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COVER ARTWORK ©US Gold 1996

PRINTED IN UK BY Duncan Webb Offset Ltd.

DISTRIBUTOR

seymour int. press,

Windsor house, 1 270 london road

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ISSN: 1355 9621

.Tho3DOC

n any way For the edilofial

Magazine

Contents

06 News

All the latest news from around the world plus cover disc instructions.

08 Olympic Games

Developers Silicon Dreams show us their summer smash, Olympic Games.

(

Reviews

Olympic Soccer Iron Angel Of The Apocalypse: The Return

1 6 Jap News

Some curios and reviews from Japan, including D's Dinner: The Director's Cut.

1 8 System Codes

Featuring a play guide for D's Dinner plus more Game Guru codes.

Subscriptions

22 27

Brilliant subscription deals with Studio 3DO, plus back issues and offers.

Play Guide

The Daedelus Encounter.

3DO Interactive

Rants and raves from the readers.

Software Directory

Exhaustive mini-reviews.

33 Coming Soon

What to look forward to..

1)3 3DO Magazine/July 96

news

Lucienne's Quest

Obelisk

Olympic Games

Magic Carpet II

E3 '96: 3DO?

□ s predicted last issue, tfie 3DO/M2 presence at E3 could hardly be lower. M2 failed even to make an off-site presentation, whereas 3DO I was limited to four games hidden away on the vast, PC dominated Panasonic stand. Bill Gardner, vice-president of Panasonic Interactive Media, made clear the com- pany was very much a "multi-format" publisher. Six PC titles were on the way, including 3DO conversions Cyberdillo and Lucienne's Quest, as well as Golden Gate and Baldies which were intended for 3DO but have now been dropped, plus Isis which might still arrive.

Nevertheless, Panasonic's 3DO line- up exactly matched the PC one with another six titles. Two of the games, Olympic Summer Games and Olympic Soccer, were licensed from US Gold - Panasonic is a sponsor of the Atlanta Olympics - but four were original.

Cyberdillo has long resided in our Coming Soon section as a Doom send- up, featuring a half armadillo/half cybernetic hero armed with a plunger as he takes on 40 levels and ten types of comic characters. Panasonic promise this should ship any day. Also imminent is Lucienne's Quest, by Micro Cabin in Japan, it was acclaimed by one US mag- azine as the best 32bit game yet. It's a huge RPG with a 20 magical weapons, a fully 3D landscape and four different camera angles to appreciate the visuals. Due in July is Obelisk, a Mysf-type

adventure with high-res pictures and some 28 mind bending puzzles. Your quest takes you through ancient Egypt, Tibet and Mayan worlds, all historically accurate, as well as a space station and the mythical, lost city of Atlantis.

Finally, there's Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 with its 1 9 characters, 2 boss- es, 1 3 backgrounds and a variety of combat modes, including an 8-player tournament mode. This was on show and is due for an August release date.

M2?

While deprived of the spectacular demo's which surrounded M2 at the last E3, Gardener insisted the system was still on track. "We want this to be the absolute best. It's got to have the best performance and the best games. Ifs got to rise above the competition. But to achieve that we need to have more than just the tools available to do it. We've got to have a very clear vision of what this product is and what software will be surrounding it. The investment is there, the technology is there but all that takes time."

Behind the scenes, 3DO responded to claims that the hardware was being redesigned by saying it was always a scalable technology - with a variety of options available to who ever bought it. Currently, Matsushita are considering adding a second PowerPC CPU , dou- bling the clock speed form 66MHz to 1 32MHz and almost certainly increasing the SDRAM from 4MB to an incredible

8MB, ensuring a giant leap over its com- petitors, including N64. The option of including a quad-speed CD-ROM Drive is also being looked at, along with MPEG2 for DVD. Some elements may even be lifted from MX, which is appar- ently not a next-gen system but instead a PC and arcade oriented upgrade, which doubles the M2's performance by upgrading the graphics chipset. Beyond MX, S42 is the title currently attached to the post-64bit system destined for release in three to five years' time.

M2 itself is still set for a Japanese release in the "last quarter of this year" according to Gardner, with a public unveiling due at the September E3 in Japan. One intriguing new idea is that the console might be followed by a hob- byist's development system. Sony has recently announced a $1 ,200 Let's Create hobbyists' devkit for the PlayStation, but even before that 3DO had been trawling internet usergroups for reaction to a cheap, 'garage' devkit for M2. 3DO inventors PJ Mical and Dave Needle's experience with the Amiga has left them with a strong regard for what young coders can accomplish, and many at 3DO have felt frustrated at the restric- tions imposed by the expensive, Mac- based professional devkits currently in use for 3DO I and M2. Moreover, unlike a conventional console, 3DO have been sub-licensed by Matsushita for the rights to release devkits themselves. More news as we get it...

his is the latest list of M2 titles in devel- opment, games in bold are intended to be ready at or near the machine's launch. As with all such lists, a degree of scepti- cism is vital. To those in the know, the breakdown is a fairly believable indication of where M2 devel- opment kits have actually been shipped and the games slated for being produced on them. How much work has actually been carried out is less certain, especially as Matsushita's marketing plans and even tfie final hardware specs remain clouded in mystery. Still, M2's basic spec seems fairly close to the high-end PC graphics cards due to start arriving in late '96, so targeting mouth-watering next gen titles such as Need For Speed 2 for PC and M2 is quite feasible.

There are also a large number of third-party licensees whose game plans are unknown such as Asmik, Cryo, Genki, Glams, Gremlin, Heatsink, High-Tech Lab, Imagineer, Infogrames, Jaleco, Koei, Micro Cabin, Micronet, Pack-In-Video, Sala,

M2 Dream List

Sanai, Takara, Taito, Team 1 7 and Tomy Tose. All in all, it's a highly impressive indication of 3DO and Matsushita's ability to get people onboard with the project despite the startling lack of public razzmatazz.

Adivision: Mechwarr/or //.

ALG: Shining Sword and one untitled game.

Blue Byte: Bailie Isle.

Bullfrog: Magic Carpet II.

Capcom: One game, title unknown. SFIII?

Crystal Dynamics: Race Came, M2 Baseball,

Gex2.

DID: Eurohghter 2000.

Electronic Arts: Madden '98, Need For Speed 2,

NHL Hockey '97, Road Rash.

id: Quake.

Interplay: Clayfighter 3, Descent M2, Realms of

Valor, Rock n Roll Racing, VRSporls.

Konami: M2 Arcade conversion.

Millennium: Killer, Super Bikes.

Ocean: HMS Carnage, Silver.

Origin: Wing Commander IV.

Panasonic/Williams: War Cods, NHL Open Ice.

Rage: M2 Striker.

Silent Software: Return Fire 2.

Spectrum Holobyte: Top Gun.

SSI: M2 DealhKeep.

Studio 3DO: Army Men, Fighting Game, G3,

John Daly Golf, IMSA Racing, M2 Baseball, M2

Football, M2 Soccer, Power Crystal, Rush.

Take 2: Ironblood.

US Gold: Dream Team Basketball, Olympic

Games, Olympic Soccer.

Virgin: Heart of Darkness.

Warp: D2.

3DO Magazine/July 96 •••*

Capcom Backs M2

ollowing in the footsteps of fellow software geniuses Konami, Capcom has signed with Matsushita to use M2 for its next generation, polygon-based coin-ops - possibly starting with the endlessly awaited Street Fighter III. The system will not be a low-cost, second-string system like the PlayStation and Saturn derived boards, but cutting-edge hardware aimed directly at Sega's Model 3, million- polygons-a-second killer arcade system.

Like most arcade companies, Capcom has been reluctant to invest the huge sums burnt up by Namco and Sega by internally developing its own, cutting edge 3D performance. M2 was specifically licensed to regain Capcom's ability to compete for the number one spot.

Quite how difficult that will be was underlined at E3 where Sega's Virtua Fighter 3 wowed everyone who saw it. Although the demos were uninteractive,

Sega claimed the graphics were being generated in real-time by the Martin-Marietta designed Model 3. To best show off the system, it uses high resolution TVs and may be restricted to only the biggest arcades due to price. According to rumour, see- ing VFIII prompted Capcom into returning to the drawing board for SFIII.

For Matsushita, however, Virtua Fighter III was per- haps the ideal selling tool for why con- sumers (and coin-op makers) needed M2. Mr Tony Matsuo, head of Panasonic Wondertainmenf (Matsushita's M2 division), proclaimed: "As you see the M2 spec, it is the Model 3 of Sega... [obviously M2] is a strong competitor to the latest arcade machine. (Some people from a software house could not tell the difference between them.) Of course, we will make use of an arcade M2 machine,

and the biggest arcade companies, such as Konami and Capcom, have already made an agreement." While the M2 coin-ops will have considerably more memory than the home version, Matsuo was keen to emphasise he expected conversions for the M2 home consoles. As the ex-president of Virgin Interactive Entertainment in Japan, Matsuo has plenty of videogames expe- rience and Wondertainmenf will handle the whole M2 project under one roof: hardware, inhouse software develop- ment and third-party licensing. Capcom and Konami certainly provide an excel- lent start for what's to come!

Star Gladiators, left and below. Capcom get modern with beat-'em-ups. Middle, StreetFighter Alpha on PlayStation, Capcom go retro...

Capcom History

Capcom was founded in 1 979, by Mr Kenzo Tsujimoto, and like a host of other Japanese companies of the peri- od used the country's lead in electronics to build world- beating coin-ops. Domestic success with games like Son Son, Valgus and Higemaru prepared the way for the global hits 1942 and Commando. Coin-op success was promptly followed by hits on the next, Japanese world- beater - the Nintendo Entertainment System. Ghosts 'N' Goblins was the sort of coin-op mega-hit kids couldn't resist bringing home in cartridge form.

Huge profits were ploughed back into the company and, in 1988, Capcom's R&D division revolutionised the arcades with what was then unbelievable audiovisual performance. The Capcom CP made its debut with Magic Sword and Forgotten Worlds, mind-bogglingly pretty but still rather shallow games. Then came the awesome Strider and Ghosts 'N' Ghouls. US Gold set up a new label to promote 8bit and 1 6bit computer conversions. One of the few non-hits was a conversion of a mediocre beat-'em-up called Street Fighter.

Then came Sfreef Fighter II. It ditched the original Final F/g/ir-sfyle scrolling format in favour of a series of one-on-one confrontations, building up into a champi- onship to determine the world's number one Street Fighter. At first, the game was regarded without enthusi- asm, a predictable sequel to a game no-one had liked the first time around. Yet the more people played the

game, the more they liked it. The depth of gameplay, the unbelievable variety of moves and countermoves built it into the most successful coin-op series ever. After Mario, signing up an initially exclusive version of the game was the SNES's biggest selling point. In 1 993, Capcom employed 600 programmers and American Nintendo owners voted it the best videogame producer by a mar- gin of 2:1 .

In retrospect, this was a highpoint for the company which subsequently slipped into something of a decline. Although SFII first appeared in 1 991 , the company has constantly shyed away from risking a full-blown sequel which could destroy its primary cash cow. After an almost endless series of updates, the company recently embarked on prequels such as Street Fighter Alpha and, most recently, Beta. Star Gladiator marks a tentative and unoriginal venture into polygon beat-'em-ups, widely regarded as a testbed for SFIII.

The company's biggest splash of late is on PlayStation with Resident Evil, an Alone In The Dark-type game designed from the ground-up for the PlayStation - and adults. Known as Biohazard in Japan, it features a trio of soldiers venturing into a house occupied by mutants such as zombies, giant spiders and sharks. Although game- play is less than original, the spectacular gore and intense addictivity indicates Capcom is back on the win- ning track. Resident Evil 2 for M2, anyone?

