_____ _ _ ____ _____ _____ _____
| _ | | | | | | \ | _ | | _ | | _ |
| | |_| | | | | | _ \ | | | | | | | | | | |_|
| |___ | | | | | |_| / | |_| | | | | | | |
|___ | | | | | | / | _| | | | | | |
_ | | | | | | | _ \ | |\ \ | | | | | | _
| |_| | | |_| | | |_| \ | | \ \ | |_| | | |_| |
|_____| |_____| |_____/ |_| \_\ |_____| |_____|
Copyright Sega 1983
Written By: Brian P. Sulpher
E-mail: briansulpher@hotmail.com
Version 1.6
Dates Written: October 23rd, 2003
I dedicate this to my Uncle Don Fleury. You had the Coleco when I was young
and you introduced me to the world of video games. I salute you, and I
hope you enjoy the N64 you bought from my brother not that long ago.
Also, for Cougar, Howler, and Koonce. I miss you, and I hope you are living
it up in the afterlife as you did in this world. You will always be in my
memories, and you will never be forgotten.
-----------
Version 1.0
-----------
-submitted guide on 23rd of October, 2003
-----------
Version 1.5
-----------
-submitted guide on 2nd of June, 2004
-Decided a format update was in order, as it would help the FAQ flow a
little bit better
-----------
Version 1.6
-----------
-Submitted guide on February 7th, 2005
-I added in Honestgamers as a site allowed to use my FAQs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------Table Of Contents-------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Introduction
2) Controls
3) Enemies
4) Attacks
5) Points
6) Mystery/Bonus Points
7) Level Format
8) Strategies
9) Final Word
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------Introduction----------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) The following is taken directly from the Coleco instructions and in no
way is the work of Brian P. Sulpher.
A fleet of hostile forces has assembled around your vessel. But this fleet
is unlike any you've encountered. Flying saucers fire missiles and mines as
they rush at you. Ships launch torpedoes. Line up your crosshair sight and
shoot back! At the lowest altitude, your Subroc vessel fires torpedoes at
the cruisers and drones. Raise your sight and unleash missiles at the
flying attackers. Shift left and right to avoid enemy fire. Just when you
think you've got control, the deadly command plane attacks!
As you can see, this is a very fast paced, intense game, so I hope you
brought your best reflexes as you fight off the waves of attackers on
your fleet!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------Controls-------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) This section will go over the controls, including the game set-up menu
options.
o---------------------o
| Set-Up Menu Options |
o---------------------o
-Enter "1" to select the One Player option or press "2" if you wish to play
with a friend on the two player option (play is not simultaneously).
-Now you can choose between the four skill levels, pressing anywhere from
"1" (easiest setting) to "4" (hardest setting). Difficulty climbs as the
number pressed increases in size.
o-----------------o
| Flight Controls |
o-----------------o
Joystick---> This little device moves your aimer in the conventional
directions (UP=up, DOWN=down, LEFT=left, RIGHT=right, etc.) and
not in an airplane like manner (many games like this would
normally be designed in such a manner).
Left Fire--> When pressed, this will cause your Subroc plane to fire off
some rounds at the enemy (see the attacks section for more
details).
Right Fire-> When pressed, this will cause your Subroc plane to fire off
some rounds at the enemy (see the attacks section for more
details).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------Enemies--------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) This section will look at the various enemies within the game, including
their behavioural patterns and weapons used. The Mystery Points objects
will also be listed.
o---------o
| Enemies |
o---------o
Command Plane--> This is the last enemy in the level. It is black and it
can fire missiles while it flies around the screen. It
also makes use of a green shield that deflects any shots
that hit it (this shield moves around the body of the
ship), but one hit will destroy this controller of the
enemy fleets.
Green Fighters-> These come in sets of three, flying a triangle formation.
They can be considered the second in command as they mark
the halfway point on the level. They fly in sequence
together as they all fire off missiles.
