Hellbender Unofficial Strategy Guide and FAQ by Kasey Chang released May 23, 2004 0 Introduction This section is for "what the FAQ is about" and things like that. Feel free to skip this section. If you like the FAQ, please send me a dollar. :-) See [0.3] This FAQ is about "Hellbender" the 3D shooter from Microsoft Games. Despite its age (it was released in 1996!) , I don't see a good FAQ for it, so here it is. 0.1 A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR There doesn't seem to be any FAQ for this old 3d shooter, so here it comes. This is a FAQ, NOT a manual. Not that you really need a manual to play this budget sim. This USG only covers the PC Version, which is the only one that exists. Some of you may recognize my name as the editor for the XCOM and XCOM2: TFTD FAQ's, among others. 0.2 TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION This document is copyrighted by Kuo-Sheng "Kasey" Chang (c) 2004, all rights reserved excepted as noted above in the disclaimer section. This document is available FREE of charge subjected to the following conditions: 1)This notice and author's name must accompany all copies of this document: "Hellbender Unofficial Strategy Guide and FAQ" is copyrighted (c) 2004 by Kasey K.S. Chang, all rights reserved except as noted in the disclaimer." 2)This document must NOT be modified in any form or manner without prior permission of the author with the following exception: if you wish to convert this document to a different file format or archive format, with no change to the content, then no permission is needed. 2a) In case you can't read, that means TXT only. No banners, no HTML borders, no cutting up into multiple pages to get you more banner hits, and esp. no adding your site name to the site list. [Small exception: a "small" toolbar with no banners embedded is okay. See IGN or Neoseeker for examples.] 3)No charge other than "reasonable" compensation should charged for its distribution. Free is preferred, of course. Sale of this information is expressly prohibited. If you see any one selling this guide, contact me (see below). 4)If you used material from this, PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE the source, else it is plagiarism. 5)The author hereby grants all games-related websites the right to archive and link to this document to share among the game fandom, provided that all above restrictions are followed. Sidenote: The above conditions are known as a statutory contract. If you meet them, then you are entitled to the rights I give you in 5), i.e. archive and display this document on your website. If you don't follow them, then you did not meet the statutory contract conditions, and therefore you have no right to display this document. If you do so, then you are infringing upon my copyright. This section was added for any websites that don't seem to understand this. For the gamers: You are under NO obligation to send me ANY compensation. However, I do ask for a VOLUNTARY contribution of one (1) US Dollar if you live in the United States, and if you believe this guide helped your game. If you choose to do so, please make your US$1.00 check or $1.00 worth of US stamps to "Kuo-Sheng Chang", and send it to "2220 Turk Blvd. #6, San Francisco, CA 94118 USA". If you don't live in the US, please send me some local stamps. I collect stamps too. 0.3 VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION Gamers who read this guide are under NO obligation to send me ANY compensation. However, a VOLUNTARY contribution of one (1) US Dollar would be very appreciated. If you choose to do so, please make your US$1.00 check or $1.00 worth of stamps to "Kuo-Sheng Chang", and send it to "2220 Turk Blvd. #6, San Francisco, CA 94118 USA". If you don't live in the US, please send me some local stamps. I collect stamps too. Used (cancelled) stamps are fine. For the record, out of ALL the FAQs I wrote (52 at last count) over the past nine years or so, I've received exactly 19 dollars and 4 sets of stamps, as of release of this guide. So I'm NOT making any money off these guides, folks. 0.4 HOW AND WHEN TO CONTACT ME PLEASE let me know if there's a confusing or missing remark, mistakes, and thereof... If you find a question about this game that is not covered in the USG, e-mail it to me at the address specified below. I'll try to answer it and include it in the next update. Please do NOT write me for technical support. That is the publisher's job. Please do NOT ask me to answer questions that have already answered in this FAQ/guide. It makes you look REALLY idiotic. I will NOT answer stupid questions like the ones above unless I'm in a really good mood. If you send questions like that, do NOT expect a reply. The address below is spelled out phonetically so spammers can't use spambots on it: Kilo-Sierra-Charlie-Hotel-Alpha-November-Golf-Seven-Seven AT Yankee-Alpha-Hotel-Oscar-Oscar DOT Charlie-Oscar-Mike To decipher this, simply read the first letter off each word except for the numbers and the punctuation. This is "military phonetics" or "aeronautical phonetics" in case you're wondering. This document was produced on Microsoft Word 97. Some editing was done with Editpad (editpadclassic.com). 0.5 THE AUTHOR I am just a game player who decided to write my own FAQs when the ones I find don't cover what I want to see. Lots of people like what I did, so I kept doing it. Previously, I've written Unofficial Strategy Guides (USGs) for XCOM, XCOM2:TFTD, Wing Commander, Wing Commander 2, Wing Commander 3, Wing Commander 4, Privateer, Spycraft, 688(I) Hunter/Killer. Mechwarrior 3, MW3 Expansion Pack, Mechwarrior 4, Mechwarrior 4: Black Knight, Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed, The Sting!, Terranova, Fallout Tactics, Starfleet Command Volume II, DS9: The Fallen, DS9: Dominion War, Driver, Warlords: Battlecry, Monopoly Tycoon, Dungeon Siege, and a few others. At last count, that's 52 FAQs (this makes it 53). To contact me, see 0.4 above. 