Vapor Trail by Renovation Author: DJ Tigresa and MC Pantera Email: djtigresa@classicgaming.com, mcpantera@classicgaming.com Copyright 1991 Chiguretha "Tigresa" Steel and Pansela "Pantera" Steel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It’s the near future, and the World’s military bases have had their communication systems neutralized by an unknown terrorist group. The terrorist group, known simply as “Dag ger”, is holding the population of the entire planet hostage. Their ransom demand is for complete surrender, or Nuclear-armed cruise missiles will be launched. The President decides the only hope for the planet is to call in a special forces air unit, code named Vapor Trail. As part of this force you must destroy the terrorist’s weapons and restore peace to the World. The operation consists of six missions. In this vertically scrolling shoot-em-up you choose one of three fighter jets, each with its own weapon and speed abilities. You begin with three or five lives/fighters (set in Options), each able to take three hits. Each player also has four continues, giving two players fighting simultaneously a great advantage. A roll maneuver is available that will help you avoid the enemy’s bullets and missiles, but once it’s used you must wait for it to recharge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic Tips ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Of the three ships the Valkyrie is the best. While you’re getting used to the controls try using either of the other two ships. Once you feel comfortable with the controls switch to the Valkyrie. It has the strongest weapon, and its slow speed can be compensated by collecting a few Speed Up capsules (“Spd”). The main objective in most shoot-em-ups (including this one) is not to shoot the enemy, but to avoid their shots. Most enemies spray bullets or missiles, which have gaps in between each shot. By f]yin in between the shots you will avoid losing energy and, fighters. While concentrating on dodging enemy fire keep shooting and you’re bound to hit something! In a two-player simultaneous game you have the added advantage of double weapon power with double the continues (four for each player). If you’re having trouble completing this operation solo, try training a friend to help you. The second player can also join in at anytime. If they’re having trouble with the first or second mission they could always begin after you complete the problem area. Another great advantage of the two-player game is the ability to continue in the same spot you lost your last fighter. In the one player game you’ll return to the beginning of the mission every time you lose a fighter — even if you’re fighting the boss at the end! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 1: Above New York City ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you reach the huge tank you may think you’ve already made it to the boss... think again! Shoot the two small turrets on the front of the tank first, then the main turret will become airborne and continue the fight. The final boss is a double-propped helicopter in the sky. He flies left and right while shooting bullets from two revolving guns. After he’s taken a few hits guided missiles will begin to fire from his side launchers. The bullets are easy to fly be tween, but the missiles can become a problem if you don’t shoot them before they reach you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 2: Desert to Sea ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The mini-boss halfway through this mission is a large vehicle resembling an insect. It rolls around on its eight legs while shooting swirling fireballs behind it, The fireballs seem to be attracted to your ship, so keep moving left and right to avoid being tracked by them. While avoiding the fireballs continue to fire your weapon. The final boss is an aircraft carrier nearly four screens tall. You’ll begin at the front with an attack by a squad ron of small planes. Stay near the center or left side while shooting them down. If you are too far to the right you won’t be able to shoot them but their missiles will still reach you. After fighting a few other planes and turrets on the carrier you’ll return to the center, where three spinning turrets shoot bullets while fireballs are launched from a center cannon. Both the turrets and fireballs are aimed at your plane. To avoid being hit, keep moving left and right while shooting. Stay near the bottom of the screen to give yourself extra time to avoid enemy fire. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 3: Forest to Space ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This mission has many well-armed trains that follow tracks up the screen. The sooner you destroy the turrets, the sooner the bullets from those turrets will no longer be a threat. Stay near the bottom of the screen and keep moving to avoid the aim of the turrets. The Special At tack weapon (S) is very useful to quickly destroy them. After following the large white rocket into space you’ll meet a high-tech satellite. It fires two separate laser beam attacks. The first is a set of four thin laser beams that fire outward from the cannons extend ing on each side. One of the cannons fires the beams in a plus-formation while the other is in an X-forma tion. The beams from the X-formation are more diffi cult to avoid. The second part of the attack is one thicker beam that shoots straight down from the bottom of the satellite. By flying and right, below the satellite, you can quickly destroy it. Timing the movement from left to right is the most difficult part, but once you see this pattern of beams it becomes much easier. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 4: Above the Surf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speed boats, battleships and mines will join the battle against you. The battleships are the most annoying, firing bullets as they enter the screen. If there’s only one, move to the opposite side of the screen until the area below it is clear. A submarine is the boss awaiting your arrival at the end of this mission. After making an appearance it splits apart and both halves begin their attack. The back half is easier to destroy, and the missiles it fires are fairly easy to avoid. Once the tail end explodes the front end will begin to fire an endless supply of bullets in a circular pattern. The only way to safely fly between the bullets is by staying as far away from the sub as possible, but then you’ll have trouble shooting it. Using your Barrel Roll during this time will spare your fighter a few hits, and you can move in close while rolling to increase the effectiveness of your aim. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 5: The City at Night ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The majority of enemies on this level will be in the skies. The planes and helicopters become much thicker as their numbers increase dramatically. Now more than ever your survival will depend on how well you can avoid being hit by enemy fire, not how well you can shoot them. The mini-boss of this mission is a group of five large fighters that fly from side to side as they scroll up the screen. Whichever planes you don’t destroy on the first pass will return for a second (and hopefully not third) pass. Their firepower is weak, so feel free to fly up to them and shoot away. As you reach the final stretch to the boss the number of enemies seems to double, and they require even more hits to destroy. At this point the number of remaining lives will become as important as your fighting skills. The boss at the end of this mission appears to be the same twin-propped helicopter from Mission 1, only now he’s red and much better armed. Along with the previous duo of rotating cannons comes an endless supply of missiles, which begin to launch after the cannons are destroyed. The missiles form a wall, six wide, with an occasional large gap you can fly between. It’s also possible to fly between the smaller gaps between the other missiles, but not nearly as easy. If you’re hit by one of the missiles you’ll be invincible long enough to survive the next group, but after that be on the defense. A fast-moving ship is extremely valuable here, allowing you a better chance to get into position between the missiles. A few extra fighters are also invaluable. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 6: The final mission ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the last mission, and there’s only a few enemies before the boss arrives. Shoot the enemies to find capsules that build up your defenses against the boss. The final boss is a massive fighter plane. As you approach the tail end you’ll be assaulted by eight fireball cannons and two turrets. The only way to stop them from firing is to destroy them, so do it quickly. Concentrate on dodging the large fireballs, using the Barrel Roll whenever necessary. After destroying the cannons and turrets on the tail you’ll past the plane, whict will then reappear with only the front cockpit area. Don’t be fooled by its size there are nine dif ferent weapons to destroy. On the back is a spinning gun that shoots bullets in an expanding circle. Above that are guided missile launchers, followed by ex ploding bullet guns and a powerful laser cannon. During the entire battle stay near the bottom of the screen (the laser cannon is very dangerous). If the spinning gun fires bullets while the cockpit is near the bottom of the screen you won’t be able to avoid them without a Barrel Roll. With two or three spare fighters you’ll be able to destroy the plane at close range and still survive to see the ending. When the ship is very weak and near destruction you’ll hear the voice say, “Go for the kill!” Assuming you have at least two bars of power, head in and shoot to finish him off. For your supreme flying skills you’ll receive an ending animation and lengthy credits.