Dragon Rider

At the start of the game, you select the volume of the sound, the degree of difficulty and the number of dragons per game.

Playing The Game

The object of the game is to prevent as many of the alien worms as possible from reaching the ground. To achieve this task, you have two weapons: firstly, your laser lance. This has unlimited range and is fired by pressing the red user definable f0 key. The laser lance will only kill one worm at a time, but only uses a small amount of your dragon's energy.

Your second weapon is the dragon's own fiery breath; this can kill a number of worms at a time, but it has a limited range and can use a large amount of energy. The fiery breath is released by pressing the red user-definable key f1.

Your dragon will be initially located in its cliff top lair in the black mountains. Once launched, by pressing Space, it is controlled by use of the cursor keys. Diagonal movement is possible by using a combination of keys.

To achieve your mission of destroying the alien threat, you manoeuvre your fiery steed amongst the worms, but take great care - they may strike you when you move!

This will inflict damage, and eventually death, on your mount. Your dragon's reserves of energy are depleted by the use of your weapons, hits from the alien worms and, at higher levels of difficulty, the effort involved in manoeuvred flight. To counteract this, the dragon must refuel by feeding on the magenta firestones, scattered on the valley floor. This is effected by positioning your dragon immediately above a firestone, so that it may feed.

Feeding is achieved by holding down the red user-definable key f5. As the dragon feeds, it should make a distinctive sound. Should you not hear any sound, you are either incorrectly positioned, or your dragon is fully replenished.

The dragon's energy reserves are indicated by the colour of its skin. Your dragon will start out green; as its reserves become depleted it will change colour in the following sequence:

Green - Cyan - Magenta - Red - Black

After the colour black, your dragon will die. Should your dragon turn black, you must refuel immediately if you are to save your dragon's life!

Scoring

During the course of the game, your score is displayed in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. You obtain points for hits on alien worms; however, points are lost when the alien worms hit the ground or you!

Successive waves will attack with increasing levels of difficulty. For each wave you complete, a bonus score is awarded. At the end of each game, a high score table will be displayed.

Sacrificing Your Mount

Should you wish to sacrifice your mount for a fresh steed at any point during the game, this may be achieved by pressing SHIFT-F5.

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