0.6 DISCLAIMER / COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Terminal Reality (http://www.terminalreality.com) (who also made Fury 3 and Terminal Velocity) created Hellbender. Microsoft Published Hellbender. There is an "Inside Moves" guide for Hellbender from 1996. However, I have NOT read it, nor is it really possible to find one nowadays. This USG is not endorsed or authorized by TR or MS The information compiled in this USG has been gathered independently through the author's efforts except where noted otherwise. This document is based on the retail version. Thus, any patches applied later may affect its accuracy. On the other hand, I can't find any patches. 0.7 HISTORY 23-MAY-2004 Initial release 1 Game Information 1.1 IN THE BEGINNING. This is the 386 and 486 days. There really was no game that has a lot of 3D and a lot of texture and a lot of action. This was before the days of hardware acceleration. Parallax created "Descent" in 1995, which is in FULL 3D featuring a space ship fighting in the mines of Saturn against various robots and droids that had suddenly turned upon the humans. The mines are in full 3D with curved tunnels and it has been known to make people sick after a bit of gyration. People loved Descent, but complained it doesn't have enough action. Then came Apogee and Terminal Reality, who made a DOS game called Terminal Velocity. By using a different 3D engine with textures, they were able to create a game that has plenty of speed, full 3D, both inside and outside levels (with virtually seamless switching), and plenty of action, even on 486's. Apogee distributed the game as shareware and it really rocked the gaming scene. Microsoft at the time was trying to push Windows gaming, and they asked Terminal Reality to create a version of Terminal Velocity for DirectX, but make it EXCLUSIVELY for Windows. The result was Fury^3, which is sort of a prequel to Hellbender. Hellbender itself came later. It supports higher resolution (640x480) as well as programmable joysticks, digital sound, and more. The requirements are also ramped up a bit. 1.2 SUGGESTED AND RECOMMENDED HARDWARE Directlly borrowed from the README file... To play Microsoft Hellbender, you will need: £ Pentium 75 with local SVGA bus video, 256-color display. £ Microsoft Windows 95. £ 4X CD-ROM drive. £ 8 MB of memory (RAM). £ 32 MB of available hard disk space. £ Sound board plus speakers or headphones to hear audio. £ 14.4 Kbps modem for head-to-head play. £ DirectX 2.0. (yep, that's how old this game is) The following features are recommended: £ Pentium 90 with local SVGA bus video, 256-color display. £ 16+ MB of memory (RAM). £ 77 MB of available hard disk space. £ 3-D accelerated graphics card. £ Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device. £ Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro joystick. £ 28.8 Kbps modem for head-to-head play. 1.3 SO WHAT WAS THE GAME LIKE? You can think of it as a faster version of Descent, if you know that game from Interplay / Parallax, both inside and outside. (Descent didn't get outside levels until Descent III) Basically, you pilot this fighter on a planet, shoot enemy fighters and/or ground defenses, shoot structures, explore tunnels, fly to checkpoints, and such. When you have destroyed enough, you can go on to the next level. Each level has a ton of various objectives you must fulfill. They are usually quite simple such as go there, kill these, etc. There are tricky spots when you realize some enemies are only vulnerable to certain weapons. There are also areas where you need to open certain switches to access the next area. The fun is in the fast action and finding the "secret" areas. 1.4 OTHER MISC INFO Gillian Anderson (of X-Files) is the voice of EVE. 1.5 ANY PATCHES? Nope. Don't need it. The game is ROCK SOLID on Win98. Did not test on other versions of Windows. 1.6 2 Weapons Note: if you dedicate more energy to the shooting weapons, the weapons shoot faster. 2.1 VALKYRIE CANNON The VAL, as it's best known, takes no energy to fire (i.e. infinite ammo). When you charge it up it fires faster until it can shoot 2 to 4 bolts at the same time! VAL, taking no energy, is always available. While it may not be very destructive without weapons energy, it can kill most things with no problems. This should be your pod cracker and door knocker. 2.2 DISPERSION CANNON The dispersion cannon fire shots almost like a shotgun. It saturates the area. It may also fire shots out the back, but that's not confirmed. The more energy you charge, the more shots it shoots and the more spread it gives. At max power, it can shoot up to 15 of those dispersion bolts. At min power, it shoots just one. The dispersion cannon is good when you're in a crowd and need to shoot everywhere at once. You can't really aim the dispersion cannon, esp. with no power. 2.3 SERVO-KINETIC LASER The Servo-Kinetic Laser (SKL) is a rapid-fire beam that some targets are more vulnerable to it than the VAL. It has infinite ammo. The more energy you charge it with, the faster it shoots. 2.4 RAPID-FIRE LASER 500 The RFL doesn't do that much damage. It also has limited ammo, though you usually get a TON of shots with each reload you grab. The more energy you charge it with, the faster it shoots. 2.5 SLEDGEHAMMER ROCKET The sledge is an unguided rocket that does quite a bit of damage. It shoots straight ahead, so it either hits or it doesn't. One trick is use the Scorcher or Legion to locate the target, then point crosshair at the target, then switch to and launch Sledgehammer. That way you know you'll hit but you don't need to spend extra missiles. Clearly, this doesn't work if there's something between you and the target. They are good for strafng certain targets lined up a row, or if you need to kill things in a hurry, as you can just keep firing these with no pause. 