You are a Samurai Warrior living during the Kamakura period in Japan (1185-1333 AD). Your objective is simply to reach the target score given to you on the Option Menu at the beginning of the game thus indicating that you are worthy of the final accolade.

You can attempt to reach this target by:

1. fighting other Samurai,
2. hunting bandits,
3. helping villages,
4. seppuku (ritual suicide) or
5. any combination of these options.

The main ways of earning points are as follows:

There are seven levels of play. Increasing your level has four major effects:

1. Your target score increases
2. You have less control over the course of events in the game
3. You are more vulnerable to attacks by larger group of bandits
4. It becomes more difficult to kill other Samurai

The central reference point is the main six option menu.

This also keeps track of both the number of periods you have survived so far and your current score. It is from this menu in each period that you attempt to influence the course of events You may prove successful in this attempt or otherwise: if your initial choice is accepted, an 'OK' sign will appear in the top left hand corner of the screen. If it is not, you will be asked a direct question.

If 'OK' this will take you to the "Status Report" chart. On this occasion when you 'Press a key', you will be required to enter the number (1-5) of the opponent you wish to challenge.

The result will be self-explanatory. Once you have killed another Samurai, all his values will be set at 0 and he is out of the game.

This will be self-evident.

This is either to protect it from bandits - who will then attack you, or to defend it against other Samurai who will then challenge you.

Your search may be successful or otherwise.

If OK, and succesful this Option will always end the game but hopefully, the bonus points you score will take you over your target and you will therefore win the game. You may, however, get an 'OK' signal and prove unsuccessful in your attempt. In this event, you will merely be wounded and the game will continue.

Please note that you may be challenged by other Samurai at any time during the game.

You may accept 'a' or refuse 'r'. Similarly you may be asked to help a village; the valid response here is 'y' YES or 'n' NO. You may also be attacked randomly by bandits (who you always have to fight).

Note: Helping villages will enhance certain of your fighting values, as displayed in the Status Report, whilst refusal will lead to reductions.

You will always be allowed to call up this display whenever you choose Option 6 - and you are well advised to keep referring to it!

The display shows yourself and the five other Samurai together with a breakdown of all the relevant factors which are given into account during the course of the game.

These do not change during any one game for the other Samurai but your own values will alter continually depending upon decisions you make and the course of the game.

ST - Represents your overall status. Should this ever fall to 0, you will lose the game, it signifies death without honour and is normally incurred by refusing too many challenges. The factor is also very important when fighting bandits.

RE - Represents your reputation as a warrior (not always to be totally relied upon!)

PH - Represents your physical condition or state of health. Wounds will reduce this and if it falls below about -1 you will die. Any periods which you have spent resting or partially resting (Options 3 & 4) will help to restore this (not if you have already died!).

HU - Hunger, represents your food supplies. You need about 3 units per period and if this factor falls below -4 you will starve. If you are helping a village, they will provide a certain amount of food.

Good Luck!

We hope you enjoy the game and survive to become Shogun.

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