Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!dali.cs.montana.edu!caen!maize.engin.umich.edu!sheppard
From: sheppard@caen.engin.umich.edu (Ken  Sheppardson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games
Subject: Solarian Hintes (Re: Solarian Help)
Message-ID: <1991Jan4.130819.22725@engin.umich.edu>
Date: 4 Jan 91 13:08:19 GMT
References: <328@oiscola.Columbia.NCR.COM>
Sender: news@engin.umich.edu (CAEN Netnews)
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor
Lines: 65

dbarnhar@oiscola.UUCP (David C. Barnhart II) writes:
>OK.  I've gotten hold of a copy of Solarian II.  Actually, two copies, versions
>1.02 and 1.03.  Seems like a pretty good game, but there are still too many
>things I don't understand about it.

   Although I'm not the author (and I haven't even played that much lately...
   of course 'that much' is relative, you understand) I can tell you what 
   works for me....

>What makes the presents fly away so you can't get them?  How do I prevent this?
>The author seems to imply that I can get EVERY present.  If this is truly so,
>I'd like to know how.  I've watched the behavior, and I still have no clue.
 
   Once they've been dropped you _CANNOT_ fly underneath them. Stay just behind
   or ahead of (whichever seems appropriate) the present and move into it at the
   last possible second.

   I've yet to figure out how to catch bombs or the 'Crazy Present' that just
   flies around the screen during later rounds. Anyone else have any ideas ?

>What behavior causes the Pentagons and other nasties to drop on you?  It seems
>as if I can USUALLY cause it to happen by lining up with them to shoot them,
>but I can't figure out exactly what makes them come.

   Ditto. The only think I know for sure is the Squiglies/Spermazoids will
   drop if you sit under them. They seem to be the easiest to hit, however,
   as all you need to do is sit in one place and fire.

   Remember that when the Pentagons reach the bottom of the screen, they
   will turn to the side you were on when they started to fall. i.e., if you're
   on the left side of the screen when a Pentagon in the center starts to
   fall you can pass underneath the Pentagon to the right side of the screen
   and the Pentagon will still turn left. 

>How on earth do you shoot all the bonus targets on the second type of challenge
>round?  No matter what I try, I never even come close.  If there is a special
>trick to this one, I would appreciate knowing it.

   Here's my routine (I too would like to know if there's a better one) :

   You need to get over to the right side of the screen just a you finish
   the screen preceeding the challenge round so that you'll be at the right
   side when the first row of of circles comes in from the right. Follow
   along to the left until the row from the left comes along, then follow
   along to the right. Each row of blue triangles can be taken out by
   following along as they come in from the sides. Get back to the middle
   for the two rows of bugs coming in from the bottom of the screen.
  
  (I've never been able to do better than 40 or so out of 44 using this
   technique, however)

   I've yet to figure out the third 'type' of challenge round. Anyone out 
   there who has ?

   Those of you who haven't seen it yet are in for a real treat...ack

   Remember...your mileage may vary...


--
===============================================================================
 Ken Sheppardson                                  Email: kcs@sso.larc.nasa.gov
 Space Station Freedom Advanced Programs Office   Phone: (804) 864-7544
 NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton VA         FAX:   (804) 864-1975
===============================================================================