2.6 SCORCHER AIR-TO-GROUND MISSILE Scorcher only targets ground targets, but it will annihilate most targets. Use V to select nearby targets. It is useful just to point out enemies before you see them. Often, you may want to keep the Scorcher and use the Sledgehammer instead. 2.7 VIPER AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE Viper will shoot and seek out the enemy, even turn circles if necessary. Use V to select nearby targets. Useful just to point out enemies before you see them. Great for tunnel running. Can be used as a Sledgehammer (i.e. dumbfire rocket) if there are no targets around for it to lock. Don't point too far off the target or you'll lose lock, then it'll just fly straight ahead (like a rocket). 2.8 LEGION MISSILE Legion missiles are fired in salvos of 4 and will engage ground and air targets. Use V to select nearby targets. Useful just to point out enemies before you see them. Also, good when you don't have time to pick your targets. 2.9 INDEPENDENCE MISSILE When you shoot one, it breaks into multiple Sledgehammer rockets. Useful for taking out bases. Shoot one into a base and it clears the whole section. Then you can mop up the rest. 2.10 HELLION MISSILE Think of it as "self-recharge". When you shoot one, it refill the main energy. It will destroy enemies, but that's almost like a secondary function. 2.11 DOOMSDAY MINE Make a BIG kaboom, will destroy anything, even you, if you're too close. In fact, you can ONLY release it when you're going at FULL speed. You can drop a series in a row. These are GREAT against Nyx, who just keep following you and get zapped. Drop like a whole string of them. Great when he's in that fighter invulnerable to your missiles. 3 Some tactics and strategies 3.1 GENERAL TIPS 3.1.1 Your craft has hull armor, use it! Don't IMMEDIATELY allocate energy to shields when it drops. The hull fixers are there for a reason... They need to get used! Add energy to shields when you have extra. Weapons takes priority! 3.1.2 Turn on the map! The map tells you if you're getting close to enemy positions or not while you're aboveground, and shows all the passages when you're underground. The map, with its coordinates, will help you pinpoint areas you have not explored yet. The mission objectives will give you an idea on whether the target's above or below ground. However, be aware that the map is 2D only, which means it may show an intersection when there is NOT (i.e. two passages pass one over the other, etc.) Still, if you will know where is what you can get there easier, or at least you know where to explore next. 3.1.3 Save Often! You have unlimited save slots. So save as often as you want! Nothing's more frustrating than dying suddenly by a trap, then realized you haven't saved for the past 5 minutes, which is like 2 levels ago! 3.1.4 Use beacons Drop a beacon when you think you need to come back. Mark those full energy containers for later retrieval, or ammo, or whatever you think you don't need now but may need later. 3.1.5 Watch the boss meter Bosses have a bargraph in the mission computer window that shows how much life it has remaining. When that bargraph is depleted, the boss is destroyed. This should give you a good idea on whether you're doing any damage or not. Most bosses just need plain firepower to destroy. Nyx may require a few other tricks. Obviously, you need to turn ON the mission computer to see this bar graph. 3.1.6 Watch those doors If a door closes, it can crush you! Use turbo to go through doors if necessary. And watch for crush zones. Later you will run into hidden doors, timed doors, and so on. 3.1.7 Manage the energy! Cloak and headlight burns main energy. Weapons burn weapon energy. (Note: turbo also uses a bit of weapon energy. As long as there is wepaon energy, turbo will regenerate. Else, when you're out of turbo, you're out) Shields burn shield energy. You can transfer energy from main to either shields or weapons. You cannot transfer it back though. Main energy does regenerate itself, but slowly. If you want to wait a bit in a safe spot... Turbo regenerates if you have energy in the weapon energy pool. Before you pick up energy (green, blue, or red "pills") transfer out some of the main energy to shields or weapons so you don't waste any. 3.1.8 When you can't locate the objective, go to the next one! In general, the objectives are in logical order, as you must go here, than, in order to get there. However, sometimes you can't locate a certain objective. If the objective is above ground, you can probably skip it and come back later. Hit TAB to cycle through your objectives. 3.1.9 Where's that #^$*&! door? Look for section with different texture to locate doors. While USUALLY they show that "orange target" switch, they don't always do. Also search the floor and ceiling just in case. Often the doors can be hidden under a platform or such. Watch the map for some clues. 3.2 WEAPONS TIPS 3.2.1 Use the VAL Valkyrie is the best weapon in the game... Works on almost anything, infinite ammo, can be pumped with more energy. However, sometimes you have a surplus of weapons that does NOT require energy (Sledgehammer rockets, for example). Use those sometimes. Finally, later you will find enemies that are vulnerable only to certain sorts of weapons, like dispersion cannons, lasers, and so on. 3.2.2 Try other weapons when VAL doesn't work Some enemies are only vulnerable to certain weapons in the final levels, so you need to try different weapons when your main weapon is not having an effect. Later levels you see enemies that are only vulnerable to certain weapons. Some can only be killed by missiles. Others can be killed only by guns, or laser, or even the dispersion cannon. Use the right weapon so you don't waste energy. 