Starstrike II

Starting a Game

To start the game using a controller, press the Select joystick button on the menu screen, then press the Start button.

To start the game using the keyboard, press B to select keyboard input, then press Enter to start the game.

Gameplay

Begin by selecting an Outsider star system to invade first. The interface on the screen displays a list of star systems to choose from. After choosing a system, you will enter the support module, and be prompted to choose a planet to invade in that system.

For your first planet, try and choose one which is of an agricultural type - this will have much less defense than the other planets.

Support Module

The support module allows the transfer of reserve fuel to the ship after defeating a planet. Note that there is limited reserve fuel in the module. To transfer fuel to your ship, select the transfer fuel option.

You can see your overall progress from the support module from the icons on the left under each star system - blue icons under the different systems have already been defeated.

Select a star system, then select a planet to begin warping to that star sytem. The name, type and range of each planet is displayed in the bottom center of the screen. The type of planet indicates the level of defences it will contain - an agricultural planet would have less defense than a military planet, for instance.

Planetary Descent

Perimeter Shields

Each planet is defended by a series of defense fields. The fields are displayed as a grid on the screen, with a small hole in for the ship to pass through. Depending on the planet, the hole in the defense field is manned by increasingly challenging defenses, which the ship must avoid or destroy to pass into orbit.

Orbital Battle

When in orbit of the planet, a number of Outsider ships will attempt to destroy the ship before it can reach the planet’s surface. Use the indicators on the left and right of the screen to locate the enemy vessels. When an enemy is in range, the indicators will disappear - begin firing at the ship with your lasers to destroy it. Some ships can drop fuel when destroyed - move your ship over the fuel to increase your fuel reserve.

Ground Attack

The ground attack consists of two stages. First, the Starstriker is tasked with bypassing the ground defenses of the planet - your aiming crosshair will be positioned on the floor. Destroy as much as you can during this phase, and avoid the various moving hazards to keep as much field strength as you can.

Eventually, you’ll reach a door at the end of the ground defense which will slowly open. Once inside, the central core of the planet must be destroyed in order for the ship to escape with exit velocity. If the core isn’t destroyed, the stage resets.

At the end of each stage of a planetary descent, you can opt to transfer your fuel storage and convert it to shield power, replenishing your health for the next stage of attack.

Interface

Orbital Battle

1. Proximity map
2. Elevation indicator

The proximity map indicates how close

Perimeter Shields and Ground Attack

1. Laser charge
2. Fuel
3. Field charge
4. Control status bar
5. Velocity

The control status bar indicates if the player has control of the ship, or if the ship is being moved by the computer.