Sega's Virtua Fighter 3. Capcom declare war...

continued over >

(15 3DO Magazine/July 96

news

continued > DISC INSTRUCTIONS

SYNDICATE, ELECTRONIC ARTS One playable level

To use your demo, simply insert it into your 3DO os normal. A superb infro will sel the scene for the game, which can be aborted by pressing any button. A copyright screen will then come up, fol- lowed by screenshots of a world mop (for planning you bid for global domina- tion), R&D (for researching new weapons) and an arming up screen (with a massive choice of exceptionally powerful firepower). These screens are NOT interactive, but merely an indica- tion of the full game's sophistication. Pressing any button will skip these, but watch out for your mission objectives. Ingame you have just two agents - the full game has a maximum of four - and they're already fully equipped with weapons. Good luckl

MISSION CONTROLS

Walk to Cursor: A

Access Weapons Bar: B

Fire Weapon: C

Group Mode: X

Pause: P

Select Agent: Dpad + Right Shift

Scroll View: Dpad + Left Shift

Swap Scanner Mode: A + B + Left

Shift

Move View to Agent: C + Right Shift

Select API* Level:

A + Up/Down + Right Shift

Alter API Level: A + Left/Right +

Right Shift

Panic Mode (rapidfire all directions):

Left & Right Shift buttons

Self Destruct: A + B + C + Left Shift

* API: Adrenaline, Perception &

Intelligence. These affect reaction times,

shooting accuracy and an tactical

smarts. As they're all controlled by

drugs, you can alter each of

them ingame.

WEAPONS BAR

De/Select Weapon: A, B or C

Drop Weapon: Left Shift or

Right Shift

3DO Buys MUD

Hn the eve of E3, The 3DO Company signalled its determi- nation to diversify with the acquisition of Archetype Interactive Corp - developers of the world's first graphical multi-user dimension (MUD) game, Meridian 59. Archetype welcomed the deal as it provides them with funds to bring Meridian to market faster, while 3DO picked up a game to spearhead their internet strategy - which will also involve internally developed games, M2- powered PC net-surfing and, ultimately, a modem for the M2 console.

Meridian allows for any number of internet users to participate in a real- time, 3D medieval adventure. Upon log- ging on, users may create a unique char- acter made up of thousands of attributes. This alter ego can then chat with other characters, ^^^fc.-«-»

barter goods, engage in polit- ical intrigue, pursue quests for hidden treasure, form alliances and slay monsters. Besides the city of Barloque and the pastoral village of Marion, there's an underworld for those not quite fast enough with the old

<wrw Cuun Surf* tfmv

ddddMiid

broadsword. Escaping the underworld will be a formidable chal- lenge all of its own. MUDs repre- senting similar worlds purely by text have long enjoyed fervent, cult success but Meridian's high- quality 3D graph- ics promise to rev- ■* olutionise the genre.

'The Internet is the first medium ever to provide a unique connectivity between computing resources and people across the globe, ushering in a new. era of 'social computing'," said Trip Hawkins, 3DO's charis- matic CEO. "Today's announcement demonstrates 3DO's commitment to be a leader in this new era of computing by delivering truly engaging entertainment, and gives users a hint of products to expect in the coming year."

Meridian 59 is expected to ship this Autumn in America, initially for IBM- compatibles but with an option to support M2. Panasonic are also on the verge of announcing their own internet strategy, initially for PC, with an as yet unknown partner.

3DO Profitable At Last

he 3DO Company has posted its first profitable quarter since it was founded in September 1 991 . "In the past year, we have dili- gently worked on crafting and execut- ing our new business strategy and are pleased with the early results" said Trip Hawkins, 3DO's chairman and CEO. "With this strategy, we are now focused on multiple markets increasing our rev- enue potential while minimising our risk. We expect this quarter to be a harbinger of quarters to come as we look to increase revenue in our technol- ogy and publishing businesses, and streamline operations across the com- pany."

The new strategy is marked by diver- sification and licensing deals which emphasise upfront payment over per unit usage fees. Software publishing, while not initially figuring in the compa- ny's plans, is now an important revenue stream. In FY 1994, Studio 3DO pro-

duced three 3DO titles, in FY 1 995 that rose to 1 3 and, in 1 997, the company will support multiple platforms. Studio 3DO plans to release 1 0 PC titles this year - including both original titles and conversions of its own biggest 3DO hits.

Also announced is a licensing deal for three of Studio 3DO's most popular titles - Killing Time, BatileSport and Star Fighter - to appear on the Sony PlayStation via Acclaim. An announce- ment which "validates our expertise in delivering hit titles that combine high- end, 3-D graphics with intense, addic- tive game play," according to Studio 3DO's general manager, Robert Lindsey. On the evidence of previous 3DO conversions, especially Star Fighter, it's unlikely the PSX games will be superior to the originals.

The most important factor in 3DO's rise to profitability, however, is undoubt- edly a string of prestigious licensing

deals for its second generation, 64bit M2 technology. In December, 1 995, it negotiated a $100 million fee for Matsushita . This was followed, in March 1 996, with a deal for the 3D graphics technology to be used in PC graphics cards by Cirrus Logic. Further revenue has come from the 'volume' shipment of M2 development kits and its MPEGXpress digital video encod- ing/decoding system.

All these factors meant fourth quarter revenues for 3DO rose from $8.4 mil- lion last year to $1 4.7 this, a rise of 75 percent. Net income was $1 .2 million, the company's first profit, compared with a net loss of $7.9 million in the previous year's final quarter. Earnings per share were $0.04, up from a loss of $0.33 per share the previous share. With further revenue expected to flow through from its licensing deals, the profitable trend is expected to continue through to the next quarter.

3DO Mauazinc/July 96 06

E3: The Competition

he '96 E3 was, without doubt, tfie most competitive videogame battle yet seen. Nintendo kicked things off with a pre-E3 show demo'ing Super Mario 64 and a host of other titles, of which LucasArts' much hyped Shadows Of The Empire Star Wars tie-in was surprisingly disap- pointing. Sony weren't taking any chances though, they cut the price of the PlayStation by 33% the next day, from $299 to $1 99 - (instantly matched in the UK with a £1 99 pricepoint). Sega initially indicated they didn't need to fol- low suit, but then bit the bullet anyway in the States (and a week later in the UK). Nintendo, who'd dismissed CD- based consoles as inevitably over-expen- sive, held fast to a $250 pricepoint for N64 (without game). Add Super Mario (at $70 a copy) and perhaps a 64MB Bulky Drive ($200), due next year, and the $520 N64 combo costs more than owning both its main rivals. Sega in any case rubbished Bulky Drive as equivalent to their failed 32X and Mega-CD upgrades, displaying a startling lack of tact toward their own abused con- sumers.

Super Mario 64 was undoubtedly the game of the show. It dominated every news report with some dazzling 3D, simply watching Mario take a huge, car- toon key from his pocket was more fun the playing most PlayStation games, but gameplay itself won mixed reviews. Many thought it awesome, some thought it great, but a surprising number were unimpressed - especially given Nintendo's assertion N64 had been delayed two months specifically to ensure the game's perfection: "If even ten games out of a hundred users aren't satisfied with the game it will be a huge blow," said Nintendo president Yamauchi. Initial reaction contained a considerably larger number of sceptics than just 1 0%, even on the Nintendo Internet newsgroup. The main criticism was that there simply wasn't enough to do, a concern which strikes to the heart of Nintendo's N64 strategy with its carts averaging 8MB as compared to 650MB for a CD. Pilot Wings 64 impressed with some nice, if familiar play mechanics while other games were rated fun, but nothing special.

Sega unsurprisingly had a pair of Mario wannabe's. Nights was a deliri-

		&*A
	l	■	1

ously psychedelic 3D experience, more flying than platforming, and more 2D than 3D in gameplay terms, but spec- tacular nonethe- less. Designed by the creator of Sonic, it symbol- ised the ability of Sega to pour resources into quality inhouse development just like Nintendo. Sonic X- treme was a more predictable clone which, at first sight, looked more a graphics demo than an inspired new game-style. Aside from an hilarious arcade Sonic beat-'em-up, the character looked rather tired and X-treme was notably less hyped than Nights. There were also a string of predictable arcade conversions, Virtua Lock-On, Virtva Cop 2 etc. illustrating how under-rated the Saturn's 3D is. The arcade titles sur- rounded the Saturn in reflected glory, without actually promising much in gameplay terms - particularly for mature gamers wanting an original, long-term challenge for home play.

Sony, by contrast, appeared almost timid after their utter domination of the last E3. Games such as WipeOut XL, Jumping Jack 2 and Destruction Derby 2 confirmed that the titles English multifor- mat magazines had acclaimed as unbeatable were, in fact, little more than rough sketches for the real games arriv- ing in '96. WipeOut XL actually has a proper array of tracks and learning curve, (but sadly ditches the original's superb graphics in favour of a more garish, American style gloss). Jumping Jack 2 looks like it should last longer than the two hours it took to finish the original, but still seems unworthy of mentioning on the same page as Mario, while Destruction Derby 2 blatantly rips- off Sega's Daytona - which can only be a good thing considering the appalling gameplay of DD1. There were, of course, a host of unremarkable Doom clones such as Psygnosis's Tenka. Mario- beater Crash Bandicoot was nothing of the sort, nor was Bubsy 3D, while BMG's Spider won inexplicable praise as per- haps the most imaginative 3D platformer

- by a non-Japanese developer. Besides the chutzpah of the pricedrop, Sony's best card was probably Fl from Psygnosis. It looked great, had a Murray Walker commentary and will, in fact, be ported to Saturn. Beyond that and cross- platform PC ports such as Command and Conquer, the PlayStation seemed a little dull. Nintendo and Sega's stands underlined Sony's lack of a single, defin- ing must-have game. Moreover, Psygnosis has been put up for sale by Sony now the PSX's critical launch peri- od is over. Interestingly, Psygnosis are beginning to switch lead development to PC - where 64bit graphics cards are becoming accepted as the future.

Overall, the show was unbelievably large and, for the most part, disappoint- ing. Mostly, more games simply meant more games, rather than better or innov- ative ones. Aside from Nintendo, whose cart policy looks ever more shaky, there was a distinct lack of originality. Sony and Sega seemed content to rely on clones and arcade conversions, desper- ate to become the SNES and Mega Drive producers of the 32bit generation. 3DO's ambition was missed, while Electronic Arts - the world's largest inde- pendent software house, after all - showed little sign of pushing the gaming envelope for PlayStation or Saturn in the way they achieved on 3DO. Their only notable console game was a polygo- nised Desert Strike, AKA Soviet Strike, with lush 32bit backgrounds but not much sign of innovative gameplay. There remains an opportunity for M2, particu- larly as PC games switch to 64bit graph- ics cards of a similar spec, but Matsushita need to take it soon. □ ssw

3DO Magazine

Super Mario 64

WipeOut XL

Destruction Derby 2

07 3DO Magazine/July 96

preview

World Beater

Olympic Games from US Gold

Skeet shooting offers some

eye/hand co-ordination,

swimming and weight lifting

pure finger power.

The second prong in US Gold's 'back to basics' campaign of good old fashioned licensing and classic gameplay is Olympic Games, which shares Olympic Soccer's programmers, Silicon Dreams, and its aspiration to defeat all genre rivals. And whilst Olympic Soccer has some classic games to contend with in the battle for ultimate footie game accolade, Olympic Games has a clear field and a head start on Studio 3DO's Decathlon.

n the golden age of Ocean's Daley Thompson's Decathlon, J Spectrums and C64's were trashed and replaced as a matter of course: no keyboard could withstand the punishment dished out on the notori- ous two key-basher events. Despite the hardware damaging potential, the genre was successfully enhanced and refined by the Epyx range of ambitious C64 sports sims, but never really took off on 1 6bit machines. Now as the 32- bit generation awaits its first Olympic Games fever, Silicon Dreams hope to create a frenzy of competitive spirit to match the intensity of yesteryear.

Olympic Games certainly benefits from the increased memory and graphi- cal capabilities of the 32-bit family, boasting an enormous range of sporting action all sumptuously visualised. 15 events provide great VFM, with the familiar button hammering of running and swimming accompanied by more elegant, dextrous events such as fencing and sharp shooting. For sheer variety, Olympic Games certainly trounces Studio 3DO's imminent Decathlon, although it's too early to say which will deliver the winning combination of playability and, most importantly, longevity, in a genre once dismissed as a fad.

Office Champ

In its nearly finished state, Olympic Games has provided some of the most intense office competition for ages. The PlayStation conversion, with only a slightly higher polygon count, has already been acclaimed the best of its genre - trouncing Konami's Track & Field- so expectations are high for US Gold to claim top spot on the winner's

podium this summer.

1 00 and 400 meter running is just plain hard fun of course (though not as hernia inducing as the weight lifting), but discus, skeet shooting and fencing offer uniquely intense action of their own, each setting tough qualification scores to beat. Pole vault, high jump and triple jump all boast the classic 'what's the best angle?' experimenta- tion, guaranteeing plenty of fun watch- ing your opponents' initially disastrous attempts.

