Sun Star for Atari 8-bit computers | Guide
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Maneuver your ship through hazard-filled solar grids to capture the elusive and highly sought-after energy crystals.
SUN STAR
Posted by: CRL, 1986.Gender: Shoot'em up, 3D.
Extra: 1 player, joystick.
THE STORY
In the early 21st century, the Xxarion Star Corporation placed its first power grid in orbit around the sun. The grid used solar energy to create special energy crystals, which allowed humanity to travel through space at the speed of light. It wasn't long before a total of sixteen power grids were in orbit around the suns of star systems across the galaxy.To protect the valuable crystals, a computer was designed to defend the grids. Unfortunately, over time, the computer began using its disruptors - deadly pulses of unstable energy - against any ship that entered the grid.
Now, at the dawn of the 22nd century, the buildup of disruptors has made it impossible for regular supply ships to harvest the energy crystals from any of the orbital grids. However, these crystals are vital to modern space travel, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. So, to retrieve them, a ship has been redesigned, giving it astonishing speed and extraordinary firepower. That ship is called the Sun Star, and you have been chosen to pilot it.
GAMEPLAY DYNAMICS
You drive the ship within a colored grid. The moving white cells are the disruptors, which you must shoot your lasers at so that they turn into energy crystals (green in color).Your mission is to catch ten or more green crystals; enter the rotating chamber to replenish your energy; and shoot the hyperwarp cell (orange) to advance to the next level.
The task would be simple if it weren't for the fact that any contact with the disruptors or energy pulses (red cells) that roam around the grid reduce your limited energy; as do collisions with the walls (yellow cells) and edges (blue cells) of the grid.
Run over the green crystal to pick it up before its energy runs out and causes the other crystals you've captured to explode.
To refill your ship's power banks, you can pass through the hyperwarp cell; though this process will burn one of the collected crystals and can only be performed a limited amount of times.
You must also be careful not to let a stray crystal turn into a red energy pulse. If it does, all the crystals you have collected will be destroyed.
CONTROLS
- To turn, move the joystick right or left.
- To accelerate/decelerate, move the lever forward or backward.
- To fire your laser, press the button on the joystick.
- Pause: with the OPTION key.
- Start/Restart: with the START key.
GAME SCREEN
At the top of the screenHere are the tracking instruments. Numbers indicate the distance from the last disruptor or crystal you shot, and green markers show the direction: if they circle the number on the left or right, that is the location of the disruptor or crystal. If they circle the number in the center, the disruptor or crystal is in front or behind the ship. Various messages are also displayed here to inform you about the status of the crystals and your ship.The top half of the screenshows the 3D front view of the Sun Star.
The bottom half of the screenDisplays the reserves in your ship's energy banks; the amount of crystals collected; as well as the type, range and energy of the object in front of the ship.
Immediately belowThe crystal energy collected in the current batch is shown, followed by the highest previous yield.
In the lower left corner of the screenThere is your short-range scanner.In the bottom right corner of the screenThis is a general grid scan, with the ship represented by the blue square.
THE MESSAGES
- Computer: Hyper drive engines engaged
When you are going to enter a new grid. - Computer: Full thrust
By going through the wall and entering the new grid. - Computer: Completed warp to grid #
You have entered grid (level) No. - Computer: Crystal captured
You have collected an energy crystal. - Computer: All crystals lost
All the energy crystals were burned. - Computer: Full energy banks
You have fully recharged the ship's power banks. - Computer: Collision with disrupter
You have hit a disruptor. - Computer: Energy is very low
You have little energy left. - Computer: Updating crystal count.
The number of crystals collected at the end of the current grid is counted. - Destroyed. Out of energy. High score.
Your ship has been destroyed. You have run out of energy. You have achieved a record score.
STRATEGIES
A good winning game involves: collecting some of the crystals; visiting the rotating warp chamber to recharge your energy banks; returning to the grid to complete the quota of ten crystals; re-entering the warp chamber; and shooting the warp cell to advance to the next grid.Use the general grid scanner to locate disruptors; the short-range scanner for nearby targets - especially those behind your ship; and the head-up display when in pursuit.
Control your speed and shots as both could waste valuable energy.
According to the game guide, the best method to enter the rotating chamber is from the opposite direction it is rotating.
As you progress through the levels, the number of shots required to convert disruptors into energy crystals will increase. For example, in the second grid, two shots will be required for each disruptor. The layout of the grids will also become more complex - i.e. with more walls.
OTHER IMPORTANT DATA
- Some disruptors have low energy and will be destroyed by our shots; that is, they will not turn into green crystals.
- The short-range scanner cannot detect the red energy pulses.
- Some of the green crystals will be able to pass through the walls of the grid and simply cannot be picked up.
- If you don't collect a green crystal before its energy runs out, it will explode, and you will lose any other crystals you have collected.
- If you enter the rotating warp chamber without all the crystals and pass through the hyperwarp cell, it will pause for a moment so you can return to the grid.
SCORE
- Capture an energy crystal- from 96 to 99 points.
- Counting recovered crystals- 100 points each.
EVALUATION
PROS AND CONS
In favor
Once you get the hang of the controls, the action is extremely addictive. You'll be trying to break your record of recovered crystals over and over again.
The graphics and sound effects are adequate, within the limitations of the platform.
Against
Some players may feel disoriented by how quickly the ship changes direction.
Entering the rotating chamber has a high degree of difficulty, which may frustrate casual players.
CURIOSITIES
The game was also sold by the American company Microdaft as Solar Star.Posted by
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