Clogger: The State Of The Art

In a strange and mystical land, many years ago, lived a peaceful race of beings known as the Cloggers. Cloggers were unusual creatures with three feet and no head but with strange powers that enabled them to perceive their environment in a way incomprehenisble to man.

Cloggers also had a great love of art and, in order to achieve the status of Master Clogger, needed to prove their artistic appreciation. To do this, all young Cloggers had to undertake a series of cunningly conceived tests. These consisted of reassembling various pieces of artwork scattered around dangerous landscapes in the hidden valleys of Clogland.

Few Cloggers ever reached the status of Master Clogger. The task is truly awesome with countless problems to be solved and pitfalls to overcome. The time taken to complete each landscape is also crucial but the powers that be have kindly left a little food. However, this should be eaten with moderation as guzzling it down can lose some of its energy value.

Each of the eighteen landscapes becomes progressively more complex with increasing numbers of individual tests of initiative.

There are drills to be found which can be used (sparingly!) to create essential passageways; powerful lawnmowers to clear the deadly Cloggrass; plus springs, rebounding gyroscopes and buffers which all hinder your progress.

One ill-considered action can render your whole future worthless.

Would you have become a Master Clogger?

Loading

Press SHIFT-BREAK to load.

Clogger is supplied with 18 landscapes (or levels) to complete. These load in three files of six levels each.

The first file is loaded automatically when the game is first loaded.

To load in a different file, press L on the instructions screen, which will appear after the game has loaded. Then type in one of the following three filenames:

File 1: SLIPPER
File 2: BRUSHES
File 3: ARTIST

Objective Of The Game

To become a Master Clogger you must complete the eighteen landscapes (or levels) without using passwords. You have five lives with which to do this.

Each level requires you to gether 21 pieces of a picture and push them to the finish area. (Note: The first two levels already have some pieces in position.) They must then be inserted in the right way to build up the complete piece of artwork. You must also eat all the cakes. When both the above have been achieved, the level will end and you can move on to the next one. You will then be given the password for that level.

The finish area is always seven objects wide by three objects high. This can be at any position on each particular level. It will be full of earth, which will need to be removed before the pieces of artwork can be inserted.

Playing Instructions

Certain pieces of artwork may seem inaccessible. You will have to find out the route to them by using or moving the drills, lawnmowers, buffers and gyroscopes on the way. This must be done within a limited time period.

Maps

A map of each level can be obtained by pressing M during the gamm. Time will continue to tick away so plan your strategy quickly.

Picture Screen

To see the finished piece of artwork that needs to be assembled press P during the game. You can also see the clock ticking away. Appreciating the finer points of the artwork is not recommended at this stage.

Time Limit

Time is limited for each level and if time runs out, you will run out of energy and lose a life. However your energy can be increased, and therefore your time increased, by eating cakes which will each give an extra 30 seconds worth of energy. (Don't eat too much at a time - the maximum time you can have at any stage is ten minutes). The only stage that time will stand still is on the status screen. So don't hang about!

Clogger's Almanack

Whilst completing the tests that will make you a Master Clogger are largely dependent on your skill and initiative, the Clogland Council does supply a brief advisory almanack. This advises of the hazards that await you and tools that will be at your disposal.

Important Information

Cakes:
Eating a cake increases your energy and thereby increases your time by 30 seconds. (Note - Don't forget that all the cakes must be eaten before a level can be completed)

Apples:
Eating these increases your score and removes a possible barrier

Earth:
This can get in the way. If in doubt, remove it but don't waste time

Cloggrass:
This is fatal on contact. It can be removed with a lawnmower

Lawnmower:
Used to remove Cloggrass

Springs:
These are a barrier unless approached from one particular side. If you find the right way to approach it then it will be removed

Gyroscopes:
When pushed, these will fly off until stopped by another object or reflected by a spring. If reflected by a spring, they will return to their original position

Buffers:
These can be used to solve problems caused by gyroscopes

Drills:
There are two of these on each level. One drills to the left and the other drills to the right. Each drill will cut through any three objects and then disappear. It is advisable to only use drills to cut through objects that cannot be removed in any other way.

Game Controls

Z - Left, X - Right, : - Up, / - Down, ESCAPE - Suicide
P - View Picture, M - View Map, S - View Status Screen & Pause

Status Screen Controls:
P - View Picture, M - View Map, T - Tune Toggle On/Off, ESCAPE - Quit Game, SPACE - Return to Game

Controls Available From Instruction Page:
L - Load a file, E - Enter password