Archon Ultra is a long awaited title to a lot of computer gaming old timers. The new version features some better innovations of Archon II while sticking to the general game play of Archon I. While featuring modem play and other options like map auto-zooming and true flight, this is sure to better than the originals. The game is fairly simple to grasp as far as the rules are concerned but many little nuances exist making this a game that is continuously challenging and replayable. Add a second player preferably with 2 Gravis game pads and this game takes on a whole new dimension. Lorus GENERAL RULES The game consists of the sides of Light and Dark which are competing for in the final battle of domination. The game board is near identical to a chess board but the dimensions are 9x9 instead of 8x8 and the pieces are set up and move differently than in chess as well as being completely unique characters as well. Certain squares on the game board continuously change color from light to dark and then back from dark to light. This cycle is a very important fundamental part of the game. If you control the side of light, your pieces are stronger on white squares whereas the dark side playing pieces are stronger on the black squares. The increase in strength manifests itself as more hit points (represented by a bar during battle) and stronger offensive/defensive power. Also on the board are 5 stars which represent "Power Points". These points will heal pieces a little bit each turn that the piece remains on the power point. Most spells will not work when cast at a power point or a piece on a power point. Players take turns moving their pieces in a strategic manner. When two pieces of opposing sides end up on the same square, a battle ensues. Unlike Chess, the battle is not predetermined, this is true arcade combat resolution. Anyone can actually win the battle. Just because your piece "takes" another piece on the board does not mean you actually take the piece. You must win the battle first. Remember that all damage is permanent to a piece unless it is healed. The first side to either totally destroy all opposing pieces OR control all five power points by placing pieces on them, wins the game. MOVEMENT Moving a piece in Archon Ultra is very simple. Position the cursor over the piece you wish to move and then push button 1 on the joystick (or it's keyboard equivalent) and then position the cursor where you wish to move to and then push button 1 again to move the piece. If a piece from the opposing side occupies the destination of movement, then combat will ensue. Ground - Ground movement means that a piece cannot move through another and must have a clear path to advance. Fly - Flying means a piece can fly over another piece and may advance anywhere within it's movement radius. Teleport - This is the same as fly but it's restricted to the Wizard and the Sorcerer. SPELLS To cast a spell, position the cursor over the Wizard or the Sorcerer. Then push button 1 and then push button 1 again. This will bring up the spell menu that can be cycled through by pushing up and down on the joystick or using the appropriate up and down keys on the keyboard. Some spells can only be used one time per game so use them wisely. Casting a spell takes the place of moving a piece. In other words, by casting a spell, you are making the choice not to move a piece that turn. A full explanation of each spell is presented below: Teleport - This allows you to teleport any piece on the board to any other place on the board besides power points. Most spells don not work on power points and this is one of those spells. You can only use this spell once per game. Heal - Since damage is remembered and tracked between battles, healing a piece is sometimes a wise move. Just activate the spell and then choose which piece you wish to heal and push button 1. Shift Time - This spell will allow the reversal of the color cycle of the board squares. This is a good spell to cast when you are needing to prevent the board squares from changing to your opponents color. For example, you cast imprison on a piece, the square that piece is on is about to change to the color of it's side (Black or White) which would release the piece from it's prison. By casting Shift Time, you would reverse the cycle of color shifting so that the piece would be imprisoned up to twice as long as normal. Exchange - This spell is similar to teleport excepts that you exchange squares with another piece. Again this is a spell that does not work on Power Points. You can only use this spell once per game. Revive - This allows a side to resurrect a "dead" piece. This spell only works one time per game so use it wisely. Imprison - This spell will imprison the target piece in a force field