vic user wrote:Thanks for the Tarmin youtube link!
That's right, the original Tarmin game did not have a mini map.
I am really interested in your views on playing Tarmin on the Aquarius.
Well I haven't been able to find a cartridge for Tarmin yet at auction (I surely will buy it if I do!)...BUT if you want to give it a go, here's an easy to run emulator+ROMs pack that already includes the AD&D Tarmin game as well as a bunch of other Aquarius games!
http://www.reocities.com/emucompboy/
Direct link:
http://www.reocities.com/emucompboy/Vaq72a.zip
The graphics (for example, the walls) don't look as "clean" in the emulator as on the real machine as you can tell by comparing to the YouTube vid, and you don't have the benefit of the keyboard overlay (the controls are a bit unusual) but it's a good substitute!
Here's how to play (enjoy!):
At level 1, you begin your invasion in search of the Dragon King, to slay him and claim the treasure. There are 99 levels, each more perilous than the last.
Starting out with 30 Physical points and 15 Spiritual points, a single bow and shield, you have your work cut out for you. The walls and floors are blue, the doors are bright green, and most of the objects on the floor are bright red, at least to begin. Your pack holds six objects, which you may rotate at will. Your hands also hold two more objects, usually a shield and a weapon.
COMMANDS
Below is the table of keyboard commands you'll need to penetrate the maze:
K - Move forward
M - Turn left
; - Glance right
J - Glance left
< - Retreat
> - Turn right
N - Attack
D - Go down ladder/levels
H - Open door
W - Pick up item on floor or put back on floor
S - Rotate pack
R - Select new weapon for your right hand
E - Switch Left and Right hands
Here are the other key commands you'll need to know, concerning game difficulty:
3 - Easy
2 - Medium
1 - Hard
4 - Well nigh impossible
It is strongly recommended that you start with the Easy game, which shifts to a very hard level at level 19, if you can make it even that far. To be sure, even the Easy game will have you fighting for your life.
Unlike the Intellivision Treasure of Tarmin, with its smaller, more compact maze, AQU Tarmin boasts a daunting 11 X 11 labyrinth. Invisible doors and ladders that are tucked away in obscure corners will complicate your journey down.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THE MAZE
A wide variety of objects and guardians are distributed at random.
FOOD
Food Units are scattered throughout the maze. Pick them up wherever you find them. They are crucial to maintaining your game score.
WEAPONS - TYPES
There are four different types of weapons. Only bows and crossbows are reusable.
Bows
Axes
Maces
Crossbows
WEAPONS - COLORS
Each weapon comes in one of four colors.
Red - Regular Power
Yellow - Medium Power
Violet - High Power
White - Super Power
DEFENSE
There are five different defensive objects you can pick up in the maze. As is the case with the weapons, the strength of defensive objects varies according to color.
Small Shields
Large Shields
Rings
Helmets
Breastplates
BOXES
There are two types of boxes. These also come in four colors.
Unlocked Boxes
Locked Boxes
TREASURES
Within the boxes, you will find two types of treasures. The color scheme follows the same pattern as all the other objects, with white accorded the highest value.
Necklaces
Chalices
USEFUL ITEMS
Keys - Red, Yellow, Violet, White. A White key will open any locked box.
POTIONS
Potions have several uses. The physical and spiritual potions turn your scores in these areas different colors, making it harder for the monsters to damage you. Only one potion can be used at a time, so if you take a spiritual potion, you end your physical spell. The reverse is true as well. The large potions, on the other hand, will refresh or increase your scores.
Physical - Turns score red, green, yellow, or blue
Spiritual - Turns score red, green, yellow, or blue
LARGE POTIONS
Red - Refreshes your score after going down during a battle
Yellow - Raises your physical score by 10
Violet - Raises your spiritual score by 6
White - Be careful! This variable potion can either raise or lower your scores.
Additionally, it should be noted that using any of the large potions will take away one of your turns during a battle with a monster.
MAPS
The maps you'll find in boxes can be enormously useful, though they are delicate and will usually vanish after a few uses. There are four kinds of maps.
Red - Shows where you are in the maze
Yellow - Shows both you and the ladder
Blue - Shows you, the ladder, and the monsters
White - Teleports you through the maze safely, avoiding monsters
