BATTLE COMMAND Spectrum 128k, Amstrad CPC Disk INTRODUCTION Set in a near future alternate reality, Battle Command is an arcade/strategy game which allows you to command a single Mauler assault tank in one of a series of scenarios (Missions) in the Ultra War, fought between the two dominant races in the New World. The latest phase of the North/South war has been going on for over 10 years, with a World War 1 situation eventually developing - a standoff between armies massed over a long duo-in battle front. Such are the defensive capabilities of each side, full scale attacks are suicidal, so any offensive moves are, by necessity, small "behind the lines" actions performed by elite troops in specially designed vehicles. The Mauler is the latest such machine - an Armoured Fighting Machine capable of being lifted in and out of hostile territory by a fast Stealth Chopper (the Helicarrier) and armed with the most advanced weaponry science can devise. Try reading through the Your First Mission section to get the hang of how to play Battle Command. Above all, remember that you're fighting behind enemy lines on your own, with only quick thinking and several millions of Credits worth of military hardware to protect you. LOADING Amstrad Disk Place the disk in the drive with the side labelled 'BOOT DISK' facing up. Type RWDISK and press return. When the game asks for the "MISSION DISK" please turn the "BOOT DISK" over. Spectrum Tape +2/+3 Place the tape fully rewound with side 1 facing upwards in the cassette deck. Press RETURM on the computer, and when prompted press PLAY on the cassette deck. When the game asks for the "MISSION TAPE" please turn the cassette over and rewind it to the start of side 2. Click on the 'START GAME' icon and set the tape running. The clock cursor will become a pointer when the mission directory has been loaded. The relevant mission can no be located on the tape by clicking on the 'SEARCH' icon whilst in mission selection. When a mission has been located its relevant indicator will flash on the mission menu. To load that mission, click on the'SELECT' icon. Save Game Option To save your current mission(s) select STATUS and then select SAVE option. You will then be given a code (write this code down). After the game has been saved the game may then be continued. To load a previously saved game select LOAD at the start of the game and then type in your code, then press ENTER/RETURN and then select START. PLAYING THE MISSIONS In order to get the best out of this game it is suggested that you read the following sections of the enclosed manual for the ST/Amiga/PC Page Section Title 5 The World 5 Playing Battle Command 7-18 The Mauler 24-30 Your First Mission. and then refer to the differences as indicated below. However, if you wish to take the plunge immediately, read the following section to familiarize yourself with the controls, or alternatively use the quick reference card as you play the first mission. Spectrum/Amstrad Control Guide The cursor can be moved with the joystick or with the keys Q (up), A (down), 0 (left), P (right) and Space as the fire/select button. The tank is controlled by the same system using UP for acceleration, DOWN for deceleration, and LEFT and RIGHT steering the tank in the appropriate direction. Pressing the keys 1, 2, 3 or 4 will activate the appropriate weapon slot. The active weapon slot will then be highlighted in the upper console display. The different weapon types are controlled as follows:- Pulveriser: Press fire to launch a single shell. Cannon: Skeet Bomb: Press fire to launch a single skeet. Cluster Press fire to launch a cluster bomb. Bomb: Surface to First sight your target, then press fire to obtain Surface lock on. The cursor will flash to indicate this. Missiles: Pressing fire again will now launch the missile. Dragonfly: Use fire to launch. When the missile has been launched, its main display will show a view from just behind the Dragonfly. This missile is controlled using the same method as the tank. Pressing fire a second time will result in control switching back to the Mauler. The following weapons are controlled using two extra keys. These are referred to as the upper and lower module buttons and are activated by the keys J and K respectively. Surface to First sight your target, using the tank left and Air Missiles right controls and the upper and lower module buttons to adjust the elevation of the sight. Then press fire to obtain lock on. The cursor will flash to indicate this. Pressing fire again will now launch the missile. Mortar: Use upper module button to increase the elevation angle and the lower module button to decrease the angle. Press fire to launch a mortar shell. Sleeper Use the module buttons to adjust the time delay, Mine: pressing fire drops the mine. Spectre Press fire to launch a single flare or use the Flares: module buttons to switch automatic mode off or on. Phantom Press fire to launch a burst of chaff or use the Chaff: module buttons to switch automatic mode off or on. SLAM Laser: Use the module buttons to switch this weapon on or off. It only operates in automatic mode. The other equipment is operated as follows: Nightsight: Pressing N toggles this view mode on or off. Binoculars: Pressing B toggles this view mode on or off. Press Z for zoom mode. this alters the magnification level. Rear View: Pressing R toggles this view mode on or off. Helicarrier: Pressing H toggles the Helicarrier request transmission on or off. The various game screens are accessed by the following methods: Review Pressing M will enter this screen. Key B displays Briefing: the briefing text and pressing M again returns to the map screen. On the map display a flashing cursor indicates the Mauler's current position. The letter P marks the helicarrier pickup point and a letter T shows the main target. Damage Pressing D enters this screen. The various levels Screen: of damage to the Mauler and equipment are displayed. The main console view is returned to by pressing key C. Please refer to the keyboard refRrenc'e chart for this information. Pause Pressing E enters pause mode. Play is Screen: suspended until the player either quits the current mission or continues by choosing key Y or N respectively. BATTLE COMMAND Its program code. graphic representation and artwork are the copyright of Ocean Software Limited and may not be reproduced. stored, hired or broadcast in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Ocean Software Limited, All rights reserved worldwide. THIS SOFTWARE PRODUCT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DEVELOPED AMD MANUFACTURED TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY STANDARDS. PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOADING. CAREFULLY. If for any reason you have difficulty in running the program you may contact our Ocean Helpline direct by telephoning 0626 332533. However if you believe that the product is defective please return it direct to: Mr. Yates. Ocean Software Limited, 6 Central Street, Manchester, M2 5MS. Our quality control department will test the product and supply a replacement if we find a fault. If we cannot find a fault the product will be returned to you at no extra charge. Please note that this does not affect your statutory rights. CREDITS Amstrad and Spectrum programmed by Stephen Hey. Music by Jonathan Dunn Produced by D.C. Ward ©1991 Ocean Software Ltd.