until the color cycle of the board matches the color of the pieces side at which point the piece is released. You can only use this spell once per game. Summon Elemental - This is also a one time use spell. When cast, a elemental is randomly selected from the four Elemental types of Fire, Earth, Air, or Water. After you summon the Elemental, you then can choose any enemy occupied square on the board except one that contains a Power Point. The Elemental will die at the end of the following combat weather or not it is killed in the battle which is why all Elementals have self destruct as their secondary power which allows a last ditch attempt to inflict damage when close to death. You can only use this spell once per game. Cease Conjuring - This allows the player to cancel spell casting a revert to move mode. COMBAT Combat is resolved in a real-time arcade manner. There is only one objective here, "kill or be killed". Also note that there are various obstacles on the battle screen. Some of these can be affected by various powers like trees being burned by fire. Also on the battlefield are various pitfalls such as lava and swamps. These areas will inflict damage most who enter. These areas can also be used strategically by forcing opponents into them. Individual powers for each playing piece are described in detail under the individual descriptions of each piece. Also if the two combatants get to far away from each other and basically moving of the edges of the screen, the map fill flip to a distant "sky" view to allow both opponents to be seen at the same time on the screen. FORCES OF LIGHT WIZARD - This is the "King" for the forces of Light and takes the kings chess position. This General of Light also can cast spells besides the general functions of moving and fighting. Losing this piece will greatly hamper your chances of winning. Unlike in chess, if this piece is killed then you don't lose the game, you just suffer it's loss. See the SPELLS section to learn how to cast spells and what their effects are. You only have 1 Wizard so guard him well. Movement - The Wizard can teleport on the board up to 3 spaces in any direction on the game board.. Combat Button 1 - Activates a fireball when used in conjunction with a direction on the joystick or keyboard. Hold down button 1 when you attack with the fireball and it will grow in size but unfortunately decrease in attack strength. Button 2 - Activates the teleport feature. You can instantly move about 4-5 inches in the direction pushed on the joystick or keyboard. Good for getting close to attack or avoiding an enemies assault. ARCHER - This piece is placed in front of the position a rook would be in chess along the pawn row. Archers attack with arrows which fly extremely fast towards their target. There are 2 Archers. Movement - The Archer moves on the ground up to 3 spaces Combat Button 1 - Fires a silver arrow. The arrow flies straight in the direction the joystick is pressed. Button 2 - Fires a gold arrow which is more accurate and deadly in the direction indicated by the joystick. KNIGHT - The Knight is the true "pawn" in this game. The Knight fights at close range in melee style and is usually used to weaken stronger opponents and draw enemy pieces into attacks by stronger pieces. The Knights are positioned in the standard chess pawn row. There are a total of 7 Knights. Movement - The Knight moves on the ground up to 3 spaces. Combat Button 1 - This will make the Knight strike with his sword in the direction the joystick is pressed. Button 2 - This raises the Knight's shield for defense in the direction the joystick is pressed. VALKYRIE - The Valkyrie is a spear throwing female warrior of considerable strength. It is positioned in the "rook" position on the game board. There are 2 Valkyries. Movement - The Valkyrie moves on the ground up to 3 spaces. Combat Button 1 - This will cause the valkyrie to throw a spear in the direction the joystick is pressed. By holding down the button while the spear is in flight, you can increase the range the spear is thrown. The downside of this unlimited range is that you must remain stationary for the length of time you hold button 1 down. This will allow the player time to position and counter attack. Button 2 - By pressing button 2 and then a direction on the joystick, you can cast a field of lightning. The lightning will appear 1-2 inches from the Valkyrie in the direction indicated on the joystick. Attempt to get near your opponent when using this attack. GOLEM - The golem is a brawny character. It is positioned the chess position the Knight would normally be located. There are 2 Golems. Movement - The Golem moves along the ground up to 3 squares. Combat Button 1 - This will make the Golem throw a boulder in the