 EARTHLIGHT 

 Firebird 1988



 CONTROLS : Keyboard, Kempston, Cursor

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

 AIM : Slaatn, an alien explorer from Arcturus, is drawn off course by

a strong beam of force from Earth and has to make a landing on the Moon.

Slaatn's only chance of escape is to neutralise the box-like 

transmitters and eliminate the force field.



 GAMEPLAY : The mission takes place over four levels, each of which is

divided into eight zones to be tackled in any order. Slaatn has managed

to steal a spacecraft which begins each zone perched on a platform base.

You must collect a specified number of transmitters before returning to

base. Alien saucers, spheres and podships do not hesitate to attack!



 However, your ship is equipped with shields, fuel and missiles to help

you. Before entering each zone, you can alter the ratio of these 

supplies. An increase in fuel, for example, will reduce the number of

missiles you can carry.



 Colliding with aliens or obstacles damages shields, and the longer you

take the more fuel you will lose. Should you use up all your fuel or

shields, you will lose one of your three lives (and you cannot refuel

or recharge your shields!). Instead, returning to base will give an

instant breakdown of your performance so far, including the number of

transmitters still to collect and the number and type of aliens still

alive.



 COMMENTS : "Yet another of Pete Cooke's masterpieces"

 RATING : 90% (CRASH #53, June 1988)



 NOW : Still a very good game - a nice-looking shoot-em-up with an

unusual angle!

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

 KEYS : Redefinable

