H.E.R.O. - Helicopter Emergency Rescue
Original title: Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation
Platform: Commodore 64
Region: pal
Controller: joy
Genre: Action, Puzzle
Gametype: Undefined
Release Year: 1984
Developer: Activision
Publisher: Activision
Players: 1
Programmer: John van Ryzin
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The hardworking miners of "Mount Leone" have been locked in the lower pits of the cave system through sudden volcanic activities. 
 Our hero "Roderrick Hero" now starts for the search of the missing persons with his special equipment (backpack helicopter, integrated helmet laser and dynamite).
 After a successful rescue you reach the next level. 

 The enemies 

In the pits lurk different creatures such as spiders, bats, poisonous moths or snakes. To remove the vermin, you should use the laser. At some rivers, an invincible, hungry sea monster appears that constantly follows our hero. Some walls that contain magma sediments glow red and mustn't be touched. 

 The dynamite 

The pits spread far vertically and horizontally into the interior of the mountain. Sometimes walls, which you need to blow away with dynamite, block the way. At the beginning of every level, the player gets 6 bars of dynamite. After the ignition Rod must move away fast or else he will lose a life. 

 The raft 

A heat resistent raft can be used at some places to cross the lava river. 

 The lanterns 

Lanterns light the dark pits. A shot or a touch is enough and the light goes out forever. 

 Energy display (Power) 

The energy is filled up at the start of every level. When the full energy is used up, the player loses a life and starts again at the beginning of the level without filling up the dynamite supply. 

 Design 
 multi-coloured 2D graphics 
 single screens, which are switched when crossing the screen frames 
 simple sound effects, but no background music 
 The number of lives is displayed by small hero icons in the lower left area. In the lower right the current number of points is shown. 
 20 levels, after that the PRO mode starts, where 13 to 20 level are repeatet again and again 

 Hints 

Menu 
 Start the game: F1  and then move the joystick or press fire button 
 Setable starting level: 1, 5, 9, 13 or 17 (pro) with F3  
 Pause: Run-Stop  
 Restart of the game with Run-Stop +Restore  

Controls on the ground 
 Joystick left/right = walking left/right 
 Joystick upwards = go upwards 
 Joystick downwards = ignite dynamite bar 
 Fire button = laser beam in direction of sight 

Controls in the air 
 Joystick left/right = flying movement left/right 
 Joystick in resting position = go downwards 
 Joystick upwards (short) = hover 
 Joystick upwards (long) = hover, then go upwards 
 Fire button = laser beam in direction of sight 

 Lives 
 you start with 4 lives 
 every 20.000 points there is an extra life 
 as a maximum 7 lives can be reached 

 Table of points 50 	shooting a cave animal 
50 	for every dynamite bar that is left at the end of the level 
75 	removing a wall 
1000 	rescue a miner 
variable 	energy left after the rescue 

 At 1.000.000 the points jump to "!!!!!!!" 

 Solution 

Tips 
 If you run the risk of running into a glowing wall after igniting a dynamite bar, you can use the laser to evaporate the wall. This method is safer, but also more time consuming (about 10 seconds). 

 Cheats 
 For training you best use the version by Remember. Here several training modes are available (unlimited lives, unlimited dynamite, unlinimited energy, level jumps, and more). (Hints 09.04.2004, Sledgie) 

POKE 14652,25

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Description from the packaging:

Trouble in the tunnels!
Zap crazed creatures!
Desperate miners trapped! Will these tunnels be their tombs? Rod Hero is their last hope! His prop-pack powers him into the mine shafts- and peril!
Demolish dead-ends with dynamite!
Lethal challenges on all sides- vile vermin...bubbling lava rivers...molten magma deposits...trailing tentacles...crushing walls!
Time eats away at power and ammo! Make your move!