All of the games deliver consistently superb graphics - the motion capture technology so well implemented in Olympic Soccer is even more impressive here, mammoth athletes pulling off Herculean manoeuvres with uncanny fluidity. Each event is perfectly presented with sweeping, panning and zooming camera movements - likely to put the imminent 'real' TV coverage to shame. Narration from Radio 5's Alan Green

(in typically bombastic mode) stokes the stadium atmosphere and competitive spirit to a fever pitch of excitement.

A more sophisticated '90's market is well catered for in the three distinct play modes, which address the 'novelty' tag of the track and field genre with serious- ly impressive variables to make play consistently demanding. Olympic Mode has thirty competitors, with up to eight computer opponents open to deferral in favour of human athletes daisy-chaining their joypads. Simultaneous eight-player events such as sprinting and swimming are immediate fun, whilst solo rounds such as javelin and archery see players competing to qualify and, obviously, out perform their opponents in the three heats available, accumulating medals along the way. Arcade mode offers even more punishing action. There's no CPU players, just you and up to seven more competitors struggling to qualify in each event or lose a life. Lose three, and

3DO Magazine/July 96 (18

Top left, archery features

particularly impressive

graphics.

Above, fencing looks

promising.

Far left, high jump and left,

the hand mashing 400 meter

killer.

you're out of the competition, whilst maximum points equals victory. This mode offers the most satisfying multi- player action as you each take turns try- ing to redefine the parameters of suc- cess. Finally, Challenge Mode lets you edit the games down to personal favourites, with, again, up to eight play- ers (empty slots taken up by the CPU) battling it out against each other on whichever events you like. All track events, perhaps, followed by a session of weight lifting to try and cripple each other, or maybe some skeet shooting and fencing if you're fingers are worn to the bone.

This abundance of options, along with adjustable CPU skill levels, make Olympic Games a very user friendly package that should offer more than enough action for solo and group play- ers alike long after the Olympics are gone. Certainly, as a multiplayer game, Olympic Games should be unbeatable since no one can resist the combination of animalistic button bashing and loser jeering, both essential components of a 'friendly' competition. If Silicon can keep up the momentum whilst finishing the title off, they should have a real

«IUP
' \ *^»3i3&;\|
,		J

Clockwise from far left: ham- mer throwing takes ages to master; the shooting range lets you play cops; pole vault tests timing and nerves; long jump is another tough one to master; javelin demands speed and accuracy.

smash this summer, that will encourage a whole new generation of gameplayers to hook up together and break joypads. Armchair athletes intending to compete better get in training now. □ mew • Olympic Games will be available to buy in July.

3DO Magazine

(I1) 3DO Magazine/July 96

Pegged out. Expired. Deceased. No more. An 'ex-console'.

Most games systems have no future, how long before yours bites the dust?

Let's spell this out, 3-D-O, the first in CD based super-consoles.

We have the biggest 32-bit games library. We have award winning titles like

Road Rash™ FIFA International Soccer™ and Return Fire™

What's more, we have 64-bit M2 technology on the way to give you power

like you have neverimagined.

Buy 3DO now. Life is short. Yours that is.

3DO is available from Games Limited, selected HMV's, Virgin Megastores. Future Zone, Silica Systems, and all other good independent stores. 3DO, the 3DO logos are trademarks

registered trademarks of the 5DO company. All other trademarks and/or registered trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

review

Olympic Soccer

As we write this, the first match of Euro '96 is just days away and only you, three weeks in the future, know whether England are turnips or heroes. What's beyond doubt, is that football's ever-increasing popularity ensures Olympic Soccer will be a massive hit. But does it deserve to be?

Olympic Soccer

Publisher: US Gold

® 0121 6061800

Developer: Silicon Dreams

Save Game: Yes

Price: TBA

Available: July

Arcade Mode ii a 32-toam knockout staggered over fix rounds. Olympic Mode if, of course, an accurate recreation of the Atlanta competition, but you can re-edit the groups at will with 33 competitors to choose from. There's a League Mode which caters for 2- 1 6 teams, and is tailor-made for getting the mates round. Shorter-term challenge is pro- vided by Exhibition Mode.

While there are basically just

two viewpoints, sideline and

isometric, these can be

radically customised - switch

between loose and fixed

perspective, vary the zoom,

even vary the camera angle

all the way from flat on the

pitch to directly overhead.

Sensi Soccer fans nostalgic for

the old overhead, microdot

player perspective are fully

catered for here! Polygon

fans, by contrast, can zoom in

surprisingly close. On Action

Replay (below) you can pan

around F/FA-style, but being

polygons the players don't

pixellate and the speed at

which huge 3D players swarm

about in fastforward is

stunning.

n 1 994, 3DO FIFA smashed apart the football genre with its free-flowing camera move- ment, motion-captured sprites and 3D stadium. Striker followed in its footsteps with greater pace, but thereafter 3DO has been suffering something of a world ban. FIFA '96 copycatted 3DO FIFA with a few minor enhancements, but it nevertheless stung that EA didn't release it on 3DO. Konami's Goalstorm was mediocre, Actua Soccer is ultimate- ly shallow and bugged, but still...

So the mere fact Olympic Soccer is coming to 3DO is cause for celebration in its own right. What's deserving of 1 966-type parties in the street is that Olympic Soccer is not only arguably the

best footie game yet, in both playability tions - but in what other console game

and sophistication, but the 3DO version is fully a match for any other. Designed for 3DO from the start, it moves smoothly and realistically on Trip's baby (whereas the PlayStation's warp speed movement illustrates processing power at the cost of realism and controllability).

The excellence of the 3DO ver- sion is only fair since it's given Silicon Dreams over 1 8 months of

could you assign each player individual attributes? A player can be told to find space, to chase or even man-to-man mark an opposing player of your choice. J}Jy Play on the ball itself is

Oy equally impressive. O ~T~\ (~\ Passing is simple, trap-

3 ping the ball tougher, Magazine .JT and a massive range of ^j. fijW flourish shots, from bicycle solid development on a finished devkit, kicks to diving headers are

with a game designed from Day One available with practice. Initially, compe- as a 32bit, CD-ROM superconsole tent play is tough, since the game

mega-game. Take the management side moves so fast and the high level of of things - of course there's a reason- sophistication means it's easy to slip up, able array of formations and substitu- but perseverance rewards with a real

3DO Mnguzinc/Julv 96 12

"What's deserving of 1966-type parties in the street is that Olympic Soccer is not only arguably the best footie game yet, in both playability and sophistication, but the 3DO version if fully a match for any other... a dreamy tour de force by Silicon Dreams."

sense of accomplishment. 'B' passes the ball to the nearest player, a double tap achieving a quick one-two. Hold 'B' down for longer, and you'll pass to your furthest team mate, Left-Shift per- forms a back heel, Right Shift performs either an overhead kick or a cross into the penalty area,. 'A' let's you shoot, power determined by how long you hold it down, and it's here you're likely to discover the phenomenal amount of after touch available. Mammoth swerve is incredible to behold, and great fun to use, letting you pull off unbelievably powerful, disorientating shots on goal. Lift and dip (backspin and topspin) are applied by pressing down and up on the cursor pad. Tackling is tricky, since the dedicated slide tackle button, B, is difficult to pull off without sending your own player to the floor or performing a foul. The trick is to run tight circles around the player in possession, nudg- ing them away, but the pace is so fast, it'll take plenty of practice before you can confidently win the ball. It all seems a generation on from F/FA's pretty, but simplistic gameplay.

Visually, Olympic Soccer initially appears crude next to the movie like beauty of FIFA, but a host of fine details soon become apparent. The stadiums are glorious - pitch variations apparent with worn, sun-drenched ochre and cool blue frozen wastelands. In wet conditions, you can even see splashes of water behind your players!

At first players seem rather crude cross breeds of ugly polygons, but

The most dramatic players are the goalkeepers, above, who, unlike FIFA's one save robots, leap, bounce and dive all over the place with heroic aban- donment. Truly marvellous.

Top left, the keeper's laid out and the goal's open. Left, Sen si style action.

zoom in and you can appreciate not only fine detail (down to the numbers and logos on their shirts) but also the sheer dynamism of their animation. Little details, like the selected player in a set piece holding up his hand, to the acrobatic overhead kicks add to an atmosphere of realism that is quite unique.

The crowd sound effects aren't quite up to F/FA-standard - there's no Brazilian drums! - but are still highly atmospheric and react well to what's happening on pitch. Where the audio scores over FIFA is with Radio 5's Alan Green, who provides a decent, event sensitive commentary that perfectly complements the stadium atmosphere.

As for long-term lastability, besides

the incredible depth of gameplay on the pitch, there's plenty of varied play options from Arcade to Olympic and even League Modes. For any match you can have up to four human players involved (sadly no more two a side though).

All in all then, Olympic Soccer is a dreamy tour de force from developers Silicon Dreams. The combination of finely honed gameplay, offering instant arcade fun as well as long term play value, plus sublime presentation and a . whole host of neat touches make for an irresistible game of footie. Euro '96, pah, it's Olympic Soccer that's the real competition! □ mew

Presentation throughout this title is first class, with plenty of user-friendly options, including an instant replay option (no tedious reloading of menu screens).

3DO Magazine rating:

• *•••

13 3DO MoRazinD/July 96

review

Iron Angel Of The Apocalypse

The Return

'Humans have reached the limits of their evolution as living creatures. In order to achieve an evolutionary leap, there's only one alternative - alloy human consciousness to a steel body. In a dark tower, horrible experiments have been conducted...' Welcome back to the nightmarish world of Iron Angel Of The Apocalypse: The Return.

Iron Angel Of The Apocalypse

The Return

Publisher: Panasonic

©TBA

Developer: Synergy

Save Game: 1 Save Slot

Price: 49.99

Available: TORC Software,

(US Rating: 1 2)

Right, Captain Hoss is the very latest Motoid model. He loves SCR and is one of the few vaguely impressive end-level bosses. He is well armed with a stopper gun, which can freeze you, and a energy- sapping Launcher.

The battle-scarred Lunar Transporter returns to Earth with Tetsujin at the controls.

Now for the final battle!

Grunt combat robots jetpack

through space to the latest

combat zone.

1 s	\ (		I**
mm tm m mm
i .. R " M	(t_ y_
■ '		%*% ,' :...
	%k> - ^ * '«l\|M III \| III \|\|

Hverlaid with English-language graphics and dubbed American dialogue, Iron Angel 2 remains unmistakably a prod- uct of the Japanese Synergy. While the interlevel FMV is exceptional, a plotline which was confusing in Japanese becomes even more so in English!

In the prequel, an awesome cyborg was created by combining an robotic body with a human's mind. Charged with dominating the world, the cyborg was known as Tetsujin - the Iron Angel of the Apocalypse. His master, the Mad Scientist, planned to use him to take over the world, a scheme which col- lapsed due to the intervention of a mys- terious Golden Android. This bizarre creature defeated the Mad Scientist with

the aid of Tetsujin, but victory turned to disaster when the two turned on each other in a fight which killed them both.

The sequel begins with the discovery of Tetsujin's body. The first action sequence is a high-speed race down an CD-streamed corridor, dodging various objects in real-time. It's a test you can't win, because it ends with the accident which creates Tetsujin's second human partner...

It turns out the Golden Android has also been resurrected and the SCR world government wants him dead. The SCR isn't some placid, goody-two-shoes organisation however. It's actually adapted the Mad Scientist's mind-blank- ing Assimilation Process to use on the general population, encouraging people

to have cybernetic implants and become Motoids. The latest phase of this suc- cessful world domination is bringing home a new energy source, G-5, from the planet Alpha.

Just as in the original game, there's a three-way power struggle with no clear goodies or baddies, just varying shades of very dark grey. The ambiguity of the plotline means the FMV isn't simply eye- candy reward for doing well, but clues to a plot far more involved than usual 'good vs. evil' riff. Unfortunately, the game doesn't present you with an option to change the plot ingame and only hardcore Manga fans will be able to make head or tail of it anyway.

