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              AMAZON TALES
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LOADING:

DISK: 

Insert your disk (or attach .D64 image) into your disk drive. 

Type in LOAD "*",8 (or correct drive number which you are reading from.)

On the READY.  Prompt, type in RUN

The program will then flash decrunch and run. 

Please note: You should keep your disk in your disk drive, as the program consists of a hi-score saver. Should you wish to restart the hi-score table. Simply delete the filename AMAZON TALES TOP manually, or with a directory editing utility. 

TAPE:

Insert and fully rewind your mastered tape to the correct position on your tape deck. Press SHIFT+RUN/STOP, press PLAY on tape. The game will then load. After the program has finished loading 'PRESS SPACEBAR' to flash decrunch and run the game. 

Should any load errors occur, where the border is red and the tape stops automatically. Rewind the tape a little then press PLAY on tape again. If the same problem persists. Make sure your tape deck has been fully aligned and cleaned and that your tape isn't faulty. 

-= PLEASE ALSO NOTE =-

A tape mastering  program has also been provided for creating personal physical tape copies of this game on devices such as the 1541Ultimate 2,  Ultimate 64 and Turbo Chameleon, etc. 

THE STORY

Deep in the heart of the Amazon, in a small village, a friendly tribe recruited you, Gemma Hunter as a professional vet to look after their animals.  You have been asked vaccinate a terrified elephant from an illness that could be proved fatal. Just as you open the pen. The scared elephant sees what you are up to and it makes its escape through the main jungle.

The tribe, who you settled with are very unhappy with you for losing the elephant. If you are to stay and settle with them in their village, you must find the elephant. You also cannot return back to the village until it has been found and brought back to safety. 


PLAYING THE GAME

Guide Gemma through the Amazon in search for the missing Elephant. So that you can take it home and safely vaccinate it from an illness, which could prove fatal. Unfortunately, you will not be alone and your trek through the forest will prove to be a deadly one.

During your long journey by foot, you will encounter many dangerous animals, tribes men, temple guards and many other nasty surprises. Luckily for you, there are rocks that can be thrown at these nasties. This can be done by pressing FIRE on your joystick. Beware, some enemies can be defeated by one hit of the rock. However, other enemies require more than just one hit before they are defeated. Also remember that you cannot destroy the flying spears, ground traps (unavoidable when the full blades are showing) or boulders. 

THE LEVELS:

There are 7 levels in total. They are as follows:

1  The Lakeside

On this stage you are running by the river side. You will encounter just small animals and reptiles. Make sure you don't get bitten by the snakes, leopards or crocodiles. 

2  The Forbidden Camp

You are about to step into hostile restricted territory. The Pygmy tribes men are your biggest threat in this stage of your journey. The evil tribe are hunters and they will take nobody for granted. These soldiers are armed with a blow pipe and some poisonous darts. Should you get hit by a dart, you will lose a life. You can defeat them with 2 hits. Also watch out for bigger snakes and large tigers.

3  The Jungle Outskirts



As you enter the jungle, the tribes men will still try and hunt you down. Watch out for the creatures (from previous levels) which might bite you if you walk too close to them. Above the trees are gibbons. They will try to knock you out with coconuts.


4  The Dark Rainforest 

This is the main hunting ground for the tribes men. You have to watch out for their traps, the hunters, and also flying spears, as well as the animals that bite.

5  The Boggy Sand Plains

Watch where you step when you traverse across the sand plains. First of all, the usual creatures and tribes men are hunting. However, there is another obstacle, which you should also avoid. Although the sand plains look pretty much harmless. Avoid stepping into the central area of the plains. That is quicksand. If you step into quicksand. You will lose a life. Also watch out for the rolling boulders. They are deadly and indestructible.


6  The Dark Cave

After successfully leaving the sand plains, you will enter the dark cave. It is very creepy and consists of deep black holes, which you can fall through. However, you won't be alone in the caves. There are flying spears, rolling boulders, and deadly spiders will spawn out of the holes.



7  The Jungle Temple 

The final part of the journey is the sacred jungle temple. This place is heavily guarded by temple guards. They will appear from some of the doorway entrances. They will also try and spear you down. Also watch out for the usual enemies, you have encountered in previous levels. After you have passed the temple, you will have reached the lakeside, where the elephant, which you need to return to the village, is hiding.

COLLECTIBLES:

During the long trek through the Amazon. You can pick up the following items, which can help you fulfill your quest.

GLOWING IDOLS

The gods of the Amazon are watching you and they want to help you. If you pick up a glowing idol, the gods will give you protection for a temporary amount of time. 

You are also protected every time you start a new level or lose a life.



SACRED CHESTS

If you pick up a sacred chest, the gods of the Amazon will give you an extra life. 

Can you safely retrieve the elephant and bring it back to your village, or will you be kicked out of the tribe?

Good luck!!!

CONTROLS

JOYSTICK PORT 2

UP - Walk up
DOWN - Walk down
LEFT - Walk backwards
RIGHT- Walk forwards
FIRE - Throw stones

CONTROL - Pause game
BACK ARROW (While paused) - Quit game

CREDITS

Programming, charset, sound effects and music by:
RICHARD BAYLISS

Graphics and level design by
ALF YNGVE

Loading bitmap artwork by
TREVOR STOREY

Tape loader source by
MARTIN PIPER

Fact file:

Amazon Tales was originally made back in 2012 for the RGCD 16KB Game Cartridge Competition. The game was near to complete, but due to shortage of memory, time, etc. the game ended up as 75%. The same game version was later on thrown into the GAMES THAT WEREN'T archive, as I lost interest in developing any more on this game at the time.

During October to December 2019, after temporarily freezing Cruiser-X 79 until 2020, I wanted to try better movement patterns as a small experiment, since I wanted to bring more variety to enemy attack waves. This experiment was done in the 75% version of Amazon Tales, which then finally became a 100% complete game. It features brand new levels, and some new graphics and sprites by Alf Yngve. The game was specially made for the TND Christmas Update. This is also my final game production for 2019.

I hope you enjoy this little christmas present from me and Alf and have yourselves a merry christmas and a happy new year.

COPYRIGHT NOTE

(C)2019 THE NEW DIMENSION
http://tnd64.unikat.sk
https://richard-tnd.itch.io

AMAZON TALES is FREE software and has been downloaded from THE NEW DIMENSION or CSDB. Should you wish to copy this game. You are more than welcome to do exactly that. This is providing that you do it for free. Unauthorized  digital or physical sales of this production is strictly forbidden. Please ask the author first.