3.2.3 Save the ammo Collect a TON of ammo for everything. You never know when you may need it. By the end, you should have dozens of missiles (perhaps hundreds), and thousands of shots for the cannons. 3.2.4 Save the energy Your central energy tank can only hold so much. Before you recharge, allocate some of the energy to shields and weapons, to make sure you don't waste any. 3.2.5 Hug the ceiling or the floor Many ground defenders can only shoot at a specific altitude, so if you come in touching the ceiling, or hugging the floor, you can hit them but they can't hit you. Then stop, point up/down and take them. If that doesn't work, try the next tip. 3.2.6 Use missiles to shoot around corners Seeking missiles like Legion, Viper, and Scorcher will go around corners if you aim them right. This can be helpful in dealing with those tunnel guards. 3.2.7 Wild Weasel Tactics Those SAM launchers giving you trouble? There are two ways to deal with them. 1) Cloak breaks target lock, but soaks up energy quickly. Use the few seconds you gain to find the shooter. 2) If you don't have energy, try hiding behind something, then look at where the explosions are to determine where the missile is coming from. Once you've located the launcher, charge into the open and kill it with gunfire. 3.2.8 Look for weapons cache all over the place They can be hidden almost anywhere. Inside buildings, under stairs, in tunnel side branches, and so on. However, those dots will usually show up on your "radar". So if you spot some but can't see them, search around a bit. 3.2.9 Save the Hellion for emergencies When there's too many to handle, shoot a Hellion. It recharges your main energy, giving you a fighting chance. 3.3 OTHER TIPS 3.3.1 Fly right In space levels, getting to the destination is a problem. Best way is rotate and turn until your arrow is pointing at the destination, and the artificial horizon shows that you're right- side-up (white on top, gray on bottom). Then you can fly to your objective, and dive/climb as needed to reach it. 3.3.2 Did we mention the superweapon? If you find the pieces of the superweapon, you can use them to make the ultimate weapon... As for how to find them... I leave that up to you. But if you really want it, read the last section. 4 Enemies and Obstacles 4.1 FIGHTERS Enemy fighters come in various configs and sizes. They have minimal shields but is very maneuverable. Later, you run into fighters that can cloak. Then there's Nyx's superfighter, which becomes tougher as you progress. You have to take him out like 4-5 times over the course of the war. That's more like a "boss" though, so read that section. Even later, you run into fighters that are only vulnerable to certain weapons. Most can be killed by missiles, but there are a few that require multiple missiles, and even some that are invulnerable to missiles (you can figure out which weapon it is vulnerable to). 4.2 FLYERS Flyers are much slower than fighters, but are armed with heavy plasma cannons or missiles. They generally guard specific spots such as tunnels. They can shoot at any angle, unlike the ground defenses. In later levels, you will see the regular fighters acting as flyers guarding spots in the tunnels. Later flyers are only vulnerable to certain weapons. For example, in the asteroid field, the yellow flyers are only vulnerable to your Valkyrie cannons (or missiles, but they don't lock), and the blue flyers are only vulnerable to dispersion cannons. 4.3 SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES The SAM sites are VERY tough, as they shoot a missile every 3 seconds, leaving you no time to shoot it. Hit CLOAK to break lock and use those few seconds to kill it. Or hide behind a ridge and use one of your missiles to shoot around the "corner". The Bosses also carries one of these missile launchers. 4.4 GROUND TURRETS Turrets are usually limited to a field of fire that does extend high or low enough. Either touch the ceiling or hug the floor, and they won't hit you. They have a different shape every level, but they all act the same way. 4.5 BION MOBILE AIR DEFENSE Some robots with treads can move around a bit, like a mobile turret. They can be armed with rockets or plasma guns. Fortunately, they have the ground unit firing arc limit. 4.6 BOSSES Several levels have a "guardian" that's a boss creature you must defeat. Usually firepower is enough, but sometimes you have to experiment what weapons works on which. Also, read the boss bargraph (turn on the mission computer!) which will tell you if you're making a dent or not. 4.7 SWITCHES Switches come in all shapes and sizes. Usually they have this orange circle look, but later they will change shapes. A switch can be timed. Push it and it may reset itself after X seconds. Though MOST switches stay put once you trigger it. To trigger a switch, usually you just shoot it, though SOME switches may require a specific weapon. Yet some switches can only be thrown after other switches have been thrown. 5 Mission walkthrough In general, the objectives are so straightforward it's almost impossible to mess up. The only time you may be "stuck" is if you explored in the wrong direction and got stuck underground when you should be above ground, or vice versa. Save whenever you go above or below ground so you can backtrack when necessary. 