After the opening car chase scene, the game introduces you to the Doom-

3DO Magazinc/Jiilr 96 14

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	■ .* '	i	i
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■	•■ •:	r	J

"Ultimately, the game's most deadly opponent is tedium, encouraging you simply not to care about your energy status. All the game's energy and interest is in the FMV, with gameplay reduced to a poorly thought out pause between the next bravura cinematic."

style action which takes up the bulk of the game. Traditionally, Japanese audi- ences have been wary of 3D, but train- ing missions which consist of walking down a few corridors and shooting stat- ic enemies are annoyingly prosaic. The real stuff begins with Tetsujin's travel pod being attacked on the lunar base, involving him in a battle 'without know- ing why' according to the manual - so where is the hope for anyone else? Anyway, the targets move now, but it's still much too easy.

The next stage takes part on an SCR battleship with a SfarB/ade-slyle shoot- 'em-up as introduction. An FMV-race sequence introduces the next and final earth-based challenge. Both these stages are mainly Doom-style, consisting

of huge sprawling, multi-level mazes with lifts, warps and dead-ends. The graphics are stylishly gray and mun- dane, some of the creatures are very impressive - closely matching FMV sequences - but most resemble mobile bins. Movement and gunplay is slug- gish, despite the fact that all the mazes are entirely lacking the radical 3D traps and buildings which distinguish Doom.

Various weapons are scattered across the levels, many looking very cool, but the most powerful ones have to be fired twice - once to reload, once to actually shoot - which soon becomes tedious. Energy, by contrast, recharges automatically which makes an already easy game even easier. Simply retreat- ing into a corner and watching energy

climb up, pixel by pixel, is considerably less exciting than the frantic searching for energy which happens in Killing Time or Doom. The save game is also clumsily implemented with just a single slot - reach a new area and there's no option to create a new file just in case it turns out to be a dead-end.

Ultimately, the game's most deadly opponent is tedium, encouraging you simply not to care about your energy status. All of the game's energy and interest is in the FMV, with gameplay reduced to a poorly thought out pause between the next bravura cinematic. Hopefully, next time Synergy will simply do a CGI Manga movie... D ssw

3DO Magazine rating: ••

Above, defeat the jetpacking Grunt motoids in fast, but simplistic StarBlade action and you get to board this giant transport. Inside it you'll find human bodies in impenetrable glass containers, above left, ready for Assimilation. The graphics are haunting, but interaction is nonexistent. Left, an FMV, CD-streamed race sequence is a much needed test of your reactions.

A * I	lsw
1 **-.-•	\m
	mn • — A

Above, Spider robots provide sluggish opponents, as do Silver Troll Motoids - far left. Below, motiod Robbie is an R2-D2 type character who pops up with useful advice from time to time.

Above, each level is crammed with monitors providing atmospheric, but mostly use- less SCR blipverts.

15 3DO Magazine/July 96

reviews

Build a Jumbotron TV and you can run real FMV ads on it.

iisSiiji^

:_l ' --H;v.B.j>3 _.,■'•

mm m mi

Peeking on the Tower's various rooms is voyeuristic fun.

Top, extended sequences

enhance an already gorgeous

game. Above, whilst you're

unlikely to learn much from

the D Storybook slideshow, it

certainly looks nice...

BO Waiid

Software from around the world for the your 3DO system,

THE TOWER

Published by OPeNBooK

Eespite coming with an 88-page Japanese-language manual, The Tower shares the hallmark of most good sims by being instantly addictive. The opening FMV pans across a city skyline, before swiftly zooming in for a voyeuristic investigation of The Tower's residents. Make the right deci- sions, and your towering construct can play host to your own collection of fami- lies, businesses and attractions.

Click past the FMV and you're present- ed with a choice of four sites to place your first tower, presumably beginning with the easiest first. The view now switch- es to game screen proper. If the skyline's already crowded with buildings, don't worry - you're a big-shot developer and it's no problem to demolish anything in your way. Use A' to begin construction of the hotel entrance and exit. A control menu will now appear, with four sub- menus. Mode switches between five differ- ent perspectives, including a largely incomprehensible financial breakdown, as well as a long view showing the hotel's

exterior and the neighbourhood below. The latter perspective amusingly lets you site a Jumbotron TV on the side of your building, and even select the FMV ads which will play there!

Sys allows you to demolish things you've built and peek at specific areas for financial info. You can also visually peep into an area, which quickly loads in a blocky but still fun FMV close-up of your office workers or flat-dwelling occupants. If you want to be even more personal, click on one of your Tower dwellers and get a full, but sadly Japanese rundown on his or her attitude to your building. You can 'bookmark' these characters, even name them, and return later to check how their attitudes change. The final option in this category is to exit the game, which brings up a save option.

Eq allows you to install a lobby area, a roof (which can be built over when ifs time for expansion), lift shafts and stairs. (It's worth remembering that to extend lifts you must click on them and then drag upwards.) Serv allows you to build offices, flats and restaurants. But as you progress, money builds up and options

expand with everything from gift shops to an indoor cinema available to true Donald Trump's. Besides financial ruin, there are also a variety of catastrophes to worry about, including fire, but also ran- dom special events such as finding trea- sure and Father Christmas coming to call!

Ifs relatively easy to build up quite a big skyscraper simply fooling around with the initially basic options. Watching the construction site fill up with offices and flats is fun, after which begins the wait for citizens to actually rent what you've built. It's amusing peeking in on your residents and there seems plenty of depth. Lifts might seem dull to you now, but residents turn an exceedingly angry red hue if they have to wait too long for them. Besides building more lifts, you can adjust how the lifts operate - but like so much of the game, only those au fait with Japanese, or extremely determined to experiment, will figure out exactly how it all works. While the graphics are unexceptional, this is exactly the type of sophisticated game which is perfect for 3DO owners. Sadly, there are no plans for an English lan- guage version at present.

D'S DINNER: The Director's Cut

Published by WARP

arp are one of the few compa- nies which 3DO can honestly have said to have made a name for. Coughing up for a 3DO devkit isn't for the semipro, back-bedroom enthusiast but Warp not only had the cash for the devkit, but also plenty of workstation Amiga's and artists to exploit them to the full.

The original release came on just two CDs and, technically, lagged behind Mechadeus' four CD epic, The Daedaleus Encounter, which combined SGI rendered graphics with real Hollywood actors for a stunning sci-fi adventure. Yet it was D which caused the bigger splash, stylishly embracing the horror genre with a truly adult sensibility. Grasping hands abruptly reaching through distorting mirrors, traps which spring an iron spike to within a mil- limetre of the heroine's eye and hallucino- genic flashbacks are just some of the treats

on offer. D is a genuinely spine tingling game, atmospheric and unsettling in narra- tive, action and direction.

For this reason the announcement of D: The Director's Cut didn't seem quite as pre- tentious as it would for most videogames. And now ifs actually arrived, the package turns out to be unsurprisingly tasteful. Elegantly packaged with a black plastic outer case, the double-pack CD jewel box includes a slim new manual and two extra CDs, one standard size, the other three- inch CD single size (which the 3DO Multiplexer plays automatically). The latter CD includes three tracks, including a rock single. The other CD is a collection of curios such as a lengthy, alternate intra to the original, four alternate trailers including one in English, and a novel version of D. This consists of evocative, if mostly simplistic pictures with overlaid text and the occa- sional spooky sound effect. All quite fasci- nating, but sadly in Japanese.

The game itself comes on just two CDs,

as before, and is in play terms unchanged with the old solution working equally well for the Director's Cut. Rather appropriately, the sole change is to the FMV cut sequences which seem slightly extended here and there. Overall, the package is the equivalent of a lavishly presented movie boxed set and, for Japanese consumers, great value. Ifs also an opportunity to re- evaluate a game which has stood the test of time surprisingly well. Newcomers will still be seduced by the wonderful atmos- phere of the game, for despite the relative brevity of the adventure, D really is a tour de force of style and direction. The exag- gerated wide screen ratio is still present, but the quality of the FMV more than com- pensates. D also serves as a taster for its M2 sequel, D2, which will apparently include real-time rendered, interactive 3D of higher quality to its prequel's pre-ren- dered 3D - more on this next issue! □ ssw

3DO Magazine

3DO Magazine/July 96 16

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play guide

D's Dinner

Escape Panasonic's Castle Of Psychological Warfare...

The Oedipus extravaganza D's Dinner proved something of a phenomena in Japan, where its state of the art visuals and brooding atmosphere inspired rabid obsession. D2 on M2 has been trailed for months in the Japanese press, so intense is the excitement for the continuing adventures of Laura. Whilst the game's hardly a marathon challenge, certain sections have caused difficulties, so here's our walk through guide to one of the 3DO's seminal adventures...

D's Diner

Publisher: Panasonic

Developer: Warp

Save Game: Yes

Price: £39.99

Reviewed: 3DO Gold

Wrench from bedroom.

Take the ring from the corpse.

Get the counter to 78.

his solution, based on the research of Paul Leahay (thanks!), offers a strictly basic, quick cut guide to D's Diner (original or Director's Cut) ignoring many of the subtler secrets in favour of swift passage. For example, to know the sequence of the drawers to be opened, a piece of paper should be placed in the bowl in the dining room for the numbers four and three to appear, but all you need to know is the numbers, so the bowl sequence is not described here. To get the most out of the game, it's really necessary to wan- der around, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the 'flashbacks', so don't let this brief walk through discourage you from investigating the world of D's Diner thoroughly. And if you do get lost, don't forget, you can use the com- pact in your inventory several times to reveal a glimpse of what you should be doing next.

Disc One

You start off in the Dining Room, and should move to the Hallway at the top left of the room. Follow the stairs up and go straight into the room facing you, where you'll find a chest of draw- ers. Open the first drawer to retrieve a piece of paper, then the fourth drawer (empty), then the second and take the wrench. Search the fireplace to find a silver key, then return to the Dining Room. Move to the far left door, and unlock it with the silver key, go in, turn left, and move towards the Lever and Box. You need to get the counter to read 78 for the box to open and reward you with a ring. It's not as easy as it first seems as you have to take into account the roll back of each digit, but persevere and the box will open.

From here, move to the Wine Cask Room next to the stairs, and use the wrench on the wine cask to deactivate the spikes blocking the stairs. Walk down these stairs, and use the ring to open the door marked 78.

In the Bedroom, move towards and examine the picture of a girl to see the painting morph into an illustration of four animals. Go to the table next to the bed, where the animal puzzle is, and move the pattern three times so that the deer is at the bottom of the screen, matching the illustration. The double doors on your right will now be unlocked, leading into next area, the Library.

Straight ahead of you is a room, and if you search the dead bodies inside, you'll find a gold key. Return to the bedroom and use the gold key to open the desk, now pick up the book which is inside. Take the book back to the library and put it on the bookcase, activating a hidden door which leads to a lift.

Although the US version is known as D's Diner, this is a typical Japlish mis- spelling. The correct title is D's Dinner, with D standing for Dracula who is here incarnated as Laura's father. The 1 5-rating is due to various, vampiric scenes of cannibalism which form the gruesome dinner!

Disc Two

The lift is operated by a podium wheel, which you can spin to randomly access one of five locations. These are: Stairs leading down to a Hall of Knights; stairs leading down to a Circular Pool; stairs leading up to The Garden; a locked gate blocking access back to the Library; a room with a large Stained Glass Window. Sometimes, the lift will be blocked by a wall. Basically, you must keep spinning the podium wheel and turning to see if the room you wan is available, which is tedious but neces- sary.

The first location you want, is the Hall Of Knights. Walk down the corri- dor, and wait for a Knight to attack you. Prompts will appear on screen for

3DO Magazine/July 96 18

you to avoid getting hacked up, which are, in order, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT and A. If at any time you press too late, you'll fall into the pit below and have to clamber back to the top. This section is tricky, and can take a while to get the hang of, but the visuals are stunning.

Defeat the Knight, and you can poach his sword. Return to the podium wheel, and spin it until the lift leads to The Garden. Here, use the sword to open the door on the right and climb the stairs to the Telescope Room. Press the lever to point to the two sine waves (see illustration) then look through the telescope to see a cluster of blue stars.

Go back to the lever and change it to highlight the 45° arrow, look back into the telescope and green stars will appear. Now go downstairs back to the Garden.

