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Thunder Blade(TM) ================= Document created by rstuart@ukonline.co.uk on 17th Jan 00 for World of Spectrum: http://www.void.demon.nl/spectrum.html Taken from the U.S. Gold compilation 'Winners!'. SEGA's classic coin op is sheer arcade brilliance captured as you control the meanest fighting machine ever to storm the skies. Hold onto your stomachs, unscramble your brains for the journey of a lifetime in the most advanced helicopter gunship ever conceived by armaments specialists. One of the most powerful shoot 'em ups ever devised. (c) 1988 SEGA(R) Loading Instructions -------------------- CBM 64/128 Cassette Press SHIFT and RUN/STOP keys simultaneously. Press PLAY on your cassette recorder. CBM 64/128 Disk Type LOAD "*",8,1 and press RETURN. Refer to DISK LABELS for running order. Spectrum 48/128K, +2 Cassette Type LOAD"" and press PLAY on your cassette recorder. Spectrum +3 Turn on computer, insert disk and press RETURN. Amstrad CPC Cassette Press CTRL and small ENTER keys simultaneously. Press PLAY on your cassette recorder. Amstrad CPC Disk Type RUN"DISK and press ENTER. Follow on screen prompts. Atari ST Insert required disk, turn on computer and games will load and run automatically. CBM Amiga Insert required disk, turn on computer and game will load and run automatically. Scenario -------- Your country is being overrun by the marauding rebel forces of a merciless and unforgiving dictator, General Chorzelski. Battle weary troops accede to the superior power of the rebels' sophisticated weaponry and it is only a matter of time before the government is overthrown. U.S.G.H.Q. have summoned you as their last remaining hope to vanquish the enemy using the ultimate flying machine; Thunder Blade, an advanced attack helicopter. An experienced vateran of many an aerial compaign, can you accomplish the seemingly impossible? The mission details are outlined to you in various strategical stages: 1. Skyscraper City 3. River Delta 2. Mountain/Desert 4. Refinery In each sector, you will come up against both ground and air forces, all trying to defend one of their super fortresses, which must be destroyed at all costs. Once the last stronghold has been defeated you'll deserve a good rest. Gameplay -------- You start the game with five reserve helicopters (two reserve helicopters for C64 version). The game is over once all of your helicopters have been destroyed or once the last stronghold has been taken. An extra helicopter is awarded on achieving a pre-defined number of points. You engage the enemy from both vertical and horizontal viewpoints. Thunder Blade's advanced weaponry system comprises a rapid-fire Chain Cannon, used for aerial targets such as enemy helicopters and airplanes. One quick burst is all that is needed. Straight line air-to-ground missiles take care of your land and sea enemy targets. Remember though, missiles are not suited to rapid fire, so accuracy and timing is of primary importance. They also cannot shoot at enemy aircraft, only ground craft, so remember Cannon for Air, Missiles for Ground (Spectrum/Amstrad only) CBM users please note: both Cannon and Missiles can shoot any target. To hit your target on land or sea, position yourself in a direct line with the enemy's vehicle and press the FIRE button. Joystick Controls ----------------- Joystick Speed Control Dive | Bank Left ---+--- Bank Right | Climb FIRE not pressed Accelerate + FIRE | Bank Left ---+--- Bank Right | Decelerate FIRE pressed Keyboard Controls ----------------- C64 Spectrum Amstrad Atari ST/Amiga --------------------------------------------------------------------- Joystick Speed Control F7 F1 Keyboard Speed Control F1 F2 Pause SPACE H H F9 Continue F10 Music on M Sound FX on S Up Q Q Down A A Left O O Right P P Fire SPACE/ SPACE/ SHIFT SHIFT Keyboard Speed Control C64 Spectrum Amstrad Atari ST/Amiga --------------------------------------------------------------------- Accelerate F1 E E up arrow Decelerate F3 D D down arrow Dive | Bank Left ---+--- Bank Right | Climb Note for Spectrum/Amstrad Users: Once joystick has been selected you can choose joystick speed control or keyboard speed control. Scoring ------- Points are awarded for destroying the following enemy aircraft: 1. AH-6NS Sparrow Hawk Attack Helicopter. 2. Type-74 Bengal Tiger Tank. 3. F-14 Meercat Jet Fighter. 4. A4U-N2 Corsair Fighter Aircraft. 5. ASH-07 Barracuda Torpedo Cruiser. 6. Stage 1 Mobile Fortress: SRS-78A1 Blackbird. 7. Stage 2 Mobile Fortress: Marauder Troop Carrier. 8. Stage 3 Fortress: BA-001 Mermaster Invasion Craft. 9. Stage 4 Command Fortress. The Command Fortress is the rebel nerve centre and by destroying this your country will be liberated. The identity is scarecely known as many who have seen it, haven't lived to tell. Bonus points are awarded at the end of each level. The bonus depends on the number of craft destroyed. A time bonus is also awarded. Hints ----- In every stage the enemy attacks in patterns. By identifying these you'll know where to move, where to fire and when. Shoot all of the enemy down if you can to earn bonus points and helicopters. Not all of the enemy will shoot at you but you can't be too careful, if it moves or looks dangerous, shoot it. (c) 1988 Sega Enterprises Ltd. This game has been manufactured under liscence from Sega Enterprises Ltd., Japan and THUNDER BLADE(TM) and SEGA(R) (or SEGA(TM)) are trademarks of Sega Enterprises Ltd. ---------- Thunder Blade - other hints Load up the game, select your joystick and the screen will say... A Keyboard Speed Control B Joystick Speed Control Press G and O at the same time and the border will go cyan for a couple of seconds. Carry on as normal, but when playing the game press Enter to skip the current level. Control Press G and O at the same time and the border will go cyan for a couple of seconds. Carry on as normal, but when playing the game press Enter to skip the current level. |