Pink Bombers---> These large planes will make straight runs from above and
then go back u quickly. They have a fairly high rate of
missile use, so be ready for them.
Submarines-----> These fellows patrol the water during U.F.O. and Pink
Bomber attacks. They do not fire directly at you, but
staying in the water long enough will allow them to call in
a torpedo strike.
U.F.O.'s-------> These blue, cylinder objects fly looping patterns in the
sky as they fire off rounds and rounds of missiles. They
can fly at speeds that surpass that of your Subroc.
Yellow Drones--> These enemies show up sometimes during U.F.O. attacks in
the sky. They do not fire directly at you, but staying in
the water long enough will allow them to call in a torpedo
strike (they also block off your torpedo firing by coming
in really close).
o------------------------o
| Mystery Points Objects |
o------------------------o
These will be listed with a brief description of them so you know what to
shoot to get the massive points they are worth.
Black Ship----> They will appear on the horizon periodically, sailing along
the farthest reaches of your sight on the water. A torpedo
will sink them.
Green Balloon-> These slow moving air traffic will be right in the thick of
the air battles. A missile will destroy them.
Green Galleon-> They will appear on the horizon periodically, sailing along
the farthest reaches of the of your sight on the water. A
torpedo OR a missile will sink them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------Attacks--------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) This section will look at the attack capabilities of your Subroc as well
as the three attacks used by the enemy.
o----------------o
| Subroc Attacks |
o----------------o
Missiles-> When your Subroc is in the air, these weapons can be fired at a
constant rate. they are your primary weapon as they destroy the
majority of the enemy crafts that attack you.
Torpedos-> When your Subroc is on the water, these weapons can be fired two
at a time (recharging after they hit a target or go out of your
sight on the water). Not really useful as the water beings can
not directly attack you in the air (no need to go down there),
the enemies tend to be easy points though on the water (as well
as the Black Ship or Green Galleon).
o-------------------o
| Enemy Air Attacks |
o-------------------o
Missiles----> These anguluar weapons are launched from opposing air units,
usually after the craft has been on the screen for a few
seconds. They can be destroyed by your missiles, but they can
use the enemy craft for cover as they approach.
Smart Bombs-> These oddly shaped weapons are launched from behind the enemy
lines, usually after your Subroc has been engaged with the
same type of enemy for a little while. They can be destroyed
by your missiles, but they can use the enemy craft for cover
as they approach.
o---------------------o
| Enemy Water Attacks |
o---------------------o
Torpedoes-> If your Subroc remains stationary while on the water, the enemy
will lock in with this attack. They can be destroyed by your
torpedoes, but the weapon is small and moves quickly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------Points--------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) This section will list the point values for each type of enemy.
o------------------o
| Points Mechanics |
o------------------o
The points listed below are for the first round only. For each following
round, the points gathered will increase by increments of 100 points (the
exception being the Command Plane that increases by increments of 1000
points). This means that the following formula is used to calculate the
points:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~Regular Enemies~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points = Base value + [(Round Number - 1) X 100]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~Command Plane~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points = Base value + [(Round Number - 1) X 1000]
o------------o
| First Wave |
o------------o
Submarines & U.F.O.'s are worth 500 points each.
o-------------o
| Second Wave |
o-------------o
Green Fighters are worth 500 points each.
o------------o
| Third Wave |
o------------o
Pink Bombers & Submarines are worth 300 points each.
o-------------o
| Fourth Wave |
o-------------o
U.F.O.'s & Yellow Drones are worth 500 points each.
o------------o
| Fifth Wave |
o------------o
The Command Plane is worth 3000 points.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------Mystery/Bonus Points-------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) This section will list the point values for any Mystery Points or Bonus
Points awarded for a special act in combat.
o-----------------o
| Mystery Targets |
o-----------------o
All of the point values for the Black Ship, Green Balloom, and the Green
Galleon are derived from the following formula:
Bonus = 2000 + [(Round Number - 1) X 1000]
The Black Ship, Green Galleon, and Green Balloon all lose 100 points off
of their Mystery Point total every couple of seconds.
o--------------------------o
| Mystery Combat Maneuvers |
o--------------------------o
Green Fighters are the only way to win a Mystery points combat bonus that I
know of. If you manage to destroy all three Green Fighters (not allowing
ANY of the three to escape), you will receive a score that is somewhere
below 2000 points.