direction indicated by the joystick. If you hold button 1 down, the boulder will continue to fly until you let off of the button. When you release button 1, the boulder will fragment increasing your chance to hit an opponent but will not do as much damage as an unfragmented boulder on a direct hit. Button 2 - This will make the Golem solidify or de-animate. This is used to defend against an attack by an enemy piece. The longer the button is healed the longer you will be "solid". UNICORN - The unicorn is a fast piece in combat. It is positioned in the standard chess "Bishop's" square. There are 2 Unicorns. Movement - The Unicorn moves on the ground up to 4 squares. Combat Button 1 - This will make the Unicorn fire magic bolts from the single horn on it's head. This is a rapid fire attack. If you hold button 1 down, you will get a longer "stream" of magic bolts. Button 2 - This will cause the Unicorn to '"leap" in the direction indicated by the joystick. This is a close range attack and should be used with caution. GENIE - The Genie is literally the left hand man of the Wizard being positioned on the left hand side of the Wizard. Please note there is only 1 Genie in the game. Movement - The Genie can fly up to 4 squares. Combat Button 1 - This will fire a power orb in the direction indicated by the joystick. Button 2 - This is a defensive power which causes the Genie to "shrink". This makes the Genie hared to hit. You can stay shrunk as long as you hold down the button. You may move while shrunk by moving the joystick. PHEONIX - This is literally the Wizard's right hand man being positioned on the Wizard's right. Please note that there is only 1 Pheonix in the game. The Pheonix and the Shapeshifter are the farthest reaching pieces on the game board. Not only does the Pheonix fly on the game board, but it also literally flies in combat! Movement - The Pheonix can fly up to 5 spaces! Combat Button 1 - This will cause the Pheonix to "dive" in the direction indicated on the joystick and then explode in a burst of flames. An opponent must be in the fire to be damaged. Button 2 - This will eject a "homing feather" from the Pheonix. This feather will chase down an opponent and inflict minimal damage. FORCES OF DARKNESS SORCERESS - This is the "King" of the Dark Forces. The Sorceress has all the powers and abilities of the Wizard on the game board but has unique combat abilities. Again, if you lose this piece all is not lost, you can still win the game. Note there is only 1 Sorceress in the game. Movement - The Sorceress teleports up to 3 squares. Combat Button 1 - This will cause the Sorceress to fire a "stream" of lightning in the direction indicated on the joystick. The longer button 1 is held, the longer the stream of lightning. Button 2 - This causes the Sorceress to teleport 8-12 inches in the direction indicated by the joystick. Note that this is substantially farther than the Wizard. MANTICORE - Located on the pawn row in front of the rooks position or in front of the Banshee. Note there are 2 Manticores. Movement - The Manticore moves along the ground 3 squares. Combat Button 1 - By pressing button 1 and indicating a direction on the joystick, the Manticore will fire it's tail spikes. Button 2 - By indicating a direction on the joystick and pressing button 2, the Manticore will release a buffeting "roar". This roar will displace the opponent as well as causing damage. This attack is used at close range. GOBLIN - The Goblins are the true pawns of the Dark Forces. They are positioned in the pawn row of the Dark side. There are 7 Goblins. Movement - The Goblins move along the ground up to 3 squares. Combat Button 1 - This will swing a club in the direction the joystick is pressed. You must be positioned extremely close to the enemy to score a hit. Button 2 - This will cause the Goblin to "duck" under an opponents attack. BANSHEE - The Banshee is positioned in the standard chess rook position. There are 2 Banshees. Movement - The Banshee can fly up to 3 squares. Combat Button 1 - The Banshees main attack is the life draining aura attack. This attack must be initiated at extremely close range. The opponent must be caught in the concentric rings emanating from the Banshee. Button 2 - This will cause a "skull" to roll in the direction indicated by the joystick. The skull will roll towards an opponent and "attach" itself to the enemy. The enemy is now hindered and slowed. More skulls increase this effect. TROLL - Trolls are the brawny scrappers of the Dark Side. They are positioned similar to the "Knights" position in chess. There are 2 Trolls. Movement - The Trolls move up to 3 squares along the ground. Combat Button 1 - This commands the Troll to throw a boulder in the direction indicated by the joystick. The