METAL MAN RELOADED
==================

(C) 9713 Oleg Origin
& Stella Aragonskaya

This game is the advanced remake of the game METAL MAN
(Oleg Origin, 1997)


System requirements
===================

Minimal:
	ZX Spectrum 48K

Comfortable:
	ZX Spectrum 128
	(for possibility of loading all levels at once);
	Joystick (Sinclair, Kempston or Cursor)

Recommended:
	Pentagon-128K, standard speed mode
	(for faster speed and better sound quality of title music);
	Joystick (Sinclair, Kempston or Cursor)

Program doesn't use musical co-processors or other additional
devices and isn't adapted for a turbo mode.

There are tape and disk versions.
Disk version requires the TR-DOS Operating System.


Plot
====

New york, near future.

Crime groups united in powerful networks. Machines and new technologies
came to the aid of a mafia. Fight against a crime is extremely difficult
as the mafia is under the care of the authorities. 

Some police stations which haven't accepted new system, continue to
work underground, throwing down a challenge to crime and authorities.
In one of them there is a desperate cop Matthew Cranston, better known as
METAL MAN.

Matthew has to execute many difficult missions to liquidate mafia clans
and in the final to battle with the main enemy - the godfather of a mafia
Frank Slayer.

Matt is helped by two workmates:
Linda Hart who guide he, and Michael Kroun, the I.T. specialist.


Loading instructions
====================

a) Tape version, ZX Spectrum 48K
   or compatible computer with 48 kilobytes of memory:

	Place the cassette in tape recorder and rewind.
	Type LOAD"" (ENTER). Press PLAY on the tape recorder.
	After loading of the main program and the first level, as soon as
	on the screen there will be the main menu, stop the tape.

	After successful completion of each level it is required
	to load the following level.
	Press PLAY when on the screen there will be an inscription:
	"LEVEL LOADING" with level number.
	Stop the tape after loading of single block.

	At 'game over' on the second and the subsequent levels,
	and also after full completion (if you want to play once again),
	it is necessary to load the first level again.
	Rewind a tape not prior to the beginning, but to the first level
	(slightly less than 3 minutes from the tape beginning).

b) Tape version, ZX Spectrum 128
   or compatible computer with 128 kilobytes of memory and more:

	Place the cassette in tape recorder and rewind.
	Type LOAD"" (ENTER) or select 'Tape Loader' menu item (if exists).
	Press PLAY on the tape recorder.
	All levels will be loaded at once.
	The full load of game takes about 12 minutes.

c) TR-DOS version, any model of the computer:

	Insert a disk, type RUN (ENTER).
	Don't take out a disk at the game playthrough.
	Levels will be automatically loaded in process of playing.


Gameplay
========

Game consists of 5 levels.

At each level it is necessary to carry out the certain task.
Main character is disturbed by enemies - robots of various classes.
Destroy them or run away from them.

Level 1.
Abandoned building

	Collect all parts of a control chip.
	Find the computer and upload the virus
	(the right part of the building).
	Go to an exit.

Level 2.
Junk yard

	It is necessary to find the armory hidden on a junk yard.
	For this purpose you must collect a code for the crane,
	and also solve some more problems.

Level 3.
Bombs in two buildings

	During a performance of the mission at first there is
	a countdown to explosion of the first bomb, then -
	the second.

	Deactivation of bombs is a special task.

	Besides, Matt has to reach on the motorcycle from the
	first building to the second, going round obstacles.

Level 4.
The robot plant

	To stop production, it is necessary to destroy three
	control terminals.

Level 5.
Frank Slayer's skyscraper

	The final enemy - Frank himself.

At each level there are secrets.
Their finding isn't obligatory, but can be useful.
Besides, solving of all secrets of level multiplies the points.


Collected objects
=================

At each level there are the objects which finding is obligatory for
game passing. They are unique for each level.
For example, at the first level it is parts of a control chip.

Besides, at each level there are the standard useful objects which
collecting isn't a task of game, however without them it would be
impossible to pass game. Such objects are:

Armor-piercing bullets - are twice more powerful than the usual.

The first-aid kit - completely restores health.

Shield - works some time, protecting absolutely from everything.

Additional life - it can be found only in hiding places.

Hourglass - resets the countdown to bomb explosion (on level 3).


Game indicators
===============

The main game indicators are displayed on the panel in the bottom of
the screen.

