| The Trap Door
A program by Don Priestley Commodore and Amstrad versions by Five Ways Software Loading Spectrum48K: Type LOAD""<RETURN> Spectrum 128K: Select Spectrum 48k mode and use LOAD "" Commodore 64: Press SHIFT, RUN/STOP and release Amstrad CPC: Hold down CONTROL then press ENTER Playing the game Somewhere in the dark and nasty regions where nobody goes, stands an old and spooky castle -home of the Bad Tempered Thing. In the dark lower regions of the castle, Berk grudgingly slaves away carrying out the orders of the Thing. To win his ultimate reward - a safe full of loot -Berk has to complete up to five bizarre tasks (four in Learner mode) quickly and accurately before the Thing's anger boils over. Each task is completed when Berk sends his offering Upstairs on the dumb waiter and the Thing accepts it. Learner Berk Before the game starts you can choose to be a Learner Berk or a Super Berk. When you first play it's a good idea to try the humble Learner mode. It's easier, even if you don't score so highly or earn Berk's pay! The Trap Door Under the trap door lurk 'orrible monstrosities all eager to escape as soon as the trap is opened. Most have a useful role in completing Berk's tasks. The problem is knowing which monster is needed for which task. If the wrong one gets out, it can be a real time-waster and a danger to life and limb! Get rid of wrong 'uns (somehow!) as quickly as possible. Spooks If the trap door is left open, spooks fly out. Like almost everything in Berk's world, they're hungry and the only way Berk can get rid of them is by feeding them. They'll eat anything -worms, eggs, eye-juice, eyes, even Boni the skull! If Berk hasn't got food to hand, the spooks will send him reeling. In Learner Berk mode, the spooks have been given a holiday and won't trouble you. Boni and Drutt Boni's pretty bright as skulls go. Each time Berk picks him up he utters a few words, sometimes useful advice on how to complete a task. Drutt the spider spends his time hopping about getting in Berk's way and eating worms. It's hard to get rid of him! The tasks They can all be done! Wait for the Thing to announce what it wants then get cracking. All the props for the tasks can be found in the lower regions. But you'll need some ingenuity to figure out how to use the various objects (and their contents). Each task needs for completion a particular Trap Door Monster. The Anger-Meter at the bottom of the screen warns you that time is running out. When the Thing gets really mad, it yells at Berk that time's up. If Berk hasn't finished, the task in hand is cancelled and a new one is set. Containers Berk can shove some objects and a shoved object can shove other objects. Berk can put things into containers, carry them around and tip out the contents. Some are vital to particular tasks! Score Your score reduces as time ticks by and increases with bonuses for the successes you achieve. Super Berk Your real objective is to become a Super Berk! If Berk completes all the tasks he'll be awarded his wages. But Thing sends them down in a tough-looking safe. To get his loot and become a true Super Berk, the safe has to be opened. There's an exact procedure that guarantees success. Finding it is the final challenge. Controls Keys are user-definable and there's a joystick option. You can move Berk "forward", "back", "left" and "right" so the playing area has a real multl-dimensional feel to it. When Berk's hands are empty he'll pick up objects if you home him in on them accurately. To get him to shove things, line him up to the left or right and slightly behind them. Use the "drop" key to get Berk to put things down behind him and the "tip" key to spill the contents of containers in front of him. Activate levers by lining Berk up alongside them so he can reach them with one of his hands. Strategy Once you've figured out how to carry out the tasks you can start using strategy to maximise your score. For example, if you complete a task early, you can make preparations for any of the other tasks. Objects already in the best locations can save time later and win you extra points. Program, packaging and documentations¸ Macmillan Ltd, 1986. All rights reserved. All forms of copying or reproduction without permission of the copyright owners is illegal. This product may not be offered for hire or loan. Trap Door music ¸MCPS Ltd, 1986 Trap Door single available from EMI Records. This program is based on the TV series The Trap Door devised and created by Charlie Mills and Terry Brain. Trap Door characters ¸ CMTB Animation/Queensgate Productions Ltd, 1986. Information on other Piranha games from Richard Bason or Mandy Keyho Piranha Software 4 Little Essex Street London WC2R3LF (01-8366633) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Retyped in 2012 by hERMOL Visit my website at http://CPCRULEZ.fr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------- Retyped in 2012 by hERMOL Visit my website at http://CPCRULEZ.fr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |