Game Guide - Subternaean Stryker

Level 1
The first level see you flying above ground (defender style) avoiding trees and lightening, before plunging into a small cave system in search of the aliens. Here you have to fly through the narrow caves avoiding bugs, worms and water spouts.
Once all the miners have been rescued (picked up), the force field is removed and you can fly further into the caverns to rescue more miners.

Graphics:
A mixture of above ground and small caves forms the first level.
Worms appear from rocks and large bugs crawl about, stopping you from rescuing the miners.

Nasties:
Bugs, lightning, worms, aliens and a water spout and steam hammer.

Notes:
The cave rocks were created from a digital picture of some stones from my garden. (see development diary).
If you hang around too long a large blue UFO will appear and track you down.
The voice on this and all the other levels is that of my partner Sue, scrabled about, modulated and echoed.

Level 2
The second level sees even tighter caves to negotiate through.
Careful movement will result in no loss of lives while collecting all the miners to remove the force field to get to the next level.
Because this level may take longer, you will need to refuel by bumping (gently) into the fuel tank.

Graphics:
Different cave structures and rock textures, more sand-like.

Nasties:
Aliens, Worms, large drilling machines, steam hammer, water spouts, spiders, bubbles and a trap door.

Notes:
A bit tricky in places this one, some very tight caves.
The UFO will get you if you stay too long on this level.
Level 3
This level takes you deeper into the caves and is presented in a kind of blue crystallised rock cavern.
The passageways and vertical shafts are getting tighter and tighter, and the nasties are placed in the most difficult positions.
Care must be taken with this level or lives can easily be lost.
Refuelling is required unless your a very very good player.

Graphics:
Blue crystalised rock caverns.

Nasties:
Aliens, water drops, steam hammers, trapdoors, drilling machine and bugs.

Notes:
The UFO is here too.
Level 4
Reaching the large underground complex, you now have to fly through the brick tunnels to rescue the miners.
This level is hard, with many tight shifts and tunnels to negotiate.
This level also has the first instance of compulsory damage. You have to fly through some undergrowth, sustaining damage, to get to a section that holds more miners.
Refuelling is a must.

Graphics:
Industrial brickwork form a large foreboding complex deep within the earth.
Steel chimneys and vertical columns of brick form tight shafts that you have to master.

Nasties:
Aliens, trapdoors, spiders, rockets, steam hammer, spiders and lightning.

Notes:
Yep, you guessed - the UFO is here if you spend too long here.
This level also has the entrance to the secret level - see below...
Level 5
The aliens hideout at last.
This level begins with granite rock and eventually leads into a dark complex that houses the crystal.
This is the ultimate level and is very very hard.
This level take so long that you are forced into meeting the UFO, so be prepared to loose a life here.
Also there are 2 instances of forced damage, so make sure you have plenty of shields.

Graphics:
Granite rock tunnels and dark blue alien complex.

Nasties:
Everything already mentioned plus a subway train.

Notes:
On the original this level was impossible to complete because of a rouge graphic block. This version is almost impossible to complete :-)
Unless all miners are rescued, the crystal will not appear.
The subway train is slightly slower that the original, but its still nerve racking when you get there.
Beyond...
This game has a cheats section AND a secret level that do not appear in the original.

There are two ways to get to the secret level, the proper way is to first collect all the miners on level 4 and then shoot the fuel tank. This will open up a secret passage to the hidden level.
The other way is via the cheat screen.... you'll have to find that for yourself.

Also on the cheats screen you will find a kind of half-finished, single screen secret area that was going to be added as a kind of tribute to the original graphics - but it got left out !

END SEQUENCE:
Very nice.... if you are good enough to get there ;-)