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How To
by Matt Slot
How to Manage Mars Rising
OK, you've beaten the first few levels of Mars Rising (or maybe you haven't),
and while you may be pretty good at taking out the buzzsaws, the spinning maces
and neo-Harriers tend to do you in. Here's a few tips that can help you turn
the tables on the enemies, and make Mars safe for democracy again:
- Use pauses in the action to hold the fire key and charge your cannon. Try
to aim it for maximum effect when you do; wait for enemies to line up on
the screen and take out several at once.
- Enemies that make multiple shots tend to cluster them. If you can stay
in the same spot while they target you, the shots will come in a straight
line and are easier to avoid.
- Moving down when your ship is at the bottom of the screen shortens the
crosshairs. This is good for getting any pesky ground targets that may
slip by.
- Be sure to get the ground targets as soon as possible, especially turrets
which fire multiple shots at once. If you can position your crosshairs
while firing at incoming ships, you can even take out both at once.
- Destroying all the ground targets on a level (after the first) releases
bonus points or multipliers. These are a great way to increase your score
and earn extra lives, but don't let them distract you.
- Don't get caught at the bottom of the screen, especially in a corner,
or the maces will follow your ship and pin you. Instead, fly toward
the top of the screen to draw them toward you. If you charge your weapon
on the way up, you can usually sweep back under and destroy them in a
cluster.
- Neo-harriers and other "intelligent" enemies tend to follow your ship,
and even get behind you. Use the Rear Powerup to kill ships both in
front and behind you. Notice that enemy ships can't turn clockwise over
the 12 o'clock position -- sweep left and right quickly to keep them off
balance and unable to shoot.
- If you charge an enemy, you can always back away faster than his shots
move (doubly so if you have the Speed Powerup). It's easy to keep the
screen clean of light enemies by circling toward the bottom of the screen.
- When fighting the large enemies (medium level bosses), be sure to clear
out the smaller enemies as much as possible. Use the break between his
forward shots and rear shots to weave from one side to the other.
- Option-click the "Player 1" or "Player 2" button to specify a level at
which to start. This way you can practice on those levels you find
difficult, or get a sneak peek at the later levels.
With practice, these pointers should help you survive a while longer and improve
your high scores. Of course once you pass level 13, you'll see what we mean when
we say "Nothing Can Prepare You".
Ed. Note:Matt Slot is without question the best Mars Rising player here in PO BOX 23140.
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