SLYMOIDS(TM) Cartridge Instructions TI-99/4A ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Programmed by: James R. Von Ehr II Book developed and written by: Staff members of Texas Instruments Instructional Communications. Copyright © 1983 by Texas Instruments Incorporated. Solid State Cartridge program and data base contents copyright © 1983 by Texas Instruments Incorporated See important warranty information at back of book. INTRODUCTION In this one-player game, you are a sharp-shooting cowboy-the last defense against the hordes of alien Slymoids. Use your Slymoid Scanner and Laser Fireball Weapon to locate and destroy these strange life forms. The devious Slymoids also appear in two other forms-Jelloids and Spores. Chase the Slymoids through fields, castles, and caves. But beware! The crafty Slymoids have turned spiders, bats, and even rocks against you. With Slymoids, you can: *Experience multi-screen graphics *Enjoy graphics that create a 3-D effect *Choose from 5 levels of difficulty *Use Wired Remote Controllers (joysticks) or keyboard control *Hear special sounds that warn you a creature is about to appear PLAYING THE GAME When the game begins, you are located in one of three battlefields: a grassy slope, a castle, or a cave. You can destroy some creatures with a single shot. Other creatures must be shot several times before they are eliminated. As each battlefield is cleared of Slymoids, you move to another location. If you are victorious, you progress to the next level of difficulty. Destroy all the Slymoids before they overcome your cowboys. Special Keys --------------------------------------- Key Function --------------------------------------- AID Goes to demonstration game. --------------------------------------- REDO or Returns to the title screen BACK from the demonstration game. --------------------------------------- SPACE Pauses during the game. Press BAR or P any key to resume play. --------------------------------------- Selecting Playing Levels and Locations The numbers 1-5 on the title screen represent the levels of play (1 is the easiest level; 5 is the hardest). An asterisk moves under the levels of play. To choose a level of play, press any key (other than the number keys) when the asterisk is under the level of play you desire. There are also four battle locations in the game. Location 1 is a grassy slope. Location 2 is inside a castle. Location 3 is a grassy slope. Location 4 is inside a cave. When the asterisk appears under the level of play you desire, press 1,2, 3, or 4 to choose a specific location. Reserve Cowboys In addition to the character on the screen, you have 3 cowboys in reserve at the beginning of the game. When a cowboy "bites the dust," he is automatically replaced by one of the remaining cowboys. When you eliminate all the creatures from one location, the screen goes black. Then, a new location appears and you receive an additional reserve cowboy. Scanning for Creatures A special Slymoid Scanner is shown in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. The arrow indicates your location, and the colors change as more creatures appear on the screen. 0 to 10 Creatures *Dark Green *Light Green *Yellow More than 10 Creatures *Light Red *Dark Red *Black Moving the Cowboy Using Wired Remote Controllers To move the cowboy, push the lever of the Wired Remote Controller (joystick) to the left or right. Shooting Creatures Using Wired Remote Controllers To shoot the creatures. aim the cowboy's laser gun in the direction you wish to fire and press the FIRE button. Aim is controlled with the following joystick movements. --------------------------------------- Lever Position Direction on the screen --------------------------------------- Forward(toward Toward the FIRE button) horizon --------------------------------------- Backward(away from Toward sky the FIRE button) --------------------------------------- Left Left --------------------------------------- Right Right --------------------------------------- Note: The ALPHA LOCK must be in the OFF (up) position when using the Wired Remote Controllers. Moving the Cowboy Using the Keyboard To move the cowboy, press the [LEFT] S and [RIGHT] D keys. Shooting Creatures Using the Keyboard To shoot the creatures, aim the cowboy's laser gun in the direction you wish to fire and press the period key (.), ENTER, Q, V, or Y. Aim is controlled with the following keys. --------------------------------------- Keys Direction on the screen --------------------------------------- [UP]E,[UP]I Toward horizon --------------------------------------- [DOWN]X,[DOWN]M Toward sky --------------------------------------- [LEFT]S,[LEFT]J Left --------------------------------------- [RIGHT]D,[RIGHT]K Right --------------------------------------- Ending the Game The game ends when you destroy all the Slymoids, or when the Slymoids overcome all of your cowboys. To play the game again using different options, press BACK or REDO. PREPARING FOR MORE ACTION As you play Slymoids, you discover strategies to help you become a better player. As you become more skilled, you advance to more difficult and more challenging levels of play. With practice, soon you can be a local hero. Scoring Your score is automatically calculated and appears on the screen. You receive points according to the type of Slymoid you hit and where it is located when you destroy it. The more difficult the shot, the more points you receive. --------------------------------------- Points Type Shooting Direction --------------------------------------- 10 Any hit Bottom line of screen, left or right --------------------------------------- 25 Slow Up Jelloids --------------------------------------- 50 Slymoids Into horizon --------------------------------------- 50 Medium Up Jelloids --------------------------------------- 50 Spores Up --------------------------------------- 50 Falling Up Rocks --------------------------------------- 75 Fast Up Jelloids --------------------------------------- 75 Spider Up --------------------------------------- 75 Spores (flying at Up an angle) --------------------------------------- 125 Bat Into horizon --------------------------------------- Playing Tips Prepare: *Shoot the Slymoids before they multiply *Watch the Scanner and plan your moves based on the number of Slymoids in the area *Listen for the unique sounds of each creature as an early warning of an attack *Prepare to retreat if in danger Beware: *If spores escape off the screen or land on the ground before being destroyed, they change into three new Slymoids *If three Slymoids come together in the same immediate area, they generate a new Slymoid *Cave rocks may come to life and attack you if Slyinoids are near them *Spiders and bats are allies of the Slymoids and are your enemies