Health
	It is displayed as a strip with divisions;
	total loss of health leads to death (life loss).

Lives (attempt)
	Are displayed in the field, visually connected with a health strip;
	at death one life is lost, and level begins with a starting point.
	Loss of all lives leads to 'game over', and the 1st level is loaded.

Weapon indicator
	To the left of lives.
	Shows a charge of the main weapon, or quantity of armor-piercing
	bullets (if they are).

Indicators used at current level
 	Six squares in the left part of the blue screen, empty at the
	beginning of the first level.
 	Show some information necessary at current level:
 	at level 1 - collected pieces of chip;
	at level 2 - collected objects and symbols of a code;
	at level 3 - countdown to bomb explosion;
	at level 4 - the destroyed terminals;
	at level 5 - parts of a key from a final door.

Messages from Matt's workmates and from the main antagonist, Frank Slayer,
are displayed on the blue screen.

Statistics indicators, such as quantity of the gathered points and the solved
secrets, are shown after end of each level.


Main menu
=========

The main menu is shown after loading:

	1. Keyboard
	2. Sinclair (joystick)
	3. Kempston (joystick)
	4. Cursor (joystick)
	5. Options

Press the specified key to select menu item.
Keys 1-4 choose control type, and game automatically begins.
Be attentive: opportunity to choose control type anew is absent.

If it is necessary to change Options (item 5), it must be done before
a choice of control type.

Key 5 opens the additional menu of Options:

	1. Skill level
	2. Clouds
	9. Return to main menu

Skill level can be chosen between "Hard" (default) and "Unreal".
Clouds can be chosen "Dynamic" (move), "Static" (stand still) and "No"
(clear sky).
The second and third options will a little increase game speed.


Controls
========

Control is exercised by means of the keyboard or one of three types
of the joystick presented in the main menu.
Keyboard is not redefinable, the most widespread combination of keys
is set: QAOPM.

Controls change a little during game when Matt uses vehicles and
other objects, and on specific sub-levels.

In the main part of all levels controls are:

	left (O)/right (P) - movement;
	up (Q)   - point up / elevator up;
	down (A) - crouch / elevator down / take object, or other
		   action according context of a game situation;
	fire (M) - shot.

	To call the elevator, you have to stand on its platform.

Flying motorcycle on level 1:

	Joystick or QAOP operate movement in all directions;
	fire (M) - shot.

	To leave the motorcycle, land on the same floor where it
	stood initially.

Loader on level 2:

	left (O)/right (P) - movement;
	up (Q)/down (A) - lift up / lower down a pitchfork;
	fire (M) - leave a loader.

	The weapon isn't used on a loader, but shots of enemies
	are still dangerous.

Crane on level 2:


	Joystick or QAOP operate magnet movement in all directions.
	To hook on the car, press 'down' on the roof center.
	Fire (M) - release the car.
	To leave the crane, park an electromagnet on an initial
	position, in the right top corner (near a cabin).
	The weapon isn't used, enemies also can't do any harm.

Chassis of robot on level 3:

	left (O)/right (P) - movement;
	up (Q) - climb up the mechanism;
	down (A) - leave it.
	Being on the mechanism, Matt is protected from enemies.
	The weapon can be used, however enemies are out of a
	defeat zone.

Motorcycle on level 3:

	Joystick or QAOP operate movement in all directions;
	fire (M) - isn't used.

Vehicles and mechanisms at other levels are controlled in this way,
intuitively.


Hints
=====

1.	If Matt desperately goes on the shooting enemy, his bullets
	sometimes can pass by. It can be used.

2.	Don't engage in close combat with the big walking robot - thus
	it is impossible to manage to sit down under its shots.
	Besides, at its destruction at a short distance, hit of
	splinters is inevitable.

3.	Especially be afraid of the smallest robots which contacts take
	away a lot of health. If such robot too close, and you don't
	manage to destroy it - run away!

4.	Use "Shield" for fast destruction of the enemies, who don't
	allow to pass further. Choose the shortest ways for the period
	of activity of "Shield" and don't spend in vain armor-piercing
	bullets.

5.	Look for secrets - many of them will help with game passing.


Credits
=======

Oleg Origin:
	Story, Graphix, Code, Music

Stella Aragonskaya:
	Testing
	Loading screen creation assistance
	Inspiration & support

All rights reserved