5.1 MORBOS / COUNTERSTRIKE 5.1.1 Briefing We have tracked the Bion Commandos who destroyed the Fighter Academy on Sebek to the remote world of Morbos. Your mission is to eliminate the threat of these Bion Commandos and to destroy their base of operations on Morbos. Be on the lookout for a message pod left behind by our Bion spy Rishi. Good luck! 5.1.2 Mission analysis There really is not that much to it. After all, this is the first mission. You'll figure out quickly the basics of dogfight. Enemy fighters WILL jink, so should you. 5.1.3 Level 1 Objective List Destroy commando transports Destroy commando transports Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Locate switch to open the hatch and explore underground Locate and destroy fusion reactor Locate and destroy fusion reactor Go to checkpoint Destroy fusion reactor Locate exit Locate jump point and go to next level NOTE: There is a secret area in this level, Can you find it? 5.1.4 Level 2 Objectives Destroy Bion transports Destroy Bion transports Locate entrance and explore Go to checkpoint Destroy mining base Destroy reaction Exit tunnel system Destroy shipping center Locate jump point and go to next level 5.1.5 Level 3 Objectives Destroy relay station Go to checkpoint Destroy training center Destroy transports Locate underground entrance Explore underground Destroy fusion reactor Destroy fusion reactor Go to checkpoint Destroy generator Exit underground Retrieve message pod -- just run into it Go to jump point 5.2 EYRIE / SAVIOR 5.2.1 Briefing The Bion shock troops are leaving planet Eyrie by the thousands aboard their transport ships. These "Furies" are being sent out to take over many strategic locations throughout the galaxy. They are heavily entrenched here and we must stop them. We have lost many ships here while trying to evacuate and we need you to set up a better link to the P.O.W. camps so that we can rescue the prisoners. You must stop these transport ships and help our C.O.P. rescue forces in their efforts to escape from Eyrie. 5.2.2 Level 1 Objectives Destroy comm relay base Destroy troop transports Proceed to checkpoint Delta 1 Destroy tactical operations center Proceed to checkpoint Gamma 2 Destroy Bion shock troop strongholds Locate prison and drop a beacon -- you need to drop the beacon as close to range zero as possible. If you don't advance to next objective automatically, you did NOT get close enough. Try again. Destroy Bion commando training facility Destroy shipping containers Destroy Eyrie Command Center Destroy tactical operations center (different one) Destroy comm outpost Destroy troop transports (yep, more of them) Locate prison and drop a beacon -- you need to drop the beacon as close to range zero as possible. If you don't advance to next objective automatically, you did NOT get close enough. Try again. Destroy the Bion Interplanetary Comm network at the base Locate jump point to next level 5.2.3 Level 2 Objectives Destroy comm outpost Destroy nexus monitoring station Destroy troop transports Destroy comm outpost Destroy watchtower Destroy Bion ground transports Destroy comm relay station Destroy tactical operations center Destroy control center and other buildings Destroy relay station Destroy training center Destroy training center (another one) Locate jump point and leave the planet 5.3 IOWAH / PROTECTOR 5.3.1 Briefing Our Bion spy Rishi has fled to a planet named Iowah, a world of vast oceans with islands jutting out to the sky. It is a world pocketed by subterranean tunnels that link the islands together. We must locate Rishi and escort him to safety before Nyx finds him. [Note: Nyx is a Bion ace/leader] Other sympathizers have joined Rishi in an attempt to escape from Nyx. Rishi has vital information regarding the location of new types of genetic research facilities or nurseries. Be careful, we must have this information! 5.3.2 Mission analysis While the objectives are similar, this throws a major monkey wrench at you... Escorting. The problem with escorting is you can't really use missiles. If you do, make sure they target the enemy. If you fire blind you will likely shoot your friendly down and that will mean you get to start the mission over from scratch. 5.3.3 Level 1 Checklist Destroy landing port Destroy generators Proceed to checkpoint Proceed to checkpoint Destroy security base Proceed to checkpoint Destroy generators Locate jump point to next level 5.3.4 Level 2 Checklist Destroy surveillance tower and base Destroy power station and defense Destroy surveillance tower and base Locate and enter subterranean base entrance Destroy turbines and processors Destroy omega base security forces Destroy generator and its guards Proceed to checkpoint Exit the chamber Locate underground entrance and enter NOTE: You may want to save now. Escort Rishi's shuttle to jump point -- against, clean out the enemies quickly, do NOT use missiles (except air to ground missiles) as you may shoot down the friendly. Locate underground entrance and enter Destroy generators and processors Destroy power station Destroy power station Return to surface Locate jump point to next level 5.3.5 Level 3 Checklist Destroy security forces Locate tunnel entrance and enter Destroy water control center Locate oceanic entrance and enter Destroy research facility Destroy research facility Destroy research facility Destroy power station Locate underground entrance Destroy fighter pilot training school Destroy transport hangar and ships Destroy water control center and base Proceed to surface Destroy generator Escort coalition shuttles with refugees off the planet -- at least one shuttle must survive to the jump point. Destroy Nyx, the Bion ace -- he's in a nice fighter, but with enough missiles you can take him out. Proceed to checkpoint You have 30 seconds to get into the jump point -- if you don't get there, you lose. 5.4 KRESH / PINPOINT 5.4.1 Briefing Thanks to the information that Rishi obtained, we have learned the location of the Bion nurseries. They are located on the planet Kresh. Kresh is a world of mystic beauty and equally mystic beliefs. We are only allowed to come in and slice out the Bion influence that is taking over this peaceful world. You must be careful -- their temples are equipped with reactive shields and if too many of them are destroyed, we may not be able to protect you from their retaliation. 