This amount is decided starting with your first shot, followed by the
reduction of the total by 100 points every couple of seconds. So, destroy
them quickly to receive a bigger amount of points.
o---------------------o
| Command Plane Bonus |
o---------------------o
The Bonus will begin at a set amount, and it reduces by 100 points every
couple of seconds. To win the Bonus, simple blow up the Command Plane with
one well placed shot to collect the current amount shown on the screen.
The value of the Bonus starting point is determined by the following
formula:
Bonus = 2000 + [(Round Number - 1) X 1000]
o-------------------------o
| Extra Live Point Totals |
o-------------------------o
20000 = first extra life
100000= second extra life
Every 100000 from that point on will yield another extra life to you and
your Subroc for your fight against the hostile alien fleet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------Level Format----------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) This section will go over how the level advances to the Command Plane
fight.
o------------o
| First Wave |
o------------o
Submarines & U.F.O.'s start off each round, throwing lots of attacks your
way.
o-------------o
| Second Wave |
o-------------o
Green Fighters are next, with their quick movement and multiple missile
attacks.
o------------o
| Third Wave |
o------------o
Pink Bombers & Submarines follow them, bringing a large amount of missiles
and smart bombs.
o-------------o
| Fourth Wave |
o-------------o
U.F.O.'s & Yellow Drones are in this wave, where the firepower being used is
often subdues compared to the amount in the previous wave.
o------------o
| Fifth Wave |
o------------o
The Command Plane is the final wave of every attack, sending a pile of
missiles at your Subroc vehicle while shielding himself with his mobile
green force field.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------Strategies----------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) This section will list a few strategies to increase your chances of
surviving a few more waves of attacks.
a) When you see ANY missiles or smart bombs start to move towards your
Subroc, you will be faced with two courses of action. The first course
of action is to move away from the incoming weapon (by going left or
right), but that can be dangerous as the weapon may still catch you or
a different weapon may come from the direction you are heading to. The
second course of action is to stop moving and get your ship lined up with
the incoming projectile and blow it up before it reaches you, but that
can be dangerous because of multiple weapons coming at you or the enemy
shielding the approaching weapons. Find a strategy that works the best
for you and stick to it!
b) While fighting Green Fighters or Pink Bombers, concentrate your fire on
the large amounts of missiles that these enemies shoot. If you can not
keep their weapons away, you will not be able to blow the enemy up.
c) At the start of every round and after defeating the Green Fighters, keep
an eye on the water's horizon to find a Mystery Target floating along.
Keep in mind that every now and then it will be a Green Balloon in the
air, but it should still be visible if you keep a moderate height (keeping
both areas visible).
d) Stay off of the water for long periods of time. If you do not, torpedoes
will quickly zero in on your position.
e) When fighting the Command Plane, really try to get youraimer away from
the green shield before you fire your first shot. After you have fired
your first shot, the Command Plane will keep a closer lock on your aimer
than it did before.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------Final Word-----------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) As is the usual, this walkthrough is copyright property of Brian P.
Sulpher, 2003. The only website, group, person, etc. to have access to
post it is www.gamefaqs.com, www.ign.com, and www.honestgamers.com. You
must ask for permission before posting this (go ahead, I am very nice,
and more than likely will say yes).
If you liked it, hated it, have anything to add, then please E-mail me at
briansulpher@hotmail.com. You can also contact me through MSN messenger
through the same E-mail address.
A fun shoot 'em up that still holds true as one of my top three favourite
Colecovision games. A definite must play for the sheer arcade feel to
it (you against impossible odds)!
