The Sentinel

Game interface

1. Energy indicator
2. Scan indicator

How to play

Landscapes

The Sentinel is played over a number of levels known as ’landscapes’. Each landscape has a number and a secret entry code. Enter a landscape’s number and code on the main menu to access that landscape. If you enter no number you will instead start at landscape 0000. When you beat a landscape you will be given the secret entry code for another landscape.

Objects

All objects in The Sentinel each have an energy value. By absorbing an object, you gain its energy. If you run out of energy, you will die.

To absorb an object, point the cursor at the square the object is standing on and press the absorb button. You must be able to see the square the object is standing on, and the object cannot have something on top of it.

You can use energy you have absorbed to create objects. Point at an empty square and press the corresponding create button.

The energy indicator at the top left of the screen represents your current energy with icons of the most energy-expensive objects that you could create. For example, if you have 7 energy the energy indicator will show two synthoid icons and one tree icon (3 + 3 + 1 energy).

Tree (1 energy)

Trees represent the base unit of energy. You can hide behind trees.

Boulder (2 energy)

Objects can be created on top of boulders, as their top surface counts as a square. You can also hide behind boulders.

Synthoid (3 energy)

Synthoids are shells that your consciousness can inhabit.

Enemies

Enemies also have an energy value, and can be absorbed in the same way as objects.

As soon as you absorb or create any object, the Sentinel will start slowly turning towards you. If she sees any boulders or synthoids, and she can see the square they are standing on, she will start to break down those objects. The energy from those objects will be redistributed elsewhere in the landscape in the form of randomly-placed trees. If you are inhabiting a synthoid when she tries to break it down, your energy will be drained until you die.

The scan indicator in the top right of the screen will fill with static if you are currently in view of the Sentinel.

The Sentinel (4 energy)

The Sentinel is the primary enemy in each landscape.

Sentries (3 energy)

Some landscapes will also contain Sentries, which act in the exact same way as the Sentinel.

Meanies (1 energy)

If the Sentinel or a Sentry can see the synthoid you are currently in, but cannot see the square it is standing on, they will look for a nearby tree and transform it into a Meanie. When you are seen in this way, the scan indicator will half-fill with static. The Meanie will then rotate to look at you. When it does so, it will force you to Hyperspace.

Transferring

You can transfer your consciousness from one synthoid to another by pointing the cursor at the square it is standing on and pressing the transfer button. After a moment you will be in the new synthoid, looking back at the previous one.

Creating a boulder with a synthoid on top of it and transferring to it is the primary method of gaining a higher vantage point.

Hyperspace

Pressing the Hyperspace button will cause you to teleport to a random empty square on the landscape that is at the same level or lower. This costs you 3 energy – even if the jump was forced by a Meanie. If you cannot pay that cost, a Hyperspace will cause you to die.

Objective

The objective in each landscape is to absorb the Sentinel and any Sentries, then transfer yourself to a synthoid placed on the square where the Sentinel used to be, and activate Hyperspace. You must have the energy available to pay the cost of the Hyperspace.

Completing a landscape will give you the secret entry code to another landscape. This new landscape’s number will be the current landscape’s number plus how much energy you have left (after deducting the cost of the Hyperspace).

Once you absorb the Sentinel and all Sentries, you will not be able to absorb any more objects on that landscape. You can, however, still create objects. You can use this to control exactly which landscape you will get the code for, as a method to avoid difficult landscapes.

Story

In a strange universe of 10,000 worlds, where the only force is pure energy, a lone Synthoid does battle against the Sentinel and her agents, the Sentries.

You control the Synthoid in his attempt to dethrone the Sentinel as ruler of each of the 10,000 worlds.