            Highlander
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            Copyright/Publisher: Ocean, Release Year: 1986
            Genre: Fighting Sports, Number Of Players: 1 or 2
                  Introduction
                  There can be only one Victor in this timeless battle. Become a 
                  master swordsman or perish as your foes grow more skillful and 
                  you finally encounter the might Kurgen in this contest for 
                  immortality. 
                  The Game
                  Battle through time, develop the skills of sword play and 
                  learn from Ramirez, your first opponent, the arts of defence 
                  and attack, timing and position. When you have defeated him 
                  move in time to the present and encounter Fizir, an ancient 
                  and more skillful opponent in modern day New York. Here you 
                  must hone your skills and sharpen your reactions for upon his 
                  demise you reach the final battle with the mighty Kurgen. High 
                  above the city streets on a deserted rooftop the last act of 
                  this deadly quest is fought. A dual which can only be won by 
                  supreme exponant. 
                  Energy
                  Energy is the key to the game - when it runs out you're dead! 
                  it is expended when you recieve a blow or when you are 
                  unsuccessful in attack - So you win by a combination of 
                  skillful attacking and prudent defence. As you learn the 
                  different attack sequences you will develop the strategy which 
                  enables both objectives to be achieved. The energy is 
                  recharged at a constant rate but recovery is slower than 
                  depletion so keep a watchful eye on the level and if it 
                  reaches the red band back off quickly and defend until your 
                  strength builds up for another attack. 
                  Sound
                  Sound Identify the different sounds made by your sword and 
                  your opponents landing a successful attack and contrast these 
                  with the sound of a defence. This is best achieved in 
                  demo-mode and will be a great help to skillful play. 
                  Vary Attacks
                  Mix your attacks and defences; using the same sequence each 
                  time allows your opponent to pick a winning response (this is 
                  especially true in playing against the computer). The cut-down 
                  blow to the head can prove devastating and win the duel 
                  outright but successfully defended can knock you down and be 
                  equally damaging to the attacker so try to achieve the element 
                  of surprise. 
                  Position
                  Always fight away from the edges of the playfield for as you 
                  become pinned down against the sides it is impossible to 
                  execute some of the strokes and of course backing off for a 
                  "breater" is out! 
                  Range
                  The achieve maximum effectiveness the range of different 
                  strokes must be judged precisely, the "lunge" against the 
                  "cut" is a trade off between effect and risk, skill in making 
                  accurate assessment being vital to success. 
                  Stages
                  There are three main stages in the game, where skills acquired 
                  in completion are necessary to have any chance with the next 
                  opponent. Each stage is loaded in memory separately (see 
                  important note) but the increasing difficulty has been chosen 
                  to enhance your ability at each level. 
                  The strategy required to complete each stage is different, 
                  even if you have become expert by defeating Ramirez and Fizir 
                  the mighty Kurgen cannot be beaten by strength alone, strategy 
                  must be employed to turn his power against himself. Swordplay 
                  is a balance of risk and reward, a co-ordination of the senses 
                  of sound and vision, to triumph you must be brave... and 
                  careful! 
                  Status
                  Your status and that of your opponent are energy bars at the 
                  bottom of the screen. Each bar is divided into three segments.
                  Green - Plenty of energy, attack at will.
                  Yellow - Some vitality has been lost. Proceed with caution.
                  Red - Reserves dangerously low. Take a breater or run away to 
                  battle again later. 
                  Controls
                  The control of your player and the development of swordplaying 
                  skill is crucial to the enjoyment of the game. It is 
                  worthwhile watching the demo mode and then practicing the 
                  moves against Ramirez (stage 1) in order to put together 
                  attack sequences and defence strategies. The instructions may 
                  seem complicated at first but it will soon be apparent that 
                  the sophistication of movement gives animation of the highest 
                  order and provides stimulating and exciting play. 
                  JOYSTICK - while kneeling - button not pressed
                  [UP] - Stand 
                  JOYSTICK - while kneeling - button pressed
                  [UP] - Defend Head
                  [UP + RIGHT] - Cut Body
                  [RIGHT] - Thrust Body
                  [RIGHT + DOWN] - Thrust Legs
                  [DOWN] - Defend Feet
                  [LEFT] - Defend Neck 
                  JOYSTICK - while standing - button not pressed
                  [LEFT] - Walk Back
                  [RIGHT] - Walk Forward
                  [DOWN] - Kneel 
                  JOYSTICK - while standing - button pressed
                  [UP] - Cut Down
                  [UP + RIGHT] - Cut At Neck
                  [RIGHT] - Cut At Body
                  [RIGHT + DOWN] - Thrust At Neck
                  [DOWN] - Thrust At Body
                  [DOWN + LEFT] - Thrust At Feet
                  [LEFT] - Defend Body
                  [LEFT + UP] - Defend Head

                  Important Note
                  Highlander has three difficuly levels, which have to be loaded 
                  independently. This means that there are three different parts 
                  to be loaded. 
                  Credits
                  Produced by D.C. Ward (c) 1986 Ocean Software Limited 
                  (c) Highlander Productions Limited MCMLXXXVI. All rights 
                  reserved. 
                  TM - Trademark owned by THORN EMI Screen Entertainment Ltd., 
                  and used by Ocean Software Ltd., under authorisation. 
                  Movie and Media Marketing Ltd., Liscensing Agents. 


