"March!: Offworld Recon" Accompanying Documantation


Contents

1. Game description and peculiarities
2. General information about the game
2.1. Hardware and software requirements
2.2. Different game modes launch
2.3. How to play
2.3.1. Weapon
2.3.1. Cartridges
2.3.2. Transportable objects
2.3.3. Pick-ups used in the game
2.4. Keys description
2.5. Team control



1. GAME DESCRIPTION AND PECULIARITIES
"March!:   Offworld  Recon"  is  a  dynamic  arcade  First-  Person  Shooter
resembling  "Serious  Sam"  or "Red Faction". The starting point of the game
lies  in  the  far future, on Mars, where people clashed with mysterious and
hostile  aliens.  The  player is to control a team of attack robots fighting
with  hordes  of  enemies-cyborgs. The distinguishing characteristics of the
game are:
-  Gameplay  demanding  various  tactics and presupposing fights with unique
opponents (the so-called "bosses")
-  Original  modular  approach to weapon - various combinations of removable
barrels  and  secondary  barrels headers modifying cartridges allow having a
big number of individual weapons.
- The player has a "fire support team" which may act independently and under
the player's control
-  The  robots  of  the team use the same various pick-ups as the player and
have special skills which may be useful in different tactical situations
-  The  single-player  mode uses some concepts typical of multi-player games
like "Capture The Flag". Computer opponents act as a confronting group.
 
2. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE GAME

2.1. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIMENTS

Proper functioning of the game demands the following hardware and software:
 - Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP or Windows 2000 operational system
 - PIII-450 processor (PIII-750 is recommended)
 - 128 MB RAM (256 is recommended)
 - 3D accelerator with 16 MB RAM (32 is recommended)
 - 700 MB hard disc free space to install the game
 - 300 MB hard disc free space for Windows swap file
 - DirectX 8.0 and higher

2.2. DIFFERENT GAME MODES LAUNCH

The following game modes are available at the moment:
-Single-player  game,  gradual  episode completing: Choose "New Game" in the
main menu, then choose a level: Easy, Normal, Hard, Hardcore;
-Single-player  game, random choice of levels: choose "New Game" in the main
menu, and then choose "Map Selection" (Custom Level);
-Multi-player  game:  Choose  "Network  game" in the menu (Multiplayer), and
then choose "Host LAN Game" or "Find LAN Games".

2.3. HOW TO PLAY

In   the  beginning  and  during  the  mission  the  player  gets  necessary
instructions  describing future events. The instruction is accompanied by an
"OBJECTIVES  UPDATED"  line.  Press  <TAB> to read the message. The absolute
objective of one level it to execute all tasks.

2.3.1. WEAPON

The  weapon  of  the  game  is  based  on  modular  approach. The holster of
multi-barreled  gun  with  removable barrels forms the basis. Switch between
barrels  can be done with the help of 1..6 keys. The barrels have restricted
resources  of  built-in  power-unit, that's way the selected barrel can "run
down"  while  there  is still ammunition. A standard barrel has unrestricted
resources  and endless ammunition. Secondary barrels function like removable
barrels. To switch use 7..9 keys.

2.3.1. CARTRIDGES

There  will  be removable cartridges in the game changing the functioning of
the  holster. They are radar, device changing speed of shooting, grouping of
shots and other things for the basic holster.

2.3.2. TRANSPORTABLE OBJECTS

There can be transportable objects in some tasks. Such objects can be picked
up  and  carried (hands are occupied and shooting is impossible). The object
can  be  thrown away or handed over to a robot in the team. Be careful - the
enemies  can  carry  it  off  to  its  place, damage or destroy. Examples of
objects: crystal, shell, bomb.

2.3.3. PICK-UPS USED IN THE GAME

The game has the following set of pick ups: 
- Accumulators of different capacity (first-aid set);
- Jump Jets (to increase the length of the jump);
- Speed Booster (increases speed);
- Flashlight;
- Orbital Strike (satellite guided target designation system);
- Reinforcement Beacon (+1 robot to the team).

2.4. KEYS DESCRIPTION

The following control keys are used in the game:

Robot control

Command description 					Key
====================================================================
Move Forward						W
Move Backward						S
Strafe Right						A
Strafe Left						D
Run							Left Shift
Crouch							Left Control
====================================================================

Turns  to  the  left  and to the right and turns of the head up and down are
done with the help of the mouse.

COMMON COMMANDS

Command description 					Key
====================================================================
Show Objectives/Tactical Info/Scores			Tab
Send Message In Multiplayer Mode			M
Switch Player Camera To Third-Person View		V
Select All Robots In Team				C
Select Robot (1..4)					F1..F4
Hold Fire						H
Select Previous/Next Formation				Z,X
Swicth Flashlight On/Off				F
====================================================================

WEAPON CONTROL COMMANDS

Command description 					Key
====================================================================
Fire Primary Barrel					Left Mouse Button
Fire Secondary Barrel					Right Mouse Button
Switch To Basic Gun					0
Switch To Shotgun					1
Switch To Advanced Minigun				2
Switch To Plasma Thrower				3
Switch To Laser						4
Switch To Accelerator					5
Switch To Heavy Plasma Thrower				6
Switch To Rocket Launcher				7
Switch To Grenade Launcher				8
Switch To Gauss Gun					9
====================================================================


2.5. TEAM CONTROL
Robots team is an essential part of the Gameplay. Use team control orders to
execute the objectives successfully.

- Formations
<Z>,<X>: Select a formation relatively the commander;
- Select a robot:
<F1>..<F4>: Select a robot having number from 1 to 4;
<C>: select all robots;
- Orders:
<H>: "Cease fire";
- Actions
 - "Attack the target": choose a robot or a group of robots and shoot at the
 indicated target;
 -  "Hold  the  point": choose a robot or a group of robots and shoot at the
 secured area (wall, floor);
 -  "Return  to the formation": choose a robot or a group of robots and push
 the mouse right button;
