THE SPECTRUM GAMES DATABASE

ALIEN8

PUBLISHER
Ultimate Play The Game (ACG)

AUTHORS
Chris and Tim Stamper

YEAR OF RELEASE
April 1985


DESCRIPTION
Graphics-wise Alien8 is Knightlore set in a spaceship.  In this
game however you are a little robot, "Alien 8" who's job it is
to make sure ALL cryonaughts remain active during the ship's
voyage.


INSTRUCTIONS
Explore the spaceship, collect any objects you come across and
place these objects into the correct socket.  Sockets
flash/sparkle with the object (thermolec valves) they require.
ALL valves must be in place before the time runs out.


CONTROLS

            ALIEN 8
      CONTROLLING YOUR ROBOT

KEYBOARD CONTROLS
LEFT Alien 8 will turn left using the Z, C, B and M keys.

RIGHT Alien 8 will turn right using the X, V, N and SYMBOL SHIFT
keys.

MOVE FORWARD Alien 8 will move forward using any key on the
second row, A, S, D, F, etc.

JUMP Alien 8 will jump using any key on the third row Q, W, E,
R etc.

PICK UP/DROP Alien 8 can pick up or drop any object using the 1-0
keys.

PAUSE The whole game can be paused by using the CAPS SHIFT or
SPACE/BREAK keys.

JOYSTICK CONTROLS
Alien 8 can be fully controlled by using the KEMPSTON INTERFACE,
CURSOR INTERFACE II and joystick, be replacing the LEFT, RIGHT,
FORWARD, JUMP and PICK UP/DROP commands.


CHEATS


SEQUALS/PREQUALS:
In game style Alien8 was the sequal to Knightlore.  In actual
games released by Ultimate, Alien8 was the sequal to Knightlore
and Underwurlde which were released in December 1984.


INLAY CARD TEXT

THE PLANET
Long long ago...in a distant galaxy, on a distant dying planet,
the last of the guardians prepare their starship for its final
journey.  All of the libraries, records and knowledge have been
stored aboard the vessel, along with the very best of their
cryogenically preserved race.

The planet's final end draws near as the last, most vital piece
of equipment is loaded aboard, activated, and the hatchways
closed. The ULTIMATE evolution ALIEN8 cybot whirrs into an
artificial cybernetic rush of intelligence.

All hatchways are sealed, as the starship prepares for its long
uniterrupted journey into the inky void of space.

THE JOURNEY
Aeons pass and still the ALIEN 8 unit is functioning perfectly,
gliding swiftly and silently around on multi-sealed-thermotion
bearings in waxolight shrouds. The very pinnacle of robotic
development from a now long dead planet, on its immense task of
keeping the cryogenically immersed cryonaughts activated by
preserving and maintaining their life support systems and
waiting...

The long journey is near completion as the central computer
alerts you to the nearing of the pre-destined solar system. The
dust of aeons lies heavy on the ageing data banks of the central
computing core, tired from centuries of repetitive computing and
re-computing, at last the final sequential landing operations.

The craft begins its final slowing sequence several hundred light
years from the destined planet and as, almost immediately the
starship slows to sub-hyper warp speeds, is open to attack.

All the starship main defence systems have remained unactivated,
as the reverse polarity negative-ion thrusters battle and strain
to halt the enormous bulk of the ship.

The main computer reports Alien penetration in almost all areas
of the ship and all life support systems have become damaged and
deactivated. All cryogenic systems must be reactivated before
auto-phase thrusting systems manoeuvre the ship into its
semi-cycle planetary orbit, at 0 light years from the planet.

Your programming insists that you complete the mission and
restore all cryogenic life support systems to operation.

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
The Starship
  
  A. The starship is at risk to Alien intrusion at lower
     than hyper-warp speeds. As lesser beings have
     not yet developed the mental ability to
     contemplate travel at this speed, hyper-warp is
     relatively safe and untroubled.
     Once the starship's speed falls below hyper-warp
     speed, upon its approach, at several hundred
     light years from the planet, it will become
     vulnerable to attack and Alien intrusion.

  B. Once the starship has slowed down into sub-
     hyper-warp speeds, and enters semi-cyle orbit
     the ship will not have enough fuel to enable a
     recovery to be made.

  C. The starship is equipped with indestructable
     multi-control directional robodroids.

  Alien8 Programming

  A. All cryonaughts must remain activated.
 
  B. Locate and recover all thermolec valves and
     ALIEN8 replacement packs.

  C. Ensure all thermolec valves are in the correct
     sockets, to ensure continuing activation.

  D. Locate and activate all cryogenic chambers.

  E. All cryonaughts must remain activated prior to
     the planet being reached, for them to effect the
     final landing sequence.

  F. You have been issued with 5 initial replacement
     packs, other packs may be located throughout
     the starship. These will prolong your existence
     upon damage by collisions etc.

  FAILURE TO COMPLETE ANY OF THE ABOVE WILL
  MEAN: THAT YOU HAVE NOT FULFILLED YOUR
  PROGRAMMING, AND THAT YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO
  RE-PROGRAMMING, SHOULD YOU FAIL TO FULFIL
  YOUR PROGRAMMING THEN THE SHIP AND ALL
  CRYONAUGHTS

            ALIEN 8 FEATURES
            ----------------

ALIEN 8 features filmation (C) a unique process whereby you have
complete freedom within the confines of your imagination to do
as you wish with any of the items found within ALIEN 8.

Filmation (C)           3 Dimensional Movement
Alien 8                 Moving Floorways
Traps                   Different Levels
Cryogenic Immersion     Extra Lives
Tests                   Balconies
Obstacles               Storage Chambers
3D Scenario             Life Support Systems
Monsters                Cryogenic Chambers
Podules                 Cryonaughts
Space Craft             Hidden Circuits
Corridors               Superb Graphics
Blocks                  Amazing Animation
Plungers                Keyboard/Joystick Select
Obelisks                Materializations
Stairways               Multi Lives
Portals                 Rotational/Direct Joystick Select
Jump Button             Alien Eggs
Continuous Pause        Egg Shells
Collection Feature      Life Support Valves
Control Panel           Life Support Sockets
Light Yearometer        Alien Guards
Life Support Activation Plasmic Ushers
Status Display          Suberb Sound
Dissappearing Corridors Computer Recommendations
Trap Doors              Re-Programming Sequence
Rising Balconies        Aliens
Slides


SCORES/REVIEWS
Crash, Issue: 15, Page: 16, Percentage: 95%
YS, 9/10.


SNAPSHOTS/URLS

FACTS ABOUT GAME
The second Ultimate game to use their patented "Filmation"
feature which enabled the user to explore a realistic (at the
time!) 3D environment.  The Stampers said in a long forgotten
interview that "Other people were copying our 3D game style so
we though we may as well do another using a slightly updated game
engine".

NOTES
Alien 8 features a very amusing "Re-programing" animation!