At the bottom of the Garden, you see two statues and a fountain with a chest floating in it. Move towards the statue of Sagittarius and push down the Green button at the top right. Move on to the Aquarius statue and press the Cyan button (bottom row, second from right). The fountain will now empty. Go back to the lift and spin the wheel until you can access the Circular Pool room, where you can now reach the chest

and take out the gun. Return to the podium wheel and spin it three times to open the Stained Glass Window room. Use your gun to shoot the window, and you'll see Laura climb out and up the wall to a new corridor, the Upper Hallway. Turn to look down

the corridor and walk ahead. Watch an apparition of your father, then turn left to open a Secret Room. Inside you'll find a set of gears. You must operate these gears so that the red ball in the left gear lines up with the correspond- ing hole in the right gear. From the start, you should: push the red button once, move the left lever once to the middle, press the button again, move the left lever to its furthest point, push the red button again, push left lever back to near, push right lever to middle and push button again. The machine will move, exposing a Glass Staircase.

At the top of the staircase, you'll find a painting of your mother, and by touching it, you'll reveal your father, in a state of emotional ruin. Here, there's two options available. Wait until he starts to melt, and use the gun to shoot him, or let him get on with it and see what happens. Whichever 'emotional response' you choose, you'll be rewarded by a suitably lavish (and cathartic) end sequence. Just time to save up for your M2 now... □ mew

3DO Magazine

GAME GURU UPDATE: CAPTAIN QUAZAR

Codes By John Elliott

All codes should patch the save game file

$ 1 6,777,2 1 5 IFFEEDDIXXF

9 Lives LKXCXXF

99 Continues LVMXWXF

Level 02 WXVXXF

Level 05 TTXVXXF

Level 06 SSXVXXF

Level 07 MMXVXXF

Level 08 LLXVXXF

Level 09 UUXVXXF

Level 10 KKXVXXF

EXTRA FUN

BONUS: Here is a saved game of Captain Quazar with $ 1 6,777,2 1 5, 9 Lives, 99 Continues, and Level 2 as your starting point. (This saves players having to actually play through the rather large level one to create a save file for patching.)

Detailed Instructions: (With advanced features activated - IHAVETHEPOWER)

01) Select FILE RELATED

02) Select SPECIAL

03) Select CREATE

04) Enter Filename CaptQuazarl.COMP and press C (NOTE: If you already have a CaptQuazarl, Rename YOUR file)

05) Enter Filesize 84, and press C

06) Select CHANGE TYPE

07) Select CaptQuazarl.COMP

08) Change NULL to COMP and press C

09) Change Filetype to COMP? YES

10) Press STOP

11) Select HEX EDITOR

1 2) Select CaptQuazarl .COMP

1 3) Enter the following:

00 C4 DF DF DF DF 74 1C 3B 40 BD BE 1 D 20 40 73 42 49 74 92 47 FA EF 09 IF 1E3CA7 52 77 47 50 AD CF D4 CD FF 50 EA A5 27 D5 75 8A 9F 75 8A CB FF4A4FFB05 17 4D47 CB 4F 64 FC 2F ED ED 78 E9 26 9F 84 CC BF 0A 6C E6 23 F0 D5 FF C3 29 CF CA C8 EB F8

14) Press C

15) Save changes? YES

16) Press STOP

17) Select DECOMPRESS

1 8) Select CaptQuazarl .COMP

Copy the pattern...

...on the board game

Open the secret corridor.

Defeat the knight.

Activate the telescope..

Meet your Father.

19 JDO Magnzine/.lul> 96

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play guide

The Daedalus Encounter

Publisher: Panasonic

Developer: Mechadeus

Save Game: 4 save game slots

Price: £39.99

Reviewed: 3DO Magazine »4

Circuit puzzle.

■ ^ t W Encounter

Daedalus

Complete walk through for Panasonic's sci-fi adventure

The last laserbolt of the last battle of the First Intergalatic War, circa 2 135 AD, totalled your body, reducing you to a brain in a life-support box. Fellow veterans Tia Carrere and Christian Bocher boost you from hospital, relying on your help for a salvage mission which rapidly goes disasterously wrong... The Daedaleus Encounter is undoubtedly the most spectacular FMV adventure yet seen on 3DO. Stand ready for the full solution to a sci-fi epic.

OPENING

The caption 'TWO MONTHS LATER' appears, you hear voices and the vision of loveliness that is Tia Carrere looms into view. She asks whether you can hear her or not. Should you answer YES, all will be fine. Answering NO will give Tia a smile as she gets excited by your sense of humour. Either way, the effect is the same. You have ten seconds to respond, otherwise it will all go dark, Tia will fade away and the game will end. Not the trickiest part of the game, admittedly.

TRAINING MISSION

Essentially, this gives you a chance to try out your probe and become famil- iarised with the control system.

You have entered the Draylak sys- tem. Tia asks you to start up the probe. During this section there is video help if you take too long to respond. The cor- rect sequence of action is: STARTUP, DIAGNOSTICS, DEPLOY.

In the asteroid, you are asked to get ID on the rogue ship. Select ANALYSIS.

You fly up to the Vakkar ship where you are confronted by a door. The laser will automatically be activated. To open the door, shoot the little blue sensor on the top right switch. Miss, and the probe is destroyed and game over.

Inside the Vakkar ship, Tia will help- fully point out that it's dark. To make her happy, switch on the FLOODLIGHT.

You will have 30 seconds in which to explore the interior of the ship by H clicking on the green directional indicators. Selecting the down

arrow lets you circle round the dead | alien to see the 'Kick Me' sign on its

back.

You will then approach a floating metal object. Use the GRAPPLE-ARM to

grab hold of it. Tia will ask you to analyse it, so you'd better select ANALYSIS. Back on the Artemis, Zack asks whether you fancy a trip to Mizar. If you respond YES, you'll go there. If you respond NO, you'll be outvoted and go there anyway.

ENCOUNTER

The Artemis will crash into another ship. Select DIAGNOSTICS to find out what's going on. You will have to restore the ship's power by solving the Artemis Circuit Puzzle.

ARTEMIS CIRCUIT PUZZLE

Make the connections as shown in the

picture and power will be restored. Tia

will ask you to run an ID; select

ANALYSIS.

You are asked to activate the probe. As

before, select STARTUP, DIAGNOSTICS,

DEPLOY.

DOOR A (RED DOOR)

You will approach a hole in the Alien

ship. Tia will ask you to go in and turn on your FLOODLIGHT, so do it. You will then have 1 5 seconds to have a quick look around.

You will approach a door that leads into the Alien ship. Selecting ANALYSIS will tell you that the door is photon reactive.

To open the door, use the MULTI- LIGHT CONTROL. Use any colour light.

Tia and the other bloke can't fit through the door but conveniently you can. Go in and you will find yourself in the Crew Quarters where you can move around using the green indicators.

FIND THE ORB

When the probe enters the Crew Quarters, it flies to the back chamber. Click forward (middle of the video screen) to go to the front chamber. When you get there, spin 90° to your right where you will be faced by four groups of pods. Click on the bottom right group (of three). The orb is in the upper left pod and is guarded by an

3DO Magazine/July % 22

alien. Click on the pod and be pre- pared to do battle with the alien, who will throw you to the back of the pod. Your laser will automatically become armed so fry the mutha with it and use the GRAPPLE-ARM to grab the orb. Exit the Crew Quarters through the same door that you came in.

From here you go to the Rest-room, which is purely a cinematic sequence, with no interactivity. After the Rest- room, you will travel through the Central Hub and proceed to Door B.

DOOR B (YELLOW DOOR)

You cannot get the Orb in this door, it can be retrieved in the end game only.

When you approach Door B, you need to run an ANALYSIS. This will tell you that the door is photon reactive. It will also say 'POSSIBLE LANGUAGE FOUND.' Record a word, such as YEL- LOW DOOR, it may come in handy later.

HEXAGON PUZZLE

Use the MULTILIGHT and send the colour yellow. This will reveal the Overlapping Hexagon Puzzle in which you must line up various parts of a hexagon to form a complete central hexagon. Taking the top right hexagon as '1' and running clockwise through to '6', click on each hexagon as indicated. First puzzle: '22 333 4444 55555'. Second puzzle: '22 3333 4 555 66666'. Third puzzle: '2 33 444 5555 66666'.

After a somewhat lengthy cinematic, you will take an elevator up to the Observation Deck. Run an ANALYSIS to discover that it's photon reactive. Open the shutters by clicking on the MULTI- LIGHT CONTROL, violet light will do.

You will then be required to solve the Sun Puzzle.

SUN PUZZLE

To solve this puzzle, click on the outer hemispheres until they all become yel- low. Take the lower left hemisphere as 'V and run clockwise through to '6'. The solution is: '1 3 5 6 2 2 6 6'.

Following this, you will come under attack from a host of bloodthirsty Krinn. Your laser will automatically become activated allowing you to join in with the shoot-fest by clicking on the beasts with your mouse. Be careful not to shoot Tia or Zack as it will not be appreciat- ed. You must shoot 10 Krinn to advance.

Advancing means that good old

Zack accidentally blasts a hole in the Observation Deck window and he and Tia get sucked out. To save them , you need to close the shutters. Select the MULTILIGHT CONTROL. Violet light will close them.

During your heroics, the probe takes a knock. Rapidly run DIAGNOSTICS to find out the problem.

PROBE RELAY PUZZLE

The Probe Relay Puzzle will appear which you must solve in a set period of time to survive. To do this, click on the various gates until they are all closed. Take the top right switch as '1', running clockwise to '5' (for the switch with red and blue lights) and finally '9'. The solution is: '3 4 1 2 6 1 4 1 2 9 2 4 1 2 5 12'.

Successfully solving the puzzle will result in you winding up back in the central hub at Door C.

DOOR C (BLUE DOOR)

On approaching Door C, run an ANALYSIS. This will tell you that the door is photon reactive. It will also say 'POSSIBLE LANGUAGE FOUND.' Record a word, such as BLUE DOOR, as it may be useful later.

Use the MULTILIGHT to send the colour blue. This will open to the Door C puzzle which is called the Rhythm Puzzle.

RHYTHM PUZZLE

Arrange the various outer shapes so that they correspond to a complete inner hexagon with no overlapping grey triangles.

An elevator will then take you and your cohorts up to the Meditation Chamber. The hapless Zack screws up again and falls down the elevator shaft. Although it is tempting to leave him there and concentrate on Tia, he will need rescuing if you wish to continue the game. Follow him down the shaft and pull him back up, clicking on thrust (the bottom icon) just before the bottom. Zack will then be dropped back on to the platform and show his gratitude by trying to get off with Tia Carrere in front of your face.

Eventually, you will drop into another NAV movie, allowing you to circle the statue in the Meditation Chamber. Run an ANALYSIS to discover that it's pho- ton reactive. Look for the blue button in the centre of the statue's platform. Click on any colour in the MULTILIGHT CON- TROL. An object will fly out and morph

into the Orbits Puzzle.

ORBITS PUZZLE

Solve this by arranging the four move- able planets in such a way that they make the fifth planet produce an eclipse.

The sky will then morph to a night- time scene with planets and you will enter another navigational movie, enabling you to move back and forth from the planets to the statue. To get the statue to release the hidden Orb, trans- mit the colour sequence found on the outside of the door that led to this Meditation Chamber.

The statue will offer the Orb and Zack will take it. You are then led down the elevator and into the Central Hub.

DOOR B (ORANGE PUZZLE)

You can only retrieve either the Orb or the Claw in this room. One is retrieved in the end game. If neither is retrieved in this cinematic, both must be retrieved in the end game in two trips.

On approaching Door D, run an ANALYSIS to discover that it is photon reactive. It will also say 'POSSIBLE LAN- GUAGE FOUND' so record a word for later use. Using the MULTILIGHT, send the colour orange. This will open to the Door D puzzle which is called the Rotating Shapes Puzzle.

ROTATING SHAPES PUZZLE

The idea of this puzzle is to freeze the various shapes into pairs of matching silhouettes. Stop individual shapes by clicking on them and finely adjust them by clicking on the centre of the puzzle. If you arrange them as shown in the picture, Bob should be your proverbial uncle and you can progress.

The next cinematic leads you into the infirmary and drops you into another NAV movie. Spin to the right and run an ANALYSIS to discover that it's pho- ton reactive. Click on the Orb Holder between the two rightmost sickbay pods. Transmit the colour sequence found outside of Door D.

The Orb Holder will now open. Use the GRAPPLE-ARM to grab the Orb.

RETRIEVING THE CLAW

Spin to the left. Click on the spidery

looking object on the long arm. You will

approach it.

Follow these instructions:

1. Transmit a red MULTILIGHT colour.

Hexagon puzzle.

Sun puzzle.

Probee puzzle.

