Exolon

Starting a Game

NOTE To play this game using a controller, select Kempston in the Select Joystick menu.

Gameplay

Weapons

Standard Blaster

The standard blaster is given to the player at the start of the game. It fires one projectile in the direction the player is facing from the barrel of the blaster.

Grenade Launcher

The grenade launcher is given to the player at the start of the game.

Double Blaster

The double blaster allows the player to fire two projectiles similar to the Double Launcher, at the expense of using double the ammo each time the weapon is fired.

Exosuit

When reaching certain zones, the player has the option to equip the powerful exosuit, Exolon. Exolon can withstand much more damage from enemies and has more firepower, but moves much slower. When wearing the exosuit, no bonuses are given at the end of a stage.

Obstacles

Obstacles block the player’s movement towards a new zone, and must be destroyed to progress. To destroy an obstacle, use the grenade launcher. Some obstacles can damage the player when touched - laser barriers in later levels cause the player to lose a life if touched.

Traps

Some zones contain hidden traps, such as mines and pneumatic hammers which spike upwards and retract at random intervals. Take care when entering a new zone to look for these hazards and carefully avoid them!

Teleporters

Teleporters can be found in some zones, which allow the player to quickly move between the two teleportation pads. If the player moves over a teleportation pad and presses the Up button, they will teleport to the connected pad.

Enemies

Aliens

Aliens initially appear as floating orbs, but take on different appearances later in the game. Aliens move into the screen from the right, and move in random patterns towards the player. Aliens can be hit using normal ammo, and are unaffected by grenades. If an alien touches the player, they will lose a life.

Alien Pods

Alien pods are obstacles which block player movement. They can be destroyed using a grenade like other structures, but a group of small red aliens will linger after the explosion. If any of these aliens touch the player, they will lose a life.

Turrets

Turrets are stationary obstacles which block player movement and fire projectiles. Turrets can be destroyed by hitting them with a grenade. Turrets continually fire projectiles in the direction they are facing until destroyed. Depending on the placement of a turret, the player can jump or duck under the shots and fire a grenade with the correct timing to destroy them.

Double Launcher

Double launchers fire up to two bullets in parallel in the direction they are facing at random intervals. The player can destroy the bullets by shooting them.
When moving towards a double launcher, duck to shoot any lower bullets fired.
A double launcher cannot be destroyed, but walking into the launcher after surviving its onslaught disables the launcher.

Combined Launcher

A combined launcher is a turret, combined with a launcher which fires missiles. The combined launcher can be destroyed by firing a grenade at the top of the launcher - this will deactivate the launcher and give the player points.

Homing Missile

Homing missiles

Pickups

The player can store a maximum of 100 bullets, and 10 grenades at once. Pickups can be found in some zones which give the player additional ammo and grenades, up to the carry limit. White ammo crates replenish bullets, while yellow crates replenish grenades.

Ammo is replenished when the player loses a life and respawns.

Points

The player is given points for various feats:

Bonus Points

Bonus points are given at the end of every 25 levels. A bravery bonus is given to the player, as well as a lives bonus (1000 * Number of remaining lives)

Additionally, a bonus screen is shown, which contains a list of point values and an arrow. Stop the arrow moving by pressing fire on the keyboard or controller - the amount of points the arrow lands on will be given to the player.

Lives

The player begins the game with 9 lives, with a bonus life given at the end of every 25 screens.

Interface

1. Ammo
2. Grenades
3. Points
4. Player Lives
5. Number of zones visited

Story

As a heavily armed humanoid, you blast, battle, bound and blunder your way over more than hundred screens of blood curdling action. Release a deadly grenade to devastate a birth pod and shoot the hordes of aliens that slither and scramble to overwhelm you.

Rocket a gun emplacement and pneumatic hammers hurl you end over end back across the screen. And in a new twist, some of the screens can be played as a vulnerable but athletic Vitorc or as Exolon, a lumbering but powerful exoskeleton.