5.4.2 Mission Analysis You cannot shoot at the extra towers and such. If you shoot too many (even by accident), you get the "death by ramming an active shield" death movie. You will have to rely on missiles for air attack and defense, unless you're very precise on the stick. 5.4.3 Level 1 Checklist Destroy hatchery Destroy transports Destroy ionic turbines Go to checkpoint beta 17 Destroy munitions factory Destroy hatchery Destroy munitions factory Destroy Bion base 5.4.4 Level 2 Checklist Destroy hatchery Destroy transport facility Destroy genetic research facility Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Locate underground entrance Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Destroy genetic storage facility Destroy genetic storage facility Go to checkpoint Go to exit Go to checkpoint Destroy enzyme factory Destroy transport facility Go to checkpoint Go to jump point to next level 5.4.5 Level 3 Objective Checklist Destroy base and transport ships Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Destroy Bion hatchery Go to checkpoint Destroy ionic turbine Destroy genetic storage Locate entrance to tunnels Go to check point Destroy genetic storage center Locate entrance to lair Destroy death Ankh -- you need to open all three switches to reveal the Ankh. Then you need lots of missiles to blow up up permanently. You may have to open the switch a couple times as one of the three switches is timed and this may not give you enough time to blow it up with one attempt. Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Locate exit Locate jump point 5.5 CHIMERA / STEEL FORGE 5.5.1 Briefing From what we have learned, the Bions are moving in more radical directions with their bio-genetic experimentation. They are attempting to mutate their lifeforms into new and more powerful creatures. The planet of Chimera is a bioengineering facility and the reports have shown such hideous abominations coming from there. We must stop them at all costs. Locate and destroy any factories or bases located on the surface or in the cored-out lava chambers of Chimera. 5.5.2 Mission analysis Nothing too remarkable about Chimera except that you see "dinos". There's pterodactyl-bions that acts as one of their flyers, and there's the ground-based Raptors that spits plasma. 5.5.3 Level 1 Checklist Destroy biogenetic storage Destroy research base Destroy ground ops base Destroy transport base Destroy research base Locate and destroy underground base Destroy biogenetic factory Proceed to lava tunnel surface exit Proceed to final checkpoint Jump to next level 5.5.4 Level 2 Objectives Destroy biogenetic factory Destroy cloning facility Destroy transport system staging area Destroy powerplant and base Destroy underground hangar Destroy underground distribution base Locate back exit Destroy cloning facility Go to checkpoint Go to jump point for next level 5.5.5 Level 3 Objectives Destroy cloning facilities Destroy genetic engineering research facility Destroy biogenetic factory Destroy transport staging area Explore lava tunnels Destroy mining base Leave lava tunnel Go to checkpoint Destroy robotic simian guardian -- nasty, as he has a missile launcher, but with enough Hammerheads he goes down. Nyx is back -- again, with enough missiles he will go down, but this time it's tougher. NOTE: When you take out Nyx, you go to next level 5.6 TRICERIUS ASTEROID BELT / HEAVY METAL 5.6.1 Briefing You have found the asteroid belt that is the home base of operations for Nyx. Nyx must be here! See if you can locate his secret base of operations where his backup ships are stored. If you can eliminate those ships, Nyx should be an easy target. This asteroid belt is littered with large and small hidden outposts, defensive systems, and guards, so be careful. Good luck! 5.6.2 Analysis The sky is full of tiny asteroids that will confuse your sensors, as they lock on to a lot of junk. Be very careful about where you shoot your missiles. You don't want to waste them. You start seeing minelayers, which drops a trail of doomsday mines and can do you significant damage untill you kill it first. The tunnels and asteroids are guarded by the yellow and blue flyers, each is resistant to different weapons. One trick in flying on this map is turn and rotate until you got the artificial horizon lined up right (white on top, gray on bottom), then turn left/right to line up the needle, then go forward. When you get close, move up/down to realign target. Another trick is point the needle in the right direction and accelerate to full speed. If the range is counting down quickly, you're going in the right direction. Otherwise, pitch up/down to see if you can make the range go down faster. 