Rotating Shapes puzzle.

ntinued c

23 3DO Mugazine/Jul) 96

play guide

continued a

Reflection puzzle.

CHEATS

To access all the game's 36

scenes, go to the menu screen

and hold Left Shift, Right Shift

and X, then press C. Use the

Jump To option and press

up/down to cycle through the

To obtain a full set of the data

records you need, hold Left

Shift, Right Shift and X, then

press B. Now when you go to

the Data option ingame, you'll

be able to cycle through all the

various records.

To gain possession of all but

one orb, hold Left Shift, Right

Shift and X, then press A.

2. Turn on the FLOODLIGHT.

3. Go forward.

This will cause the laser to lower.

2. Transmit a blue MULTIUGHT colour. This will cause the laser to morph.

You now need to make three cuts.

3. Transmit violet MULTIUGHT colour - cut#l

4. Transmit orange MULTIUGHT colour - cut #2

5. Transmit violet MULTIUGHT colour - cut #3

Transmitting a green will kill you so it's probably best not to.

After the third cut, the dead alien's claw will be cut off.

Click on the bottom of the video to return to the NAV. Spin to the right until you see the claw, and click on it. Use the GRAPPLE-ARM to pick it up. You will be returned to the Infirmary NAV.

If you already have the Orb, you won't be able to get the claw. You will need to come back and get it during the End Game.

The next cinematic will lead you out of the Infirmary and take you back to the Central Hub and over to Door E.

DOOR E (GREEN DOOR)

When you approach Door E, you need to run an ANALYSIS which will tell you that the door is photon reactive. It will also say 'POSSIBLE LANGUAGE FOUND' so record a word for later use.

Use the MULTIUGHT and send the colour green. This will open to the Door E puzzle which is called the Light Reflection Puzzle.

REFLECTION PUZZLE

Solve this by connecting the beams from like to like colours, as in the picture.

The Krinn screws up the door and Tia and Zack become trapped, leaving you to open the door from the other side. First you must retrieve the Orb. The cinematic drops you into a naviga- tional movie. Spin about-face and click to go forward. Run an ANALYSIS to discover that it's photon reactive. You will come upon an Orb holder. Use the MULTIUGHT to transmit the correct colour sequence found on the outside of Door E.

The Orb holder will open, use the GRAPPLE-ARM to grab hold of it. You are returned to a navigational section. Spin about-face and click to go for- ward. You will be outside the entrance to The Maze.

THE MAZE

Here's how to get to the other side and open the door for Tia and Zack.

1 . Click to go forward. You have now entered the maze.

2. Turn on the FLOODLIGHT.

3. Go forward.

4. Go forward.

5. Turn left and go forward.

6. Go forward, you will pass an upward ramp.

7. Turn left and go forward.

8. Turn left and go forward.

9. Turn left and go forward.

10. Turn right and go forward.

1 1 . Go forward.

You should now be in the hallway of DoorE.

BACK TO MAZE ENTRANCE

There is a little hole in the wall, five chambers to the right of the NAV start point. Click on it to leave the Cryogenics Chamber.

1 . Go forward.

2. Go forward.

3. Turn right and go forward.

4. Go forward.

5. Go forward.

6. Turn right and go forward.

You must now go back through the Maze to Door E corridor.

THE MAZE EASTER EGG

(OPTIONAL - CRYOGENICS CHAMBER)

This section is purely for show and to boost the egos of the programmers.

1 . Click to go forward. You have now entered the maze.

2. Turn on the FLOODLIGHT.

3. Go forward.

4. Go forward.

5. Turn left and go forward.

6. Go forward, -you will pass an upgrade.

7. Turn left and go forward.

8. Turn left and go forward.

9. Turn left and go forward.

10. Turn right and go forward.

1 1 . Go forward.

This brings you to the Cryogenics Chamber. Check out some really ugly people who have met an unfortunate fate.

In order of appearance (moving right) Mark Giambruno, Andy Murdock, Britton Peddie, Drew Vinciguerra, Bill Niemeyer, Eric Chadwick, Laura Hainke Gody Chancellor, Steve Goeckler, Mike Larson

ANOTHER EASTER EGG

There is a little hole in the wall, four chambers to the right of the NAV start

point. This will take you into another room filled with more ugly frozen peo- ple.

In order of appearance: Jay Fitt, Gustavo Ramirez, Marco Bertoldo, Tim O'Meara, John Evershed, Dave Felton Noah Kennedy, Thorn Bishop, Bill Zelinsky, Kirsten Turrigiano, Jim Lively.

DOOR F (PURPLE DOOR)

When you approach Door F, you need to run an ANALYSIS which tells you that the door is photon reactive. It will also say 'POSSIBLE LANGUAGE FOUND.' Record a word as you will need it later.

Use the MULTIUGHT and send the colour purple. This will open to the Door F puzzle which is called Avoid the Triangles Puzzle.

AVOID THE TRIANGLES

It is a pseudo noughts and crosses game where you play against the com- puter to create an unbroken loop of at least four pieces.

You will then enter the Seminary Ring. Run an ANALYSIS to discover that it's photon reactive. You can NAV around by clicking on the NAV indica- tors in the video window. Use the MUL- TIUGHT CONTROL to send a different coloured light to the plates. Certain colours will cause Frescos to appear on the plates. Each plate has two Frescos. Required colours will match the Fresco colour. Click on ANALYSIS to record a word that each Fresco represents. You will need some of these Fresco Words later on, in the Chrysalis Chamber.

Fresco #la - Green

Fresco #2a - Orange

Fresco #3a - Green

Fresco #4a - Red (for good ending)

Fresco #5a - Red

Fresco #6a - Blue

Fresco #7a - Red

Fresco #lb - Blue

Fresco #2b - Red

Fresco #3b - Green

Fresco #4b - Yellow

Fresco #5b - Yellow

Fresco #6b - Blue

Fresco #7b - Red

Exit the Fresco NAV from the plate which you entered.

Tia walks out onto an Orb platform. A force field traps her. Use the word recorded from Door F (it ends with a vertical line downwards) to turn off the force field and save the Indo-Chinese beauty. You have ten seconds to do this otherwise she will die an early death. The cinematic will lead you out back

3DO Magazine/July 96 24

into the Central Hub.

CENTRAL HUB

There are no interactivity points in the Central Hub.

If you have only found one Orb then the sequence plays "At least we have got this." If you've managed to find more than one, it plays "At least we have got these."

You must now return to the game and recover all the Orbs you missed. There are six in total.

END GAME

For all doors in the End Game, start at the Central Hub entry point.

The doors are laid out sequentially in a clockwise fashion, starting at Door A (Red) and proceeding to Door B (Yellow), Door C (Blue), Door D (Orange), Door E (Green), and Door F (Purple).

When returning from a Door in the End Game, you are always returned to the Central Hub looking towards Door A.

DOOR A RED GAME (RED DOOR)

Since you didn't have to open this door at the beginning, you must now solve the Door A puzzle.

When you approach Door A, run an ANALYSIS to discover that it is photon reactive. It will also say 'POSSIBLE LANGUAGE FOUND.' Record a word as you may need it later.

Use the MULTILIGHT CONTROL and send the colour red. This will open to the Door A puzzle which is called the Rubik Hexagon Puzzle.

RUBIK HEXAGON PUZZLE

Rotate the groups of colours until the central pattern resembles that of the one in the top right of the screen, as shown in the picture.

The door will open and you will pro- ceed down Corridor A into the Corridor NAV, where you may spin around 360° to observe the area. Proceed forward down the corridor to the Door A antechamber.

Spin to the right and click on the door with the dead alien. This will lead you into the Crew Quarters.

To find the Orb in the Crew Quarters: When the probe enters the Crew Quarters, it flies to the back chamber. Click forward to go to the front chamber. When you get there, spin 90° to your right where you will be

faced by four groups of pods. Click on the bottom right group (of three). The orb is in the upper left pod and is guarded by an alien. Click on the pod and be prepared to do battle with the alien, who will throw you to the back of the pod. Your laser will automatically become armed so slay the beast and use the GRAPPLE-ARM to grab the orb.

Exit the Crew Quarters by leaving through the door you entered. You are returned to the Door A antechamber. Spin 90° to the left. Click on the door (it is the one right before the one with the alien stuck in it).

You will travel down Corridor A into the Corridor NAV. You may spin around to observe the area. Click to go for- ward, and you will return to the Central Hub.

DOOR B END GAME (YELLOW DOOR)

Spin to the Yellow Door and click on it. Use the MULTILIGHT CONTROL to transmit yellow.

The door will open and you will pro- ceed down Corridor B to the Corridor NAV. Proceed forward down the corri- dor to Door B antechamber.

Spin to the left and click on the door. This will lead you to the Environmental Control. Spin right, you will see an Orb holder. Run an ANALYSIS to discover that it's photon reactive. Click on the Orb holder. Transmit the language that you previously recorded outside the Yellow Door.

The Orb holder will open. Select GRAPPLE-ARM to retrieve the Orb. Click the bottom of the video to go back to the door entrance.

SIGHT SEEING TOUR

If you wish, you can go for a sight-see- ing tour at this stage: Click on the door. You return to the Door B Antechamber. Spin to the left. Click on the door. You will proceed to the Engine Room.

Click to go forward. You will reach the far Hub of the Engine Room. You can spin around 360° to observe the area. Exit from where you entered.

You will return to the main Engine Room NAV. Spin right 1 20°. Click on the path. This will take you to a dead end. Spin around and exit from where you came. You will be returned to the main Engine Room NAV.

Click forward to leave the Engine Room. You will return to Door B antechamber.

Click to go forward through the door

and down Corridor B.

You will reach Corridor B NAV. You may spin around 360° to observe the area. Click to go forward. You will be returned back to the Central Hub.

DOOR C END GAME (BLUE DOOR)

Spin right to the Blue Door and click on it. You will approach the door, use the MULTILIGHT CONTROL to transmit blue. The door will open and you will pro- ceed up the elevator shaft to the Meditation Chamber NAV. This NAV movie allows navigation around the statue in the Meditation Chamber. If you haven't already solved this section, look for the blue button in the centre of the statue's platform. Click on the MULTI- LIGHT CONTROL, any colour will work. A statue pod will fly out and morph into the Orbits Puzzle.

ORBITS PUZZLE

To solve this, arrange the manoeuvrable planets so as to cause an eclipse on the unmanoeuvrable planet.

When you win the Orbits Puzzle, the sky will morph to a night-time scene with planets. This is a NAV movie which will let you NAV back and forth from the planets to the statue. To get the stat- ue to release the hidden Orb, you must transmit the sequence as found outside the Blue Door.

The statue will release the Orb. Select GRAPPLE-ARM to retrieve the Orb and return to the Meditation Chamber NAV.

Spin around behind the statue until you can see the elevator shaft. Click on the hole. You will travel back down the elevator and back to the Central Hub.

DOORD ENDGAME (ORANGE DOOR)

In Door D, there are two items to be retrieved - an Orb and an alien Claw. They can only be retrieved one at a time (the probe only has one GRAPPLE- ARM).

RETRIEVING THE ORB

Spin right four doors to the Orange Door, and click on it. You will approach the door, use the MULTILIGHT CON- TROL to transmit Orange.

The door will open and you will pro- ceed down Corridor D to the Corridor D NAV. You may spin around 360° to observe the area. Proceed forward down the corridor to the Infirmary.

In the Infirmary NAV movie, spin to

Rubik's puzzle.

Mistakes will be fatal...

Ari tiptoes toward an Orb.

continued over- s

25 3DO Magazine/July 96

play guide

Saving patterns is crucial.

A forcefield could save you.

continued > the right. Click on the Orb holder (it is between the 2nd and 3rd leftmost sick- bay pods). Transmit the colour sequence originally found outside Orange Door.

The Orb holder will open. Use the GRAPPLE-ARM to grab the Orb. You are returned to the NAY

RETRIEVING THE CLAW

If you already have the Orb, you won't be able to get the Claw.

But if you haven't, then spin to the left. Click on the spidery looking object on the long arm. You will approach it.

Follow these instructions:

1 . Transmit a red MULTIUGHT colour. This will cause the laser to lower.

2. Transmit a blue MULTIUGHT colour. This will cause the laser to morph. You now need to make three cuts.

3. Transmit orange MULTIUGHT colour - cut#l

4. Transmit yellow MULTIUGHT colour - cut #2

5. Transmit purple MULTIUGHT colour - cut #3

Transmitting a green will kill you so it's probably best not to.

