Air Battle ========== Introduction ------------ An action game for one or more players. For a demonstration, first press RESET then key D. Staring A Game -------------- Press RESET then key 0 (zero). The view on the screen shows your cockpit window. When you start a game you will be looking at a runway. The meter at the top-left indicates fuel reserves. The meter in the top-right indicates ammunition reserves. The area in the centre top is the "rearview" mirror. In the centre of the screen is your gunsight. The area just below this is your radar. Finally, the player with the highes score appears in the centre of the bottom row with the highest score on the left and your current score on the right. Taking Off ---------- To take off, push the joystick of the right handcontrol forward. An indicator light will flash when the plane has enough speed for take-off. Then pull the joystick back (towards you). Game Controls ------------- Normal joystick movements apply. If you push forward, the plane will go downwards. If you pull towards you, the plane will rise. Recognising The Enemy --------------------- The front part of each plane is red. Enemy planes have a white tail end; your own planes have a yellow tail end. A red plane coming straight at you could be either friend or foe. You can only recognise such an enemy when he starts firing at you! Firing ------ Two rapid fire guns are mounted, in fixed positions, under the wings. It means that you have to aim your aircraft at the enemy to hit him and possibly shoot him down. When you have the enemy in your gunsight, press the action button to fire. Scoring ------- Hitting enemy aircraft ... 5 points Attacking enemy plane ... 10/20 points Shooting down enemy from behind ... 40 points Shooting down attacking enemy ... 80 points Penalty Points -------------- Hitting allied aircraft ... 5 point penalty Being hit by enemy ... 10 point penalty Shooting down allied aircraft from behind ... 40 points penalty Shooting down approaching allied plane ... 80 points penalty Fighting Tips ------------- 1. Use your ammunition well; you have a limited amount. 2. Radar display gives advance indication of approaching aircraft. 3. Keep an eye on your rearview mirror to avoid surprise attacks from behind. If you see a plane following you, shake him off. 4. If you respond quickly, you can follow an enemy aircraft and get behind him! 5. Watch your fuel reserves. If you run out of fuel, your plane will crash. Land in time to refuel and take on new ammunition. Landing ------- Move the joystick forward. When you see the indicator light flare up, pull joystick back towards you to bring plane to a halt. End Of Game ----------- The game ends when: 1. your plane is shot down 2. your plane crashes through lack of fuel 3. your plane crashes during take-off or landing 4. your plane is hit by an enemy bomb while you are still on the ground at the airfield Cockpit display shows current score and high score in a series of games. Levels Of Skill --------------- Playing at level 0 (zero) the action will become faster after scoring 200, 500 and 1000 points. You may skill the easier levels by using the following controls: Press RESET and 1: start at slow level. Press RESET and 2: start at medium-fast level. Press RESET and 3: start at highest level.