EXPERTISE
Everyone knows how hard it can be to get through a "tough" adventure game. It can take not just months, but even years to "crack" a game and reach the final goal. And how many problems do our computer wizards face when mastering new flight simulators, spaceships, submarines, and other technology? There are also other games that, for various reasons, require detailed descriptions.
The "EXPERTISE" section is designed to help all computer game enthusiasts thoroughly understand difficult games. We invite anyone who can write a worthy expert analysis of an interesting game to collaborate.
As a demonstration, we offer you our description of the program NARCOPOLICE, released in 1990 by DINAMIC.
NARCOPOLICE
DINAMIC 1990
A large mafia group involved in the production and distribution of drugs has settled on a small uninhabited island. The police managed to track down the cocaine producers and send three assault teams to the drug mafia's hideout. Since the mafiosi decided to stand their ground, the assault teams were ordered to eliminate anyone who resisted law enforcement on the spot.
You are invited to lead the operation. The main task is to find and destroy the laboratory where cocaine is produced (COCAINE PROCESSING LABORATORY), abbreviated as CPL.
PREPARATION FOR THE OPERATION.
______________________
After loading the game, press "SPACE" to access the game setup menu:
1. START (start the game)
2. WEAPON (select weapon)
3. TUNNEL (select tunnel)
4. CONTROL (select control)
WEAPON
-----
Here you can choose a variety of weapons for each of the three groups:
CARTRIDGE 12 CAL Standard
4 SUBMUNICION 12-caliber
cartridges
AA-1 CARTRIDGE 12 CAL Explosive
INCLUDE EXPLOSIVES 12-caliber
cartridges
T-71 50mm MINI-MISSILE Mini-
missiles
T-71 50mm Missiles with
EXPANSIVE VARHEAD cumulative
warhead
T-71 50mm Missiles with
EXPLOSIVE VARHEAD explosive
warhead
REMOTE CONTROL Remote-controlled
EXPLOSIVES bomb
ADVANCED MEDICAL KIT Modified
INCLUDE AUTODIAGNOSTIC medical
SISTEM: ADS-SMG 11 kit with
autodiagnostic
system
MULTI-PURPOSE UNIT. Multifunctional
MILITARY SUPLIES. kit.
SHORT RANGE ACTION. Military
support.
Short-range
action.
T9-"TURTLE" Multi-layered
BULLET PROOF plastic
PLASTIC STRUCTUR bulletproof
vest "TURTLE"
The total weight of weapons for each group must not exceed 500 kg.
The left column of numbers shows what is available in the ammunition stock, while the right shows what you have with you.
You can view the names and tactical-technical data of the types of weapons by hovering the cursor over the item image and pressing FIRE.
You face a challenging choice. On one hand, you can issue a large number of cartridges to each group and leave everyone without missiles. In this case, you will provide yourself with decent protection against mafia gunmen, but you will not be able to get past the armored doors found in the depths of the maze. These doors can only be destroyed with missiles that have cumulative warheads. If you don't have them, consider your mission failed.
On the other hand, if you bet on heavy missiles, you may run out of cartridges for successfully overcoming the armed-to-the-teeth gunmen's cordons.
Similar problems may arise with other equipment items.
For example, there are only two MULTIFUNCTIONAL KITS that have teleportation devices. Some group will have to go without a kit. As compensation, you can issue an additional medical kit to that group.
Remember that the success of the operation largely depends on how you arm your assault teams.
Brief characteristics of the weapons:
Standard cartridges: used to eliminate unarmored gunmen.
Explosive cartridges: effective when firing at machine guns mounted on tunnel walls, cameras, and gunmen protected by bulletproof vests.
Mini-missiles: not very effective, can be used to eliminate gunmen and other unarmored targets.
Missiles with cumulative warheads: used to destroy armored doors.
Explosive missiles: used to destroy the defensive fortifications of gunmen, vehicles, etc.
Remote-controlled bomb: intended for destroying the cocaine production laboratory.
Medical kit: necessary for emergency treatment and recovery.
Multifunctional kit: used to call a support group using the built-in teleportation device.
Bulletproof vest "TURTLE": protects against bullets and grenade shrapnel.
TUNNEL
-----
After selecting this option, you will see a map of the island with entry points to the tunnels marked on it. There are a total of five tunnels. You can position the groups as you wish.
CONTROL
-----
Standard set of options for selecting controls.
START
-----
After the preparation phase, you proceed directly to the game.
COMBAT ACTIONS.
________________
Each assault group consists of five members. After loading the main part of the game, you always start working with the first group.
At the top of the screen, you will see a panel displaying the current physical condition of the assault member, the direction of group movement (compass), the availability of the teleportation system, the type of cartridges present in the assault rifle's magazine, as well as information about the bulletproof vest and medical kit.
