Dark, The

Запустите Dark, The и играйте. Эта игра жанра “аркада”, изданная в России в 1997 году творческой группой Oleg Origin, которую написал Oleg Origin.

THE DARK
========

(C) 1997 Oleg Origin
    2016 re-release


System requirements
===================

ZX Spectrum 48K or higher


Plot
====

Many years ago the army of dark forces has crossed the border of the Land of Winds.
Most of the population have been killed, others have escaped to northern lands.
Among them there was a girl named Jane. Soon she gave birth to a son, Alexander.
Jane told him the sad story. And when he became an adult, he went to the native land to free his country.


Main menu
=========

The main menu is shown after loading:

	1. KEYBOARD
	2. SINCLAIR
	3. KEMPSTON
	4. CURSOR

	F. M-FIRE
	   SPACE-MAP

Press the specified key to select menu item.
Keys 1-4 choose control type.
The keys QAOP + M + Space are defined for the keyboard.

Pressing of F swaps the functions of keys M and Space (fire/map).
It is also relevant if you use the joystick - for selection of a key for the map showing.

After the choice of controls, press FIRE to begin game.
Be attentive: opportunity to choose control type anew is absent.


Gameplay
========

Game consists of prologue and 9 levels.
The task of each level is a reaching the exit, except for level 4, where the player has to find and kill all enemies, and level 9, where it is necessary to destroy all eggs of the evil.

The main character is resisted by various representatives of dark forces. Some can be killed, but there are also immortal: never look at the Hovering Death!

Two attempts are given for passing of each level. In case of the second failure it is necessary to pass the previous level anew.

At any moment of game it is possible to look at the map of level, having pressed a map key.
All objects in the map, including enemies, are shown as dots. The blinking dot shows the player's position. Orientation can be determined by a compass: top of the map is the North.

Exit is also marked on the map, if it exists.
Game process stops during display of the map, therefore the map can be used as a pause.


Game indicators
===============

Health - the main indicator; total loss of health leads to death at the current level.

Armors - while they exist, the expense of health occurs not so intensively.

Ammo (bullets) - if they are present, the hero uses firearms instead of a trident.

The maximum value of each of these indicators is 99.
Each level begins with value of armor and health of 80 units. Bullets remain from the previous level.

To the right of a game window collected keys are displayed, and at the last level - also destroyed eggs.


Collected objects
=================

Green boxes with a yellow cover: 50 bullets.

Bright yellow boxes: armor, 50 units.

Heart: health, 50 units.

Keys of two colors, light-blue and white - for the corresponding doors.

Pair keys with the image of a hand - for opening of a yellow door.


Tips
====

Firing on enemies, move back to avoid collision with them. Even when using a trident, there is such distance when the player hits the enemy, and the enemy doesn't hit the player.

It isn't obligatory to contact enemies if there is an opportunity to leave them. This tactics will become the main at the last levels where there are many immortal enemies.


Credits
=======

Oleg Origin: Story, Graphics, Code

All rights reserved
www.olegorigin.org