After the third cut, the dead alien's claw will be cut off.

Click on the bottom of the video to return to the NAV. Spin to the right until you see the claw, and click on it. Use the GRAPPLE-ARM to pick it up. You will be returned to the Infirmary NAV.

Click to go forward through the door and down Corridor D. You will reach Corridor D NAV and may spin around 360~ to observe the area. Click to go forward. You will be returned to the Central Hub.

The Queen emerges..

but things are going wrong.

DOOR E END GAME (GREEN DOOR)

Spin right five doors to the Green Door and click on it. You will approach the door, use the MULTIUGHT CONTROL to transmit green.

The door will open and you will pro- ceed down corridor E to the Corridor E NAV, where you may spin around 360° to observe the area. Proceed forward to the Farm Area.

You will end up facing the entrance to The Maze. Spin about-face and go for- ward. You will come upon an Orb holder. Transmit the sequence found outside the Green Door.

The Orb holder will open, use the GRAPPLE-ARM to retrieve the Orb. You are returned to the Farm Area NAV and will have to find your way back.

THE MAZE

Here's how to get to the other side and open the door for Tia and Zack.

1 . Click to go forward. You have now entered the maze.

2. Turn on the FLOODUGHT.

3. Go forward.

4. Go forward.

5. Turn left and go forward.

6. Go forward, you will pass an upgrade.

7. Turn left and go forward.

8. Turn left and go forward.

9. Turn left and go forward.

1 0. Turn right and go forward.

1 1 . Go forward.

Turn left when you exit the Maze and you will find your way back to the Central Hub.

DOOR F END GAME (PURPLE DOOR)

In Door F there are no items to be retrieved - Tia gets the Orb in the cine- matic. This door is used to review the Frescos. They are visual clues to solving the game.

Spin left one door to the Purple Door and click on it. You will approach the door, use the MULTIUGHT CONTROL to transmit purple.

The door will open and you will pro- ceed down Corridor F to the Corridor F NAV. You may spin around 360° to observe the area. Proceed forward down the corridor to the Seminary.

Click on the door to the left. Enter the back chamber of the Seminary. Spin about-face. Go through the door and back to the main chamber of the Seminary. Spin to face the Frescos.

Click on the Fresco plate, you will now enter the Fresco NAV. Use the MULTI- UGHT CONTROL to end a different coloured light to the plates. Certain colours will cause Frescos to appear on the plates. Each plate has two Frescos. Required colours will match the Fresco colour. Click on ANALYSIS to record a word that each Fresco represents. You will need some of these Fresco Words later on, in the Chrysalis Chamber. It is advisable not to record every single Fresco as your database will become full, causing problems later on.

Fresco #1 a - Green

Fresco #2a - Orange

Fresco #3a - Purple

Fresco #4a - Red (for good ending)

Fresco #5a - Red

Fresco #6a - Orange

Fresco #7a - Red

Fresco #1b - Blue

Fresco #2b - Red

Fresco #3b - Blue

Fresco #4b - Yellow

Fresco #5b - Blue

Fresco #6b - Yellow

Fresco #7b - Yellow

Exit the Fresco NAV from the plate which you entered. Go forward through the door and down Corridor F into another NAV, where again you may spin around 360°° to observe the area. Go forward to the Central Hub.

CHRYSALIS

Once you have found all six Orbs, some weird stuff happens. To progress, you need the Claw which, if you gave it to him, Zack discarded on the floor. Look around the Central Hub until you find it and pick it up with the GRAPPLE-ARM.

Tia and Zack go up the Central Hub chamber and the Chrysalis chamber.

You fly to the Priest. Analyse the alien and get two multi-light patterns.

The alien sees Tia and Zack and starts coming towards them. Send one of the Fresco Words (Fresco #1 ) to communi- cate with the alien.

If you then send the correct Fresco Word (Fresco #4), you'll get...

STAR TREK ENDING

The Alien puts up a force field that reduces the temperature. A second Fresco Word needs to be sent to tell the Alien to protect the ship. If the wrong word is sent, or none at all, then you fry in the burning Artemis and the game ends. If the correct Fresco Word is sent then the happy cinematic plays.

ALIENS ENDING

If the incorrect Fresco Word is sent to the alien, or nothing sent at all, then it attacks. A battle begins and the Priest must be killed. If it is not killed then the game ends.

If the Priest is killed then the Queen comes out of the shell and begins to attack. You have to lower the light beams so that the alien can be killed. This is done by transmitting the MULTIUGHT sequence obtained from the Priest. If it isn't transmitted, everyone dies.

If it is transmitted then the Queen is killed and you must solve the final Navigation Puzzle in order to navigate the ship away from the sun. If the puzzle is solved then the ship moves away from the sun and the game ends. Otherwise, everyone dies a tragic death. □ ssw

3 DO Magazine

3DO Magazine/July %

letters

recently wrote a letter to you praising your maga- zine, which I have been an avid reader of since issue one, and which has been of an extremely high standard until now. The rather insubstantial issue 1 0 is, however, an extremely disap- pointing effort on your port.

1) I would have thought that the jus- tification for going monthly would have been that there was sufficient material to support a full size mag- azine each month, but you have already reduced the size of your magazine from 68 pages (in issue

1 -9] to 36 pages in issue 1 0 to allow you to publish on a monthly basis. In addition, four game reviews in one issue would not seem to justify monthly publishing. The primary 'justification' to read- ers for us going monthly was that was what they wanted. We received constant complaints from people that two months was too long to wait for information on their games system, the latest news, reviews etc, which is quite obvious. The main reason we did- n't go monthly was that arranging demo's would be a huge problem - and as it turns out ifs worse than we expected.

The reason we had to go monthly was economics. A bimonthly magazine has, obvious- ly, twice the per issue overhead costs (staffing, rent, computers etc.) as a monthly one. When the 3DO market began to decline, Paragon could no longer justify supporting these costs. Initially, we expected to maintain the magazine's size when it went monthly, and even added an expensive jewel-box case to increase the quality feel - issue 8 was intended to be the first monthly issue. Unfortunately, after Xmas many companies switched their focus to PlayStation, GoldStar pulled out of the console market, Panasonic and Studio 3DO cut back their European offices... and overall advertising revenue practi- cally vanished.

2) I also note that the cover price remains at £5.99; so you are there- fore charging £1 2 for what was previously available at £6 by putting two issues what was previ- ously in one bimonthly issue. Doubling the cost for the same out- put? Is inflation that rampant? Or do the words 'rip-off' spring to mind.

The main economic benefit of dou- bling the frequency of the maga- zine is the halving of per issue overheads. The actual size of the magazine is determined by the amount of advertising we attract per issue. It's doubtful we could afford to do 3DO Magazine bimonthly now. If we did, it would be 36 pages every two months rather than, as now, 36 pages per

month.

On the subject of rip-offs, apart from a special offer in issue one, the subscription price of 12 issues has been £45 ever since. Since pagination began to decline, we've added freebies, such as a joypad or Studio 3DO game, to compensate for the decline in pag- ination. We're also offering games to our subscribers at rock bottom prices - with minimal profit mar- gin. For subscribers, we think the value-for-money is acceptable. News-stand prices, where distribu- tors and newsagents take half the revenue, are really beyond our control.

3) Next point: the cover disc - okay, so your first choice wasn't available - but how about some- thing new, as opposed to what was previously supplied with issue 2. Or in extreme circumstances, no cover disc and a drop in price? Snov/job was axed because of the costs of BBFC certification. US Gold simply refused to authorise a Johnny Bazookatone demo. 3DO Decathlon was massively delayed. Interplay refused permission for their demos. And so on. This issue we were confident of US Gold's Olympic Games, before that too got delayed. We are trying... Also, there are a lot of new 3DO owners attracted by the lower price who have asked to see the old demos. 4} One final point - just to be pedantic - you printed a letter which had already appeared in a previous issue. Perhaps you should consider reprinting M Cattel's letter for a 3rd consecutive month as I doubt that you will be receiving too many complimentary letters from long-time readers regarding issue 10.

Each issue, there are one or two letters typed up but which we don't have space for. These are put in a computer file and used next month with new letters. Mr Cartel's was mistakenly put in this file. Sorry for that, but as I hope the letters below make clear we do still have readers eager to stay with us.

5) You have something of a captive market for 3DO owners in desper- ate need of a good magazine, but I'm sure if issue 10 is the shape of things to come, there will be a lot of un-renewed subscriptions and many copies of 3DO Magazine sitting unsold on the shelf. The gap between 3DO I and M2 is proving a lot bigger than many people expected. Despite the extreme economic harshness of the European 3DO scene, we want to continue producing the magazine and take it through to M2. As long as our subscribers support us, we'll try our best to do stick with it. There's a lot more to say about 3DO I - especially for new owners

eager to catch up on those brilliant backcatalog games - and each issue brings forward more exciting M2 news. There's undoubtedly no format more packed with potential and true next generation gaming than Matsushita's Mbit monster. It would be a pity if people didn't stay with us until then. Yours hoping that issue 1 0 was an isolated case. Neil Armstrong, Tonbridge, Kent.

irstly I would like to say how much I enjoyed your recent issue. It makes a pleasant change to see a magazine supporting the 3DO rather than berating it. I have only had mine for a month and I am very pleased with it. My friend and I were totally gobsmacked when we played Space Hulk for the first time. My friend bought one the following day and his friend shortly there- after. So we are having a bit of a 3DO revival here in Darlington, it's a pity I'm not on commission!

One of the reasons I was writ- ing was I have heard about a few problems with the GoldStar machines, is this true? I have had problems with Space Hulk locking up but I thought the program was faulty. Also, what view do you take on the second-hand games market. I have to admit I have bought one myself [Shock Wave), but I am con- cerned by how many shops do sell them. How do you view the situa- tion, is it cause for concern or not? Richard Farrell, Darlington.

Welcome to the clubl There's a huge array of excellent games for you to catch up with ana, what's more, not only are plenty of them available second-hand but new games are available on special offer (such as our subscribers' deal, for example). Given the global market superconsoles must serve, I do not think sales in the UK will have any effect on the pro- duction of 3DO software. The GoldStar machine is fully compati- ble with old 3DO games, NTSC imports as well as UK PAL games, but can be glitchy on Space Hulk. Some readers have asked EA to exchange the game (see below), while others have found using the cheat ABRACADABRA on the main hallway screen gets around most problems. (D-Down, R=Right, A=A, etc.). Remember to hold down Right Shift while inputting the cheat, which brings up a com- prehensive menu.

'm writing to you as I'm the proua owner of a brand-spanking new FZ- 1 0. I decided it was time to upgrade from my trusty Amiga 600. The system came with FIFA Soccer and StarBlade, to which I've

added Theme Park, Road Rash, Space Hulk, ShockWave and Alone In The Dark, all of which are excel- lent titles.

With my impressive array of titles, I invited some of my old Amiga pals around to see what they think and they all now want one. We all agreed that the price/ performance and 64bit future is a far better deal than the Saturn and PlayStation, despite having slightly superior capabilities and some very sexy games.

As I'm new to the scene, I natu- rally have a few questions, forgive me if they've been asked a thou- sand times before. 1) Do you know what CD+G discs are available and where you can get them from?

CD+G discs, essentially music discs with data encoded to allow crude Teletext-type graphics and some- times lyrics to be displayed on a TV have not been a great success. I seem to remember one of Lou Reed's CDs a few years back had CD+G, but overall the system has sunk without a trace. Have any readers any experience of it? 2} Is there a 3DO VideoCD upgrade like the CDi? Only in Japan - plans to release such a system here were scrapped when M2 was announced, as it has VideoCD compatibility includ- ed for free.

3) Do you need a special camera and film to obtain PhotoCD, and how expensive is it all? PhotoCD is a Kodak-developed process for putting family snaps on a CD, for slideshow-type presenta- tion on your TV. While dedicated players cost several hundred pounds, the 3DO multiplexer includes it as standard - complete with whizzy zoom and rotate actions. The cost of putting snaps on CD involves £5 for the CD and a per image price of about £1, declining to roughly 70p for 40 or more images. The process works off normal film negatives and is available in most towns through Kodak -supported developers. That's all my queries over with, I look forward to knowing the answers and to the next issue. Thanks! Jeremy Marrs, Isle Of Wight.

have been reading your magazine since issue three and I think it is great. 1 am one of the few people that think that your rat- ing system is spot on, as it is true that people have different opinions on games.