You can judge your subordinates' physical condition by the oscillogram: if the white dot moves quickly, everything is fine; if it moves slowly, it means the person is in critical condition and needs medical assistance. On the right is the information display of the combat computer, which allows you to give orders to any group. Type the command DIR on the keyboard and press "ENTER". You will gain access to the combat computer commands. Commands can be entered directly from the game as well as from the pause mode (P).
COMMAND LIST.
G1 - call the first group.
G2 - call the second group.
G3 - call the third group.
M1 - launch mini-missile.
M2 - launch cumulative missile.
M3 - launch explosive missile.
C - view information about groups.
ABORT - return to the start of the game.
SC - replenish the group composition via the teleportation device.
P - pause.
CONT - continue the game.
K - activate the medical kit.
SE - set the bomb.
T - set the teleporter.
LI - connect to the monitor.
GO - exit to the next level.
To replenish the group with reservists (five people), you need to:
1) Set the teleporter (T).
2) Call the reservist (SC).
If you did everything correctly and the replenishing group has a teleporter, the computer will inform you that one soldier has been teleported. To call more reservists (up to five), you only need to issue the SC command now. Somewhere deep in the maze, you may encounter monitors connected to the mafia's computer network. If you engage in dialogue with this system, you can make your life easier by disabling cameras, wall-mounted machine guns, and opening armored doors in the corridors. Thus, you can save your strength.
When a monitor descends directly in front of your assault member and the message "MONITOR READY" appears on the combat computer display, issue the command LI (LIST). Your computer will receive the response "CONNECT," which means you have connected to the network. By issuing the DIR command, you will be able to review the list of commands of the mafia computer network.
COMMAND LIST.
-------------
OD (OPEN DOOR) - open the door.
DG (DISCONNECT GUNS) - disconnect machine guns.
DC (DISCONNECT CAMERAS) - disconnect cameras.
S (?) - unknown command.
M (MAP?) - map?
L (LOGOFF) - exit.
The OD command opens one of the doors in the tunnel, and the computer immediately informs you of the tunnel and door numbers. The DG and DC commands disable all machine guns and cameras in the sector.
Special attention should be given to the S and M commands. These commands always return the message: "No data." There are speculations that the M command should display the sector map, but this is just a guess. The S command remains unrecognized.
It is better to fire at enemies when your assault member is in the center of the tunnel. In this case, you will have space to maneuver, and you can dodge enemy grenades.
When you need to change the type of cartridges in the assault rifle's magazine, press "DOWN" (joystick down).
All groups act independently of each other, and it may happen that one of the groups reaches the exit to the second level first. In this case, it is advisable to temporarily leave this group before the exit and attend to the others. It is quite possible that some unit will reach the exit to the second level with fewer losses. This unit should cross the boundary between levels, as only one group can proceed further. When the message "EXIT TO NEXT LEVEL" appears on the combat computer display, enter the command GO - and you will proceed to the second level.
When you reach the laboratory, the computer will inform you: "CPL IN RANGE." You will need to set the bomb (command SE) and then issue the ACTIVATE command and move to a safe distance. If you do this, the CPL will be destroyed, and your mission will be successfully completed. Good luck!
CHEAT P.S. And now a few words for those who do not bother with honest gaming but enjoy all sorts of so-called "eternal lives," "transparencies," and other "tricks." The rest, except for the curious, can skip this postscript.
The combat computer also responds to several commands unrelated to the game.
CONGRA - allows you to jump straight to the second level of the game.
MUNICION - this command increases the number of ammunition for your group.
NOENEMIG - after entering this command, the maze is completely cleared of enemies as if by magic.
COMENZAR - this command is for real men. It restores justice and returns all mafiosi to the empty maze.
* * *
Contents of the publication: Spectrofon #00
- Вступление
Introduction of a new monthly electronic magazine 'Spectrofon' for ZX Spectrum enthusiasts, focusing on gaming. Sections include game analysis, beginner's guides, software reviews, and a user forum. The magazine will be available on a 5-inch TR-DOS diskette.
- Экспертиза
Detailed guidance for the game NARCOPOLICE from Dinamic, 1990, focusing on strategy for weapon selection, group management, and navigating challenges in a drug cartel setting. Players are tasked to lead a police operation on an island, eliminating a cocaine processing lab. Includes cheat codes for those interested in bypassing regular gameplay.
- Дебют
Challenges in starting complex games due to lack of descriptions and language barriers. Importance of informative guides for Russian players. Introduction to the 'Debut' section for essential game start tips.
- Обзор
Analysis of dwindling software from the West for ZX Spectrum and a focus on local game releases and ratings.
- С миру по биту
Dedicated section for readers' letters. Encouragement to send observations and game comments. Aims to establish a direct communication line.
- Система
Discussion on the importance of application programs in computer magazines and support for Russian developers. Introduction of a Programmer Support Center for promoting software. Encouragement for developers to submit descriptions of their programs for publication.
