block the road, which prevents you from going further until they are given a flower. Having received one or more flowers, the Gnome will thank you and disappear, clearing the way, but at the same time, he will clone himself into different parts of the Labyrinth in accordance with the number of flowers he received, and the
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:4-droid-00.png?nolink}}
+Difficulty Level selected at the beginning of the game. Thus, the resettlement of new Gnomes in the Labyrinth creates new obstacles on Robot’s way to the Exit (the location of the Exit can be seen on the Locator by pressing the GRAPH key).
-The game plot is very simple at first glance — you need to help the Robot to get out of the Labyrinth, switching on the computers using keys of appropriate colors and inserting floppy disks of the same color into these computers, thus opening the doors of corresponding color in the Labyrinth.
+Excessive replication of Gnomes in the random parts of Labyrinth can lead to a complete blockage of the passages in the Labyrinth, even if there are flowers remaining.
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:4-droid-01.png?nolink|}}
+In order to give Gnomes less flowers, thereby reducing their propagation ratio, the Labyrinth provides waste bins, approaching which you can throw away extra flowers — both all at once, and one at a time, moving away from the waste bins after each discarded flower. Gnomes can also be given flowers not all at once, but one at a time, moving away from the Gnome after each flower given to him — in this case, the Gnome will not disappear, but will not replicate either. The Gnome will disappear from the path only when the last flower is given to him and on condition that the Robot is next to him, so that the Gnome can say ”Thank you!” to Robot.
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:4-droid-02.png?nolink|}}
+That's all the rules of this game. It remains only to add that if the game is running on MSX2, then the game can be controlled not only from the keyboard, but also with the mouse. By clicking the left mouse button anywhere within the red frame, you can point the direction for Robot to move, and by holding the left mouse button pressed near the red frame or on it, make the Robot move continuously in the chosen direction.
-{{:en:msx:ar_games:4-droid-03.png?nolink|}}
+The right mouse button turns on the Locator in the same way as the GRAPH key on the keyboard. Mouse can also be used at the start of the game to select the Level of Difficulty, as well as for applying the items that Robot picked up on his way through Labyrinth.
-====== MSX-BASIC Games ======
+====== Bonus programs ======
-{{:msx:ar_games:5-0-basic.png?nolink}}
+By the way, if you're persistent enough to read this far, and if you're the proud owner of an MSX2 machine like the SONY HB900 that was onboard of the Soviet space station MIR, you can also use your MSX2 computer for pre–flight preparation. Practice the moon landing, check your health with biorhythms, and be sure to synchronize your clocks so you don't miss your flight!
-{{:msx:ar_games:5-1-moonland.png?nolink}}
+Bonus programs for MSX2 can be called with keys <key>F1</key>, <key>F2</key> and <key>F3</key>:
-{{:msx:ar_games:5-2-biorhythm-00.png?nolink}}
+|  {{:msx:ar_games:5-0-basic_01.png?nolink|}}  ||
+|  {{:msx:ar_games:5-1-moonland.png?nolink&320|}} \\ \\ <key>F1</key> — Moon landing  |  {{:msx:ar_games:5-2-biorhythm-00.png?nolink&320|}} \\ \\ <key>F2</key> — Biorhythms  |
+|  {{:msx:ar_games:5-3-clock.png?nolink&320|}} \\ \\ <key>F3</key> — Alarm clock  |  {{:msx:ar_games:5-2-biorhythm-01.png?nolink&320|}} \\ \\ \\   |
-{{:msx:ar_games:5-2-biorhythm-01.png?nolink}}
+====== Collage ======
-{{:msx:ar_games:5-3-clock.png?nolink}}
+|  @#000000:<fc #ffffff>{{:en:msx:ar_games:1-earth-00.png?nolink&320|}}</fc>  |  @#000000:<fc #ffffff>{{:en:msx:ar_games:2-major-00.png?nolink&320|}}</fc>  |
+|  @#000000:<fc #ffffff>{{:en:msx:ar_games:3-major2-00.png?nolink&320|}}</fc>  |  @#000000:<fc #ffffff>{{:en:msx:ar_games:4-droid-00.png?nolink&320|}}</fc>  |
+|  @#000000:<fc #ffffff>{{:msx:ar_games:5-1-moonland.png?nolink&320|}}</fc>  |  @#000000:<fc #ffffff>{{:msx:ar_games:5-2-biorhythm-00.png?nolink&320|}}</fc>  |
+|  @#000000:<fc #ffffff>{{:msx:ar_games:5-2-biorhythm-01.png?nolink&320|}}</fc>  |  @#000000:<fc #ffffff>{{:msx:ar_games:5-3-clock.png?nolink&320|}}</fc>  |
 ====== Links ======
@@ Line 310: / Line 330: @@
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