I bought the Need For Speed over a year ago and it is still my number two game, just behind Slam 'N Jam '95, and although it is very easy to win the hook just does- n't go away!

Please address all mail to: 3 DO Interactive Paragon Publishing, Paragon House, St. Peter's Road Bournemouth BH1 2JS or Fax us on 01202 299955 or e-mail us ah

http://www.paragon.co.uk/3do.

I would like to introduce myself, I am a lucky man. I've had 'em all, the last one to be draped over my desk was a little beige number with keys in all the right places. Before her I've been seen playing with sexy black ones and mucky white and grey also.

16, 32, 64 - I don't care, when I was younger I even used the 8's, but they don't chew the bit any more. My passion was aiming high, she was grey with a flat round top, I'd seen the adverts begging me to play with her. I entered the shop ready to part with my money. But wait, what's this silver grey number on the bottom shelf. "A lot cheaper," I say to the man on my right. He counters with "Yes, but old, sir." I question him about saving myself, his smile drops whilst mentioning another wad of money needed on the younger model.

"I like my playthings imported sometimes," I say. This time his smile smashes as it hits the floor. I pay my money, and with the money I've saved, I buy soft things for my new girls to ware. Yes, I am a happy man.

Seriously, it's cheaper, it's got some save game RAM, you don't need an adapter for imports or more pads. It's got a back catalog of two years. The software's cheaper and better. Need I say more? Sega, Sony, go on holiday, 3DO and M2 are back in town. Me, I'm off to marry my console! Vaughan Jackson, Doncaster.

Erfi...

3DO 10. A touch too much?

continued over >

27 3DO Magazine/July 96

letters

continued >

The aged but fun Crash 'N' Burn,

the 3D0's elusive (in the UK)

launch title

Greetings from across the pond! I am a 3DO gamer from America (Pennsylvania to be precise). Due to the lack of QUALITY 3DO publica- tions in the U.S., I was forced to search elsewhere for a magazine with the same love and respect for the 3DO system as I do. I heard of your publication on the Internet, so I called and subscribed. What a great magazine!! It's everything thai maga- zines in the U.S. are not. I get all the latest news and reviews for the great- est interactive player on the planet. In the Interactive section of issue #8, an individual wrote of the cost for 3DO Magazine being too high. Thai may be so, however I have lo pay, not only for the magazine, but also air mail in order to receive il! And it's worth every penny (or, in your case, every quid). Well, I guess that's all I have to say. If any of your readers wish to talk 3DO American- style, feel free lo e-mail me! I am always up for talking with fellow 3DO gamers. Dan Bender, benderd@cobe.com.

Stuart Marshall extends his

respect to Electronic Arts for

Foes Of All

M2 Racing: All change. See Stuart C.

1) On the subject of racing games, I have heard of a shoof-'em-up racer called Crash 'n' Burn which has been compared to the likes of WipeOuf. If it's such a good game, why wasn't it released in this coun- try? I have been contemplating whether to buy it on import but I don't know how badly it will letter- box on my PAL system.

Crash 'N' Burn still crops up on internet newsgroups as a fun blast from the past. The FMV acting was notoriously poor, but payability was good with plenty of chal- lenge, stunning visuals and awe- some weapons.

The game was actually written alongside the 3DO OS, which was occasionally reworked to suit the game - since it was the pack-in title, the machine itself couldn't ship until Crash 'N' Burn was com- plete. Unsurprisingly some short- cuts were taken in the game pro- gramming - which made it incom- patible with PAL machines (it tends to lack-up during races) and even some of the newer NTSC machines.

2) On Killing Time, I cannot find the flamethrower. Where is it? Also, on some of the screenshots of Killing Time there was a weapon appar- ently not in the game. It seems to be a rod with a couple of rings on the end. What was It? Why can't you save the game on the attic lev- els of Killing Time?

The flamethrower can be found in the sewers, bear right in the court- yard to find the sewer's entrance. We've never seen any wand weapon ourselves, although the Victorian -style flamethrower does look a little like a wand. As for the lack of a save, that kicks in just at the game's final stages - which I find amazing you've reached with- out collecting the flamethrower!

3) I have noticed that the games Power Slide and Dino Park Tycoon have been withdrawn from your Coming Soon list. Will they still be released?

D'mo Park Tycoon has been released in America, but as a weak edutainment clone of Theme Park it's unlikely to appear in the UK. Power Slide has been can- celled on a variety of platforms. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next issue. Luke Martin, Surrey.

would like to thank Electronic Arts for their help concerning Space Hulk, as I own a GoldStar machine and found the game to be incompatible. They let me exchange it for another title, so I chose Foes OfAli. I can't believe you only gave il four stars. I think it deserves at least seven stars (and I don't care if you only give games five stars!). To tell you the truth, it made me decide to put off selling my 3DO for a while. Why don't companies see the true power of the 3DO console and release more games for it. Games like The Need For Speed and Foes OfAli prove the 3DO is better than the PlayStation, so what's the problem?

What we do need is a game like Sega Rally (thanks a lot Elite for dropping Powerslide, you really ore not smart!), along with a Virtua Fighter-type game [Ali shows the 3DO is capable, its graphics are much better than Tekken), and a

decent Virtua Cop-style game (that will support the Game Gun on PAL televisions). Do I sound like a Saturn fan? Well, can I help it if it beats the 3DO for new games, and the PlayStation at everything?

NHL postponed until the sum- mer? How about a decent basket- ball game, say NBA Live '96. Slam 'N' Jam was awful, and Acclaim couldn't release a good game if they were held al gunpoint and made to play Demolition Man all day!

Listen to me now. Quiet! Pay attention, I will this only as many times as it takes to get you to stop mentioning M2 when someone asks if such and such game will be released. Nobody owns an M2 yet. Most people haven't even seen one running. It is not due out here for another 27 years, so you have been warned.

Why are the texture-mapped walls in PO'ed so appalling? Your demo features some of the worst texture-mapping I have ever seen! From a distance if is bearable, but up close, the walls disintegrate into blobs and float about. Also, the weapons in the game are mostly all useless. I must say I was extremely disappointed with the demo of PO'ed, while it does become enter- taining after a few goes (after the shock of the crap graphics!), it does look extremely amateur. I for one will not buy it.

Lastly, I think all 3DO-support- ing companies should start to advertise the 3DO console in pub- lic. It is still not too late for the 3DO to make a come-back. The only reason I was going to sell my 3DO was that I was scared I was going to be left with a useless console, like the CD32 or Jaguar, and the M2 add-on for the GoldStar machine looked doubtful. Let's start a 3DO revival campaign! Now! Stuart Marshall, Fife.

Need For Speed, Foes Of Ali and StarFighter prove that the 3DO system is fully capable of compet- ing with rival consoles and, indeed, its games seem better tar- geted for the more mature buyer. A year ago, a £199 3DO would've been regarded as a sure-fire hit. Today, it's regarded sceptically by those who know about it - mainly early adopter game fanatics eagerly awaiting N64 and M2 - while the mass market which would most appreci- ate such a value-for- money machine (and its superlative back catalog of games) are largely ignorant of it. Although 3DO has enjoyed substantial success in America and, particularly, Japan, in Europe the system seems to have become the ultimate cult machine - fiercely loved by its owners, a mystery to everyone else.

On tfie subject of new games, we'd love to say Powerslide hadn't been cancelled and Wargods was for 3DO I, not M2, but it's simply not the case. For games develop- ers, 3D0's toughest competition isn't PlayStation but M2. The bril- liantly designed devkit, firmly built on the user-friendly 3DO I system, means games begun for 3D0 I - such as Descent, Disrvptor 7 etc. - are easily switched to M2. Questions about this or that game for 3D0 I inevitably turn to M2 as

that's where so many of them are moving. After all, early rumours suggested M2 might ship as early as last Xmas. In our opinion, we can only take it as a positive sign that so many people share our faith in M2, which will after all be offered as an upgrade to existing 3DO I owners.

On the subject of PO'ed, there are some graphical glitches but overall the graphics are quite amazing with some truly alien landscapes and creatures. Moreover, PO'ed gives a full six degrees of movements and a huge variety of stunning weapons. If you've the patience for such a tough, demanding and, yes, occa- sionally glitchy game it more than rewards you. PO'ed also happens to be an example of that dying breed - a small, start-up develop- er. The scarcity of such program- mers nowadays is a reflection of the costs of 32bit games develop- ment in time, people and devkits - and, as you point out, peoples' expectations of games are rising all the time...

mello. Just thought I'd drop you a line as a happy, contented and well adjusted 3DO owner. Living in a world of headless chickenesque fellow owners I feel I must speak out as a voice of calm and reason. I'm hoppy with my 3DO. I love my 3DO. I would not change my 3DO for another con- sole type thingummy, like a Pi... (censored due to blasphemous nature.)

What we must realise is that our little darling is two years older than its fellow consoles. We've had a good run guys and gals and we should be proud of ourselves. We've suffered through bad press, poor release times lack of advertis- ing and we're winning through. Everyone attacks 3D0 Magazine for citing the two letters M2 in reply to all criticisms, but I feel I have to agree with all you at the magazine. 3DO mark one was really almost a "warm up" for all those at 3DO. We all know that they had started on M2 as 3DO I was released. Now, do I hear cries of "we've been used!" "practice run!". Calm ye gentlefolk. Look at it this way. We got great games first, and we got them before the other consoles were even around. Now we are seeing ports of 3DO games appearing on the Pi., in vastly infe- rior form to our own. We also have the satisfaction to know that without our support in sticking with 3DO, there would not be any 3DO M2 around to knock the socks off the competition. No customers means no aosh and that is more equivalent to go to jail than pass go. One quote here "M2 looks like the first console to live up to its hype" and that from an industry expert (I for- get the name.) Quit complaining. Stiff upper lip eh? So there. davepeto@etoncomp.demon.co.uk

am a keen next genera- tion gamer and previous owner of a Sony PlayStation which I sold roughly one week after experienc- ing the stunned disbelief which 3DO's M2 demo inflicted upon all who saw it. So in anticipation of what should be an incredible piece

of kit, I want to ask for your best guesses in response to the ques- tions which everybody wants to know and nobody wants to answer.

1) When will M2 hit Japan, the USA and the UK?

M2 is currently scheduled for Christmas in Japan, Spring America and Autumn in Europe. The NTSC Japanese upgrade may, however, be compatible with UK systems.

2) Could those ace demos featured in issue 5 run on a real M2 on the fly with or without game code and, if so, could it run Model 1 games with graphics of this quality? According to 3DO, the games were based around M2's real capabilities which are significant- ly superior to Sega's Model One arcade board.

3) When Hugh Martin says an upgraded (arcade spec) M2 is only 30% more powerful than Sega Model 2 is he just comparing raw polygon counts, or allowing for the greater range of effects in M2?

The main factor in the claim seems to be processing power and polygon count. Remember, David Jones of DMA Design esti- mated a standard home console M2 had superior overall perfor- mance to Sega's Model 2.

4) With M2 delayed, will Matsushita be taking advantage of next generation components, incorporating a PPC604 as the CPU for example?

The PowerPC 602 CPU was designed specifically for relative- ly low-cost consumer items and further modified to suit M2. The 604 is designed for desktop com- puters and would not be appro- priate for M2. However, as reported last issue Matsushita are considering putting a second 602 into the M2 console, along with other tweaks including possibly increasing its SDRAM memory - which would have a huge impact on its performance.

5) Why have M2's performance claims dropped to 500,000 poly- gons. Previously it was 700,000. Has M2 not achieved its original spec or is this simply a refreshing honesty being shown by Mr Hawkins.

As far as we're aware, the offi- cial specs for M2 remain one mil- lion polygons per second (inci- dentally the same count as for Sega's Model 3 board) and 750,000 with all effects utilised. Some developers have claimed actual performance is dropping below these claims, but Matsushita are investigating ways to get around this, such as the second CPU.

6) Is M2 Racing, the stunning hovercar demo from the E3 show, going to be the very first game for M2?

The hovercars have been replaced by BMWs and Ferrari's, but the renamed IMSA Racing is already looking very impressive in Studio 3DO's offices and should indeed be one of the first M2 releases. We can't wait! I challenge you to answer all the questions! Stuart C.j Milton Keynes.

3DO Magazine

3DO Magazine/July 96 28

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