Phaeton ======= Phaeton ------- A space-based action puzzle game by Rafal Miazga. Includes bonus game Infestation Scientific discoveries and technological progress didn't solve anything. In the 24th century, humanity faces the same major threat as always. Themselves. A powerful terrorist organisation has created a new type of radioactive isotope. Weaponising them could mean only one thing: Annihiltion. The isotopes are hidden in abandoned spacebases, caves and old ruins, guardedby unmanned drone ships. Radio signals are being scrambled in these areas, meaning remote-piloted drone craft would be useless in searching for them. To send a human in world be a suicide mission. Then, in what many thought would be the final hours of humanity, a secret plan was formulated by the best scientific minds. A human pilot is to enter the dead zone in a craft like no other to steal the isotopes right out from under the terrorists' noses. The craft is known as the Phaeton. The mystical Phaeton was the son of Helios, the sun god, who rode across the skies in a chariot of flame. Just like Phaeton was born of Helios, this prototype ship was born of studies of helium, the most stable element in the universe. And, just like the atom of helium has two electrons spinning around the nucleus, the ship has two satellites spinning around a central unit. These satellites create a protected field to separate the human pilot from deadly radioactivity. You have been selected for the mission of retrieving the isotopes. Good luck. You're going to need it! Instructions ------------ The game consists of four levels (two levels on easy difficulty). In each level, you need to collect nine boxes of radioactive isotopes. In order to collect the boxes, you must fly your ship over them. Your satellites will be damaged on contact with them. Be careful. In the levels are automatic gates, controlled by switches. To open a gate, you'll need to find the proper switch and touch it with your ship. Your satellites are sturdy and can resist some damage, such as colliding with enemies or scenery. Their energy, shown in the game menu on the right, will decrease on contact with such hazards. When their energy reaches zero, their effectiveness is compromised and you'll lose a life. Your ship is much more fragile. Contact with any scenery or enemy means instant death. When you lose a life, you'll begin from the insertion point once again. However, all the isotope boxes you've collected and all the gates you have opened will be remembered, so you won't need to deal with them again. Navigating through the maze isn't an easy job. There are many narrow passages which require skilful manoeuvring. You will need to adjust your movement to the position and rotation of your satellites. You can change the direction of satellite's rotation with the Fire key. You will often need it to pass obstacles but remember that the number of such changes is limited and shown on-screen. You will get one extra change for each box collected. When you make a direction change, a short time must pass before you will be able to make another. (Note: Changes are infinite in Easy mode). Good Luck! The people of Earth are depending on you, pilot! Tips ---- 1. Entering a new screen with the satellites in a certain position is often the key to success, especially in the case of screens featuring propellers. At certain times you may need to go out of the screen, adjust your position and go back. 2. There are many ways to go around the obstacles. Choose your path wisely. You may need to decide between losing some shielding on the satellites *or* using up a rotating change. 3. If you find the game too hard, try it on Easy mde. If that's still too much, try some pokes and have fun! Game Controls ------------- O - Left, P - Right, Q - Up, A - Down, Space - Fire You may use either a Kempston or Sinclair joystick if you prefer.