THE SPECTRUM GAMES DATABASE ALIEN8 PUBLISHER Ultimate Play The Game (ACG) AUTHORS Chris and Tim Stamper YEAR OF RELEASE April 1985 DESCRIPTION Graphics-wise Alien8 is Knightlore set in a spaceship. In this game however you are a little robot, "Alien 8" who's job it is to make sure ALL cryonaughts remain active during the ship's voyage. INSTRUCTIONS Explore the spaceship, collect any objects you come across and place these objects into the correct socket. Sockets flash/sparkle with the object (thermolec valves) they require. ALL valves must be in place before the time runs out. CONTROLS ALIEN 8 CONTROLLING YOUR ROBOT KEYBOARD CONTROLS LEFT Alien 8 will turn left using the Z, C, B and M keys. RIGHT Alien 8 will turn right using the X, V, N and SYMBOL SHIFT keys. MOVE FORWARD Alien 8 will move forward using any key on the second row, A, S, D, F, etc. JUMP Alien 8 will jump using any key on the third row Q, W, E, R etc. PICK UP/DROP Alien 8 can pick up or drop any object using the 1-0 keys. PAUSE The whole game can be paused by using the CAPS SHIFT or SPACE/BREAK keys. JOYSTICK CONTROLS Alien 8 can be fully controlled by using the KEMPSTON INTERFACE, CURSOR INTERFACE II and joystick, be replacing the LEFT, RIGHT, FORWARD, JUMP and PICK UP/DROP commands. CHEATS SEQUALS/PREQUALS: In game style Alien8 was the sequal to Knightlore. In actual games released by Ultimate, Alien8 was the sequal to Knightlore and Underwurlde which were released in December 1984. INLAY CARD TEXT THE PLANET Long long ago...in a distant galaxy, on a distant dying planet, the last of the guardians prepare their starship for its final journey. All of the libraries, records and knowledge have been stored aboard the vessel, along with the very best of their cryogenically preserved race. The planet's final end draws near as the last, most vital piece of equipment is loaded aboard, activated, and the hatchways closed. The ULTIMATE evolution ALIEN8 cybot whirrs into an artificial cybernetic rush of intelligence. All hatchways are sealed, as the starship prepares for its long uniterrupted journey into the inky void of space. THE JOURNEY Aeons pass and still the ALIEN 8 unit is functioning perfectly, gliding swiftly and silently around on multi-sealed-thermotion bearings in waxolight shrouds. The very pinnacle of robotic development from a now long dead planet, on its immense task of keeping the cryogenically immersed cryonaughts activated by preserving and maintaining their life support systems and waiting... The long journey is near completion as the central computer alerts you to the nearing of the pre-destined solar system. The dust of aeons lies heavy on the ageing data banks of the central computing core, tired from centuries of repetitive computing and re-computing, at last the final sequential landing operations. The craft begins its final slowing sequence several hundred light years from the destined planet and as, almost immediately the starship slows to sub-hyper warp speeds, is open to attack. All the starship main defence systems have remained unactivated, as the reverse polarity negative-ion thrusters battle and strain to halt the enormous bulk of the ship. The main computer reports Alien penetration in almost all areas of the ship and all life support systems have become damaged and deactivated. All cryogenic systems must be reactivated before auto-phase thrusting systems manoeuvre the ship into its semi-cycle planetary orbit, at 0 light years from the planet. Your programming insists that you complete the mission and restore all cryogenic life support systems to operation. INSTRUCTION MANUAL The Starship A. The starship is at risk to Alien intrusion at lower than hyper-warp speeds. As lesser beings have not yet developed the mental ability to contemplate travel at this speed, hyper-warp is relatively safe and untroubled. Once the starship's speed falls below hyper-warp speed, upon its approach, at several hundred light years from the planet, it will become vulnerable to attack and Alien intrusion. B. Once the starship has slowed down into sub- hyper-warp speeds, and enters semi-cyle orbit the ship will not have enough fuel to enable a recovery to be made. C. The starship is equipped with indestructable multi-control directional robodroids. Alien8 Programming A. All cryonaughts must remain activated. B. Locate and recover all thermolec valves and ALIEN8 replacement packs. C. Ensure all thermolec valves are in the correct sockets, to ensure continuing activation. D. Locate and activate all cryogenic chambers. E. All cryonaughts must remain activated prior to the planet being reached, for them to effect the final landing sequence. F. You have been issued with 5 initial replacement packs, other packs may be located throughout the starship. These will prolong your existence upon damage by collisions etc. FAILURE TO COMPLETE ANY OF THE ABOVE WILL MEAN: THAT YOU HAVE NOT FULFILLED YOUR PROGRAMMING, AND THAT YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO RE-PROGRAMMING, SHOULD YOU FAIL TO FULFIL YOUR PROGRAMMING THEN THE SHIP AND ALL CRYONAUGHTS ALIEN 8 FEATURES ---------------- ALIEN 8 features filmation (C) a unique process whereby you have complete freedom within the confines of your imagination to do as you wish with any of the items found within ALIEN 8. Filmation (C) 3 Dimensional Movement Alien 8 Moving Floorways Traps Different Levels Cryogenic Immersion Extra Lives Tests Balconies Obstacles Storage Chambers 3D Scenario Life Support Systems Monsters Cryogenic Chambers Podules Cryonaughts Space Craft Hidden Circuits Corridors Superb Graphics Blocks Amazing Animation Plungers Keyboard/Joystick Select Obelisks Materializations Stairways Multi Lives Portals Rotational/Direct Joystick Select Jump Button Alien Eggs Continuous Pause Egg Shells Collection Feature Life Support Valves Control Panel Life Support Sockets Light Yearometer Alien Guards Life Support Activation Plasmic Ushers Status Display Suberb Sound Dissappearing Corridors Computer Recommendations Trap Doors Re-Programming Sequence Rising Balconies Aliens Slides SCORES/REVIEWS Crash, Issue: 15, Page: 16, Percentage: 95% YS, 9/10. SNAPSHOTS/URLS FACTS ABOUT GAME The second Ultimate game to use their patented "Filmation" feature which enabled the user to explore a realistic (at the time!) 3D environment. The Stampers said in a long forgotten interview that "Other people were copying our 3D game style so we though we may as well do another using a slightly updated game engine". NOTES Alien 8 features a very amusing "Re-programing" animation!