The Double 3D Extravaganza of October

Now that October has properly started I am proposing another Amiga
gaming
expedition - this time with two heavyweight 3D champions of the past. 

 First one is a game called Interphase - designed by Imageworks and 
published by Mirrorsoft. It is a completely original concept which mixes
3D 
action with logical puzzles. The mission is to guide your mate through
12 floors
of a high secure building. Player does not control this character
directly - 
instead  he has to log himself onto the building computer security
system 
and remove all the obstacles and dangerous stuff that could harm his
mate. 

If this sounds too complex, fear not - there are just few basic things
to learn -
how to navigate in cyberspace, how to fight without destroying the vital

objects and how to use tractor beam to move objects. The hard part is
figuring 
out the right strategy, and this is what lifts this game above the
ordinary 3D
shooting games. 

To accompany Interphase there is another 3D masterpiece to discover.
Angus
has been praising this game a long time and I feel it is about time to
play it 
properly. For the uninitated it is a game where player is given a
futuristic 
aircraft carrier and a mission to conquer a archipelago of islands. To
make 
things a bit more difficult player has to face the forces of another
aircraft 
carrier and ultimately destroy it in final battle. 

I remember trying out Carrier Command long time ago and finding it a 
bit difficult to master. Now I am ready to try it again and invite all 
interested to join the quest. I am looking forward to playing it and
learning 
from the CC veterans. In return, I can offer help and advice with
Interphase
(I am currenty on the ninth level of that game)   :)

If you don't own the games - at least Carrier Command is available
through
recently re-opened Back2Roots site. Interphase was given away on a Amiga
Format coverdisk long time ago, so it might be possible to locate it
somehow. 
But if you do own the game and are willing to participate and discuss
about 
these games here in c.s.a.g - game on!  :)

To kick off the thread, here's some tips to get things going in
Interphase:

When you enter the first level, first thing to check is the map. From
there
you can see if there is a immeadiate danger threatening your partner -
like 
high voltage pads on floor or security cameras (or pressure pads) that 
trigger the security droids. Your partner stops on door and crossings
and 
asks your advices through a message channel. Before allowing her to 
continue you have to carefully inspect the map (which is effectively the
blueprint of the floor). If there is a for example a sec cam on route of
your 
partner you have find its counterpart in cyberspace and destroy it. You
can use the navcom to lock into the object on the map which makes 
finding it much easier. 

The cyberspace consists of floors through which you can fly and reach
the target object. Once in the right floor engage the enemies there with
missiles - this way you won't destroy anything vital (remember not all 
objects are to be destroyed!) which might effectively cause the mission
to
fail. 

There is lots of things to learn - tractor beam being one of the most
useful 
ones. It can be used to tow things and can be a useful asset also in 
combat. Speaking of combat - try to destroy the enemies from a distance 
so that they cannot shoot you. Close combat wears off valuable energy. 
Watch out those energy levels - if you run out of energy (or your
partner 
dies) it is game over. 

Finally, don't rush into things. Clear the floor from enemies before 
consulting with map so that nobody attacks you while you plan the 
strategy. Move your partner carefully around the level - hurrying 
things usually ends up her meeting her death in the hands of security 
droid. 

Now, hopefully somebody can write a similar beginner's guide regarding 
the Carrier Command  :)

     Bye,

       Seppo