boulder attack by the troll does not have the fragmenting feature that the Golem's boulder attack does but it does considerably more damage on a direct hit. Button 2 - This is an evasive tactic which makes the Troll jump. Use this to defend against an attack. BASILISK - The Basilisk is a serpentine piece. It is positioned similar to a Bishop in Chess. There are 2 Basilisks. Movement - The Basilisk moves along the ground up to 3 squares. Combat Button 1 - This causes the Basilisk to use it's spitting attack. The Basilisk will spit in the direction indicated by the joystick. Button 2 - This will cause the Basilisk to breathe a petrifying cloud that causes damage to the opponent but does not "freeze" the enemy. The farther away the cloud gets, the larger it grows and the weaker it's potency. SHAPESHIFTER - The Shapeshifter is the right hand man of the Sorceress being positioned on the right hand side of the Sorceress. The Shapeshifter is a Doppleganger meaning it immediately assumes the form of the opponent in combat. A good strategy to take this piece out is to fight it with the piece you are best at using and that fight well against each other. Movement - The Shapeshifter can fly up to 5 squares! Combat Button 1 - This is identical to the opponents attack. Button 2 - This is identical to the opponents attack. DRAGON - This is literally the Sorceress' left hand man being positioned on the left hand side of the Sorceress. There is only 1 Dragon. The Dragon not only flies on the game board but it literally flies in combat! Movement - The Dragon flies up to 4 squares! Combat Button 1 - This will fire a stream of fire in the direction indicated by the joystick. The longer button 1 is held, the longer the stream of fire will be. Button 2 - This will cause the Dragon to emit a poison cloud in the direction the joystick is pressed. This is very similar to the petrifying breath from the Basilisk but causes more damage and has slightly better range. ELEMENTALS - ALL Elementals move instantly to a square of a chosen opponent and will fight that opponent. It will then die when combat is resolved weather it wins or loses that combat. Note only 1 Elemental can be summoned per game and that Elemental is randomly selected from the four elemental plains of FIRE, WATER, AIR, and EARTH. FIRE - Summoned from the elemental plane of fire. Combat Button 1 - This will inflame the Elemental and allow it to quickly chase an opponent and inflict damage when the enemy is in very close range (basically on top of the enemy). The longer the button is held the longer the attack mode lasts. Button 2 - This causes the Fire Elemental to self destruct in one final fury. Any enemy in the damage radius will be affected. WATER - Summoned from the elemental plane of water. Combat Button 1 - This will the Water Elemental to chase down an opponent inflicting water damage. The longer the button is held, the longer the attack mode lasts. Button 2 - This is a final self destructive attack on an opponent. You must be very near the enemy to inflict damage. AIR - Summoned from the elemental plane of air. Combat Button 1 - This allows the Air Elemental to chase down an enemy and inflict buffeting damage. The longer the button is held, the longer the attack mode lasts. Button 2 - This is a final self destruct which causes massive damage to the enemy if very near. EARTH - Summoned from the elemental plane of earth. Combat Button 1 - This allows the Earth Elemental to roll into a ball and chase down the enemy. The longer the button is held, the longer the attack mode lasts. Button 2 - This is a last ditch attack that destroys the Earth Elemental after it's initiation. This attack inflicts massive damage to an enemy if the enemy is very close. -------------------------------------------------------------------- KEY COMMAND -------------------------------------------------------------------- PLAYER 1 E - UP F - RIGHT D - DOWN S - LEFT SPACE - Keyboard equivalent to Button 1 B - Keyboard equivalent to Button 2 PLAYER 2 ARROWS - UP, RIGHT, DOWN, LEFT. (Either on the cursor arrows or the number pad.) 0 - Equivalent to Button 1 (Must use "0" on number keypad).) ./DEL - Equivalent to Button 2 (Must use ./DEL on number keypad) MISC ESC - Bring up the quit game option (use F9 to exit game). ALT - Brings up the menu bar selections (can also use Button 2) SPACE - Make a menu selection (can also use button 1) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------|- This would be a GREAT game to buy! -|---------------- GREETS: TRC, MARAUDER, BUBBLE MAN, DREAM WEAVER, THE CHAIRMAN, BLACK LIGHT, DARK LIGHT, CHESS KiNG, CADMASTER, SPOOGE, WHITE VIPER, DoNG SiLVER, JACKAL, and everyone else I forgot. GROUP GREETS: RaZoR's FiNeST, TDT, THG, PTG, TRSI DOCS BY, -=LORUS=-