HOSTAGE

    ...is a multipart action game in which the player must rescue four
    hostages held captive by a gang of ruthless terrorists.  The game
    contains three stages, each requiring a different strategy.

STAGE ONE:

    During the first stage, the player must guide the team's three marksmen
    to specially designated points on the game map, avoiding the roving
    terrorist spotlights.  In this stage it is important to take note of
    the searchlight pattern.  Since the pattern does not change, it can be
    memorized to help you determine the proper moves to make while avoiding
    being spotted.  For instance, if a searchlight travels straight towards
    the gunner at waist level, use a duck-and-roll technique to maneuver
    under it.  If they are traveling across the floor there are two options:
    Either wait until they head upwards, which they usually do at the end of
    the pattern, then simply run under them; or jump into an open window, if
    there is one available, when the light approaches, then jump back out
    when the light passes.

    If a light cannot be totally avoided, which is the case with a couple of
    them, run through it with a fall-and-roll maneuver.  This will get the
    man through quicker, with a much lower chance of being hit by enemy
    gunfire.  Team members can take a couple of shots before dying, so
    don't panic if an on-screen counterpart gets hit once during this
    maneuver.

STAGE TWO:

    Once the snipers are positioned, the player must control the three man
    intervention team and safely move them into the building. The men rappel
    down rhe side of the building and must be maneuvered carefully as they
    can fall or be shot from an embassy window.

    The trick is to survey the windows with a sniper before sending the
    team down.  It is best to pick a third storey window as an entry point
    as there always seems to be fewer terrorists hanging around up there;
    this lowers the chance of a surprise attack.  Have the marksman check
    the appropriate window for at least five secnds before sending a man
    down.  If all is clear, crawl down slowly.

    The trick to rappeling is to drop down in small jumps of no more than
    half a body length.  Stop when the man is directly above the desired
    window, then jump once more and bring the man down directly above the
    desired window.  If done correctly, the man will break the glass and
    enter the building safely.

    The instruction manual suggests the player bring all three men inside
    and says the player `must successfully maneuver the three throughout
    the building' in order to win.  Here, I must disagree.  A better move
    is to rappel the men down and control them one at a time through the
    embassy.  This allows the player to concentrate more on one man and
    avoid jumping between team members when they get in trouble.  Having
    all three men in there at once is not only frustrating, it's downright
    dangerous.

STAGE THREE

    The real fun begins once a team member successfully gains entrance to
    the embassy.  The player must now traverse the three-story building,
    killing any terrorists he spots, in the effort to rescue the hostages.

    Once inside, survey the area using the map.  If any terrorists are
    nearby, immediatly turn in the approiate direction and fire the instant
    they appear.  Even a one-second delay will be enough to give the
    terrorist the chance to attack.

    If a terrorist is in a room and against the wall, it is best not to try
    to enter, turn and fire.  The time it takes to turn the man could prove
    fatal.  Instead switch control to the sniper positioned outside the
    room housing the terrorist; bring the sight to the window and fire if
    the terrorist is in range.  If he isn't, fire anyway!  This usually
    scares him and he'll run past the window.  When he does, blast him.

    Another thing to ascertain is whether a hostage is moving, because
    hostages don't move by themselves.  If one is stirring, there is a
    terrorist hiding behind him.  Quickly aim over the hostage's right
    shoulder and wait until the terrorist shows his ugly face.  Fire away,
    but be careful not to blow away the poor hostage.

    There are two ways to win at `Hostage'.  Either place all the hostages
    in the safety room on the third floor or blow away all the terrorists.
    The key to a successful game is to use the snipers whenever possible.
    If the snipers aren't utilized properly, you're likely to get someone
    inadvertantly killed.  If that happens you can bet the press won't
    hesitate to badmouth the entire operation.