5.6.3 Level 1 Objectives Go to checkpoint Destroy docking station Destroy cloaking generator Destroy radar units Destroy cloaking generator Destroy radar unit Destroy wormhole control unit Go to checkpoint (when you arrive, you start the next level immediately) 5.6.4 Level 2 Objectives Destroy research center Destroy radar unit Destroy docking station Destroy docking station Destroy weapon testing facility Destroy Morning Star facility Go to checkpoint (when you arrive, you start the next level immediately) 5.6.5 Level 3 Objectives Destroy lookout towers Destroy research center Destroy cloaking facility Destroy comm relays Destroy shuttle base Destroy weapons facility Destroy landing base Destroy landing base Nyx is back again -- each fight is getting harder! NOTE: Nyx seems to be invulnerable to missiles. Use Doomsday mine here would be best. The fact that you found a bunch of them just before this should be a good clue on what to expect Destroy docking station Destroy lookout towers Go to checkpoint, which takes you to next level immediately 5.6.6 Level 4 Checklist Destroy radar units Go to asteroid core entrance Destroy shuttle base Destroy weapons research center Destroy Morning Star facility Destroy weapons testing center Destroy weapons research center Destroy cloaking test center Destroy weapons research center Destroy weapons research center Go to checkpoint Destroy Morning Star docking center Destroy Weapons Research center Destroy Nyx's support ships -- only vulnerable to dispersion cannons, but since they don't move, it's easy for you to figure that out. Destroy Council of War facilities-- the door you need to open only responds to dispersion cannon. Destroy weapons research center Destroy Morning Star docking facility Destroy cloak test facility Locate exit to asteroid Nyx is back AGAIN... But this time, he has no backup ships. -- use dispersion cannon and/or doomsday mine to take him out! Go to jump zone. 5.7 SNOW CITY / FREEDOM 5.7.1 Briefing Snow City has a vast storage facility that covers a good portion of this icy world. The Bions have taken over this facility and have used it to store many of their captured foes. Initial reports have indicated that once a person has been hooked up to these mutated cryo tanks, there is no saving them. Mutation begins immediately, and all that we can do at this point is to set them free. Do whatever you have to so that this never happens again. 5.7.2 Briefing Snow City features a LOT of tunnels and cityscapes, both above and below ground. There are a lot of surprises hidden inside the various buildings. Try shooting at some of the buildings, esp. if it looks like the "path" on the ground leads into the building. Oh, and don't shoot the cars. 5.7.3 Level 1 Checklist NOTE: Look for goodies hidden inside buildings and entrances revealed by switches. Re-explore sections you thought you had explored, esp. if you flipped a switch. Destroy comm center Destroy control units Enter underground city Destroy underground reactors Destroy cryogenic containers Continue to checkpoint Destroy control units Destroy reactors Destroy cryogenic containers Destroy cryogenic containers Destroy reactors Destroy cryogenic containers Destroy cryogenic containers Destroy cryogenic containers Destroy DNA recombinant labs Return to city entrance Locate jump point 5.7.4 Level 2 Checklist Destroy control units Destroy comm center Destroy control units Locate underground entrance Destroy cryogenic containers Destroy cryogenic containers Destroy bio-genetic storage facility Destroy control units Destroy cryogenic containers Destroy bio-genetic storage facility Proceed to checkpoint Destroy cryogenic containers Destroy cryogenic containers Return to entrance and reach surface Locate jump point and exit level 5.7.5 Level 3 Checklist Destroy control units Destroy DNA labs Continue to checkpoint ?????? 5.8 SHIVA / DAGGER'S HEART 5.8.1 Briefing We've come to the end of the line. We are now into our greatest struggle against the evil that has befallen us. The battle fleet of Shiva has come to the nexus point above Snow City to launch its final attack against the galaxy. They plan on launching probes into the nexus and starting a chain reaction that will collapse the entire nexus. The ensuing shockwave will destroy each and every system where these connections lie. Penetrate their defenses, take out Shiva, and put an end to Fx4. Give them hell, Councilor! 5.8.2 Mission Analysis The first level is like the asteroid... Lots of targets both "ground" and space, esp. fighters. Then you start going below ground. When you see a bunch of switches, watch out for a trap. 5.8.3 Level 1 Objective List Destroy power plant Destroy power plant Destroy power plant Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Destroy power plant Destroy power plant Go to checkpoint Nyx is back again -- but this time, plain firepower will take him down. You can shoot missiles far faster than he can. Go to checkpoint (and next level) 5.8.4 Level 2 Objectives Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Locate entrance into ship NOTE: Once you're inside, look for the switches. When you see a whole group of switches, stay BACK and trigger one. If you trigger the wrong one, you can be crushed! HINT: A switch may open up hidden areas behind existing rooms. So re-explore all existing areas after you throw a switch. Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Go to checkpoint Destroy reactor substation Destroy energy transfer units Destroy energy transfer units Destroy control units Destroy atmospheric processors Go to checkpoint Destroy FX4 and his battlearmor (looks like a centaur) -- nothing too special, just a LOT of explosive ordinance. Go to checkpoint Locate rear reactor and destroy it (this one doesn't shoot back, even though it acts like a boss) Destroy Shiva's engine core -- don't do it yet, as you're likely to get lost now. Instead, scout the route first. NOTE: Explore the route first as you need to make a VERY quick exit after destroying the reactors. You will find that you can make it to two separate exits... There's one way to the "west" (left of the map), and there's one that you can get to that's a bit closer, but takes a couple more turns. The closer one is the one you should go. Practice the route, then save the game. THEN you can destroy that last piece of reactor and make your run for it. Get out now! Now! Now! (I hope you saved your turbo fuel and didn't get lost!) NOTE: If you make it out, you win! 6 Misc. Information 6.1 CHEATCODES Code Effect IMPUMPD All weapons TOTLPWR Main Energy at 100% URAGONR Get the secret weapon URDEAD# Get weapon (followed by a digit) MAXMEUP Hull 100% STEROID Invulnerability IMSTUCK Skips mission to beginning of next level AUNTEM# Warp to a world (followed by a digit) 6.2 FUN BONUS CHOICE When choosing a ship in multiplayer mode, click craft 7 twice, then craft 2, and then craft 3... 