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Controls

Joystick Action
UP Up
DOWN Down
LEFT Left
RIGHT Right
◯   ⬤ Fire
⬤   ◯ Fire
◸   ◥ Pause mode
◤   ◹ Fire

Hunter's Moon

You are stranded, trying to get home. Destroy the strange hive structures, avoid the worker cells that create them and collect each starcell from the centre. Each level contains a different number of starcells. There are 16 star systems in total, each with multiple levels. Complete an entire star system to play a bonus game, then head to the next system.

Scenario

Far from home… far from… Hunter’s Moon…

Memlog Hunter.10/thmw1:

‘Lost in space. Surrounded. Strange structures that build themselves - hive-like. And at their core alien starcells … Must get home. Back to Hunter’s Moon. Must … survive! Am attacking now - full thrust - cannons locked in - FIRE!’

*Little do you know what you face: 128 levels of galactic mayhem. Hope you are a CLEVER psychoblaster - or else … *

Introduction

Memlog Hunter.9/thmw1:

‘Neat, my little ship. Good name: Hunter. Small and nifty, and it packs some punchy fire power. I’m damned well going to need it, aren’t I. Got a little carried away putting Hunter through its paces. Never took that Black Hole seriously enough. Warped me straight here, or where?

‘All I can see are endless crystal constructions, hive-like cities in space surrounding what look like starcells. On-board comp tells me they control those workers which seem to endlessly reconstruct the cities… Oh, yes, I’ve had a quick exploratory foray into the nearest hive. It was quick, because some of those workers shoot back. Any damage I caused is repaired already, and the hive sits there gleaming and glistening like new.’

‘On-board comp tells me that the only way home is to take on each and every one of these crystal cities. Some hope! But then, do I want to get back? Hell, I can’t just sit here, admiring the view, can I? They don’t call me psychoblaster for nothing-I’d better prove them right…’

Playing the Game

Screenshot 01

Hunter’s Moon is divided into 16 star systems, each with a number of levels. To finish each level, you must collect all starcells (visible on radar). Energy from starcells gives temporary immunity from spores launched by defending cells. Single white worker cells will repair the cities but cannot be destroyed.

When all levels within the current star map have been completed, you automatically enter the Bonus Game. Here you will gain a Perma-shield, and will be awarded an extra craft if you can destroy all eight workers. Perma-shields are selected from the in-game menu and shield you from spores for the duration of that level.

When you enter a level, one starcell on the radar will be flashing. If you collect this starcell before the Status Symbol counts down to zero you will gain one co-ordinate for Loopspace. When you have either completed the system or gained all four co-ordinates you will enter the Bonus Game. Collecting Loopspace co-ordinates allows experienced players to skip levels.

Screenshot 02

Controls

On the title screen:

Joystick Action
LEFT One player game
RIGHT Two player game (1 or 2 joysticks)
UP/DOWN Increase/Decrease volume of title music

Press FIRE to start the game.

In the game:

Key Action
Run/Stop Pause (fire restarts)
Q Quit game (if paused)
Fire Resume game (in pause mode)
Joystick Action
UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT Access in-game menu (if paused)
FIRE Select menu option and resume game (if paused)

INFOBARS (bottom of screen, left-to-right)

Screenshot 06

  1. LOOPSPACE CO-ORDINATES: Change in Off Duty mode using joystick
  2. STATUS SYMBOL: P - During Pause Mode R/C/T - Engine type (Retros, Cruise or Turbo) 8-0 - Countdown for flashing Starcell 8-0 - Workers remaining during Bonus Game
  3. LEVEL INDICATOR: Shows current level number
  4. RADAR: Shows location of Starcells
  5. SHIELDS: Number of Perma-Shields remaining
  6. CRAFT: Number of extra craft remaining (bonus craft every 10,000 points)

In-Game Menu

Screenshot 05

ENGINES: Allows you to change the engine type (Retros, Cruise, or Turbo). Each engine type has different characteristics - experiment to find one that suits.

RESPRAY: Change the colour of the ship (Silver, Cobalt, Gold or Custom).

SHIELDS: Activate Perma-Shields (immunity from spores)

OFF-DUTY: Enter the Off-Duty Mode; here you can use the joystick to change the co-ordinates and create relaxing patterns and psychedelic effects.

GAME FEATURES

  • 16 star systems containing 128 levels across 1024 screens
  • 8 randomly selected Bonus Games
  • Off Duty Mode - relax with the Loopspace Trainer
  • Wormcells - Nomadic Cell Tribes roaming freely in space
  • Puzzles - Starcells hidden in cities of Twisted Metal
  • Darkcells - No sunlight / Starcells only visible on radar
  • Switchers - Beware changes of direction by Workers
  • Stargates - Moving gates and special powers

Screenshot 03

Credits

MARTIN WALKER: Game design, graphics, coding & sound fx
ROBIN LEVY: Loading screen & final graphic sequence
MATT GRAY: Game soundtrack
PAUL COOPER: Production & inspirational input
OLIVER FREY: Cover artwork & layout
FRANCO FREY: Further financial inducement
CYBERDYNE SYSTEMS: Loader & technical backup
MIKE CONLAN: Encouragement for the hunter

PRODUCED BY PAUL COOPER FOR THALAMUS