How To
by Matt Slot
How to Manage Mars Rising
OK, you've beaten the first few levels of Mars Rising (or maybe you haven't), and while you may be pretty
good at taking out the buzzsaws, the spinning maces and neo-Harriers tend to do you in. Here's a few tips
that can help you turn the tables on the enemies, and make Mars safe for democracy again:
• Use pauses in the action to hold the fire key and charge your cannon. Try to aim it for maximum
effect when you do; wait for enemies to line up on the screen and take out several at once.
• Enemies that make multiple shots tend to cluster them. If you can stay in the same spot
while they
• Moving down when your ship is at the bottom of the screen shortens the
crosshairs. This is good for getting any pesky ground targets that may slip by.
• Be sure to get the ground targets as soon as possible, especially turrets which fire
multiple shots at once. If you can position your crosshairs while firing at incoming
ships, you can even take out both at once.
• Destroying all the ground targets on a level (after the first) releases bonus points or
multipliers. These are a great way to increase your score and earn extra lives, but
don't let them distract you.
• Don't get caught at the bottom of the screen, especially in a corner, or the maces
will follow your ship and pin you. Instead, fly toward the top of the screen to draw
them toward you. If you charge your weapon on the way up, you can usually
sweep back under and destroy them in a cluster.
• Neo-harriers and other "intelligent" enemies tend to follow your ship, and even get
behind you. Use the Rear Powerup to kill ships both in front and behind you.
Notice that enemy ships can't turn clockwise over the 12 o'clock position -- sweep
left and right quickly to keep them off balance and unable to shoot.
• If you charge an enemy, you can always back away faster than his shots move
(doubly so if you have the Speed Powerup). It's easy to keep the screen clean of
light enemies by circling toward the bottom of the screen.
• When fighting the large enemies (medium level bosses), be sure to clear out the
smaller enemies as much as possible. Use the break between his forward shots and rear shots to
weave from one side to the other.
• Option-click the "Player 1" or "Player 2" button to specify a level at which to start. This way you
can practice on those levels you find difficult, or get a sneak peek at the later levels.
With practice, these pointers should help you survive a while longer and improve your high scores. Of
course once you pass level 13, you'll see what we mean when we say "Nothing Can Prepare You".
Ed. Note: Matt Slot iswithout question the best Mars Rising player here in PO BOX 23140.