6.3 ABOUT THAT "SUPERWEAPON" Yes, there is a "superweapon" in the game. Its pieces are scattered throughout the various levels. If you can assemble the pieces... 6.3.1 so the pieces are at... Morbos 1 Eyrie 2 Iowah 2 Kresh 3 Chimera 3 Asteroid 4 Snow City 2 Shiva 1 WARNING! FOLLOWING INFORMATION MAY JUST SPOIL YOUR FUN! DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU MUST HAVE THE SUPERWEAPON IMMEDIATELY! I MEAN IT! I REALLY MEAN IT! 6.3.2 So where is it on Morbos 1? Near the last chamber that has the Two Fusion Reactors, you come through a door that dilates open. You turn left and follow that tunnel to its midpoint around (115, 24). Look for a different texture and shoot it. You should see a switch. Turn it. It opens a door back near the first area where you went underground near (19, 55). When you go underground, find the area where the robots are guarding in an area with the eagle symbol on the walls and the large orange bands on the ceiling and floor. The door leading into the Superweapon should now be open, at the room located at (19, 60). 6.3.3 So where is it on Eyrie 2? On the ground area you will find a large enclosed pool of water underneath a floating rock at (63, 91). There is a building attached to this pool, but you can not get into it yet. There is a little road that you follow across some bridges to the first SW Switch at (65, 50), this switch will drain the water down in the pool at (63, 91). Shoot it and turn back around and go back to the pool. Shoot the second switch next to the pool at (65, 84) and the access door to the weapon will now be opened at (62, 88). Go in and get the second SW piece located approximately at (61, 82). 6.3.4 Where is it on Iowah 2? There are three switches in a little alcove. The switch at (90, 97) will morph the wall and open up the room that contains the first SW switch at (88, 97). This switch will open the walls around the SW. The other two switches in this area will open up other chambers that contain powerups. Go back to the switches at (105, 61) or (105, 64) to morph open the wall leading into the SW room and you should find the SW in the middle of the room that opened located approximately at (112, 66). There are other weapons bunkers in alcoves all around that room. Aim carefully, as a stray shot may close off one of those walls, denying you the goodies. 6.3.5 Where is it on Kresh 3? This SW is hidden in plain sight underneath a building at (59, 99). The only way to get to this is from the underground chamber system. Once you are pretty much done with the level and on your way out, you will come across a tunnel that has purple metal on the ground. Follow this purple tunnel down to the end and go up through the ceiling to get into the building where the SW is stored. Grab it and go back down and out to continue on. 6.3.6 Where is it on Chimera 3? This SW is in an area where you will have to do a lot of back and forth to get to it. Locate the underground chamber and the first switch at (48, 71) and flick it. This switch opens the building on the surface at (54, 58). Go inside and down into a little chamber with four SW switches. Shoot the switches at (54, 53), (54, 58), (49, 58), and (49,53) to open up the four barriers back in the chamber where the first switch was at. The switches above open the barriers at (48, 65) to (48, 68). Go back down to this chamber and shoot the wall at (47, 66) or (47, 67) and the wall will morph open and reveal the SW chamber. The SW piece is in the middle of the SW chamber located approximately at (43, 66). 6.3.7 Where is it in Asteroid 4? There are switches located at (8, 107) and (10,111) that open a chamber. Proceed into the chamber quickly since it will close up itself after 8 seconds and you will be unable to go back out that way. The switch to open the SW chamber is located at (19, 109) and will open the doors at (16, 104). Check the ground near the switch and you will which switches to flick. Once inside this SW room you will find the 5th NYX ship and the SW piece right next to it located at approximately (16, 98). This is a hidden NYX ship that is not part of the normal Objective list so this is an extra bonus. To get out of this area you can shoot the "X" marked boxes and they will lead to an alternate exit for you. 6.3.8 Where is it in Snow City 2? The first SW switch to open the SW chamber is located in a door jam at (33, 30). This switch will morph open the wall at (102, 81) which then leads into the SW Chamber. Once in there you have four switches to choose from. The true SW switch is located at (105, 78) and will open up the walls surrounding the SW piece located approximately at (109, 82). The three other switches located at (112, 78), (112, 85), and (105, 85) will bring the ceiling sailing down on you but will not crush you, just push you down (unless of course you were on top of a switch at that time). This will lock the ceiling down on you for 30 seconds before it resets itself, which means you can try again. 6.3.9 Where is it in Shiva 1? This SW piece is just hidden out in middle of nowhere. Locate the ship at (107, 11) and find the one box that has a different colored texture on the top of it. Shoot this box at (107, 11) and go into the little building there. The SW piece is just sitting in the center of the room at (108, 12). Enjoy! --THE END--