Starpost
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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GAME DESCRIPTION 

You are the lone defender of a starshlp outpost in a 
remote sector ot our galaxy. Three-dimensional invaders 
tumble and plunge toward the outpost attempting to 
destroy you. Your mission is to defend the base against 
the invaders as they attack from 8 channels on both 
sides of the Star Post. You must also defend against a 
Superalien which disrupts your viewscreen as It spirals 
its way toward your Star Post. There are 3 different game 
versions: Beginner, Advanced and Hyper. You must 
maneuver your laser cannon in a circular or back-and- 

forth motion while firing on aliens. In addition, your out- 
post is equipped with a special SuperZap laser which 
eliminates all aliens currently on your viewscreen. Super- 
Zap are added at the rate of 1 per level, and unused Zaps 

are stored for later use. Your Star Post can withstand on- 
ly 7 alien hits per level of play. Each new level resets the 
number of hits to 0, but 8 hits in any one round destroys 
your Star Post. 

BEGINNER VERSION 

In the Beginner version the object is to develop your fir- 
ing and coordination skills. Beginner has 8 levels of play. 
This game starts at standard speed and has automatic 
firing. The number of alien objects approaching your Star 
Post begins with 2 and increases to a maximum of 8. 
Aliens increase their speed gradually for each higher 
level of play, while your defending time is increased by 
10 seconds per level. 

ADVANCED VERSION 

In the Advanced (normal) version the game starts at nor- 
mal speed but there is no automatic firing. Each object 
must be zapped individually. The advanced version has 
99 levels of play. The number of alien objects attacking 
your outpost begins with 2 and increases to a maximum 
of 16. The number of aliens and the speed of those aliens 
increases with each consecutive level of play. Your game 
playing time increases at a rate of 10 seconds per level. 

HYPER VERSION 

The Hyper version is designed for advanced players. It 
features a very fast rale of speed for the aliens, which 
gets faster as you complete each round. The Hyper Ver- 
sion has automatic firing and 99 levels of play. Like the 
Advanced version, attacking aliens appear on your 
screen 2 at a time, and Increase to 16. For each level suc- 
cessfully defended you will have 10 seconds of time add- 
ed to your next level of play. 

CONTROLS 

STAR POST is designed to be used with the JOYSTICK, 
PADDLE, or KEYBOARD. Plug your joystick or paddle in- 
to CONTROL PORT-1, or simply use the keyboard. Pad- 
dles are recommended. 

MOVEMENT 

JOYSTICK 

Push the joystick to the RIGHT to rotate your laser 
cannon in a CLOCKWISE direction. Push the joystick to 
the LEFT to rotate your laser cannon in a COUNTER- 
CLOCKWISE direction. To use the SuperZap laser pull the 
joystick toward you. 

PADDLE 

Turn your paddle CLOCKWISE to rotate your laser can- 
non CLOCKWISE. Turn your paddle COUNTER- 
CLOCKWISE :o rotate your laser cannon COUNTER- 
CLOCKWISE. Hit ANY KEY to use the SuperZap. 

KEYBOARD 

Press the letter K key to move your cannon in a 
CLOCKWISE direction. Press the letter L to move your 
cannon in a COUNTER-CLOCKWISE direction. Hit the 
RETURN key to operate the SuperZap. 

FIRE 

There are 3 different fire modes. AUTO FIRE, NON-AUTO 
FIRE and SUPERZAP. AUTO FIRE operates in both the 
Beginner and the Hyper versions. NON-AUTO FIRE must 
be used in the Advanced version. SUPERZAP is available 
in all 3 versions. To use Automatic Firing, hold down the 
fire button on either your joystick or paddle. If you're us- 
ing the keyboard then simply hold down the SPACEBAR. 
Non-Automatic Firing requires that you press the fire 

button or space bar each time you shoot. Use the fire but- 
ton on your paddle or joystick, or the SPACEBAR on the 
keyboard when in the Non-Auto Fire mode. To fire a 
SuperZap, pull DOWN on the joystick while pressing the 
fire button. If you're using a paddle hit ANY key on the 
keyboard. And if you're using the keyboard to play, hit 
the RETURN key. 

SPECIAL KEYS AND FUNCTIONS 
KEY FUNCTION 

F1 Allows you to select PLAY LEVEL 

(press F5) and VERSION (press F7) 
F3 Pauses GAME 

F5 Press to select PLAY LEVEL (1-8) at 

start of game 
F7 Press to select GAME VERSION 

(BEGINNER, ADVANCED, or HYPER) 
RETURN Press for SUPERZAP when using 

keyboard 

DEMO MODE 

If you don't hit a key or the fire button when you turn on 
the STAR POST cartridge, the game goes into DEMO 
MODE. The game screens and the title page will be 
displayed, and your computer will play the game until 
you press a key or the fire button to start the game. 

SCORE VALUES 

Levels 1- 4 100 points per alien 

Levels 5 - 9 200 points per alien 

Levels 10-14 300 points per alien 

Levels 15-19 400 points per alien 

Levels and points continue to increase at the same rate 
to Level 99 

Superalien 2 times the point value of a normal 

alien in any level 

STRATEGY HINTS 

In the versions featuring continuous fire (Beginner and 
Hyper games), constantly holding the fire button {or 
spacebar) down as you rotate your laser cannon is the 
most effective way to use your weapon. In the advanced 
game, you should try to hit the fire button as quickly a 
frequently as possible when rotating, since II is very dif- 
ficult to aim accurately when the laser cannon is in mo- 
tion. 

When the Superalien begins its spiralling attack pattern, 
it is a good idea to turn your attention to gunning It down 
immediately. The best strategy to hit the Superalien is to 
wait in one sector and fire until you catch him passing 
through that sector. 

It is also helpful to save your SuperZaps up to be used 
when you really need them. Some of the more op 
propriate times to use your SuperZaps are when the post 
is about to be overcome by several aliens or when you've 
taken 6 or 7 hits and you're in immediate danger of Iosmh) 
the post.
