Imagic
NOVA BLAST

Game Program Instructions

"Emergency! Nova 1 to Ground Control! I'm the last of the fleet! They've all
gone down!"

"We read you, Nova 1. Are the Capsuled Cities still standing?"

"Affirmative. But air enemies and Water Walkers are moving in."

"Status of Nova 1. Any damage?"

"I can take about ten more hits, Ground Control."

"Proceed on course, Nove 1. Save our Capsuled Cities at any cost! You're our
last hope. Over."

"I read you load and clear, Ground Control. Over and out."

The four capsuled Cities of Water Planet Hydron are under fierce enemy attack!
Nova 1, the last of the Novon Fleet, must single-handedly defeat these aliens
before they dive into the cities or destroy Nova 1 with too many collisions.

Nova 1 has lasers to blast the airborne enemies and bombs to sink the Water
Walkers. In desperation, Nova 1 can beam a temporary shield on a city that has
lost its protective capsule. Shields require energy - do you have time to refuel
without losing a city?

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YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Protect the four Capsuled Cities from waves of Flying Fighters and Water
Walkers. Avoid collisions and shots from enemies. If all four cities fall to
enemy fire, or if Nova 1 is damaged by too many hits, the game ends.

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PICK YOUR GAME

With power off, insert the cartridge in right side of unit, label up. Turn power
on.

When the Nova Blast title appears, select game skill level by pressing Cadet,
Captain, or Admiral, then press START.

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THE RANKS

Cadet Beginner

Captain Intermediate

Admiral Expert

The higher the rank, the more squadrons and Water Walkers you battle, and the
more cities under attack at one time. Each wave brings more challenge.

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STEERING

To steer Nova 1, press disk in the desired direction of travel.

The disk also controls the rocket's thrust.

When pressed, Nova 1 speeds up to maximum acceleration.

When the disk is released, Nova 1 slows down to a stop.

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AMMUNITION

You have two types of ammunition: lasers and bombs.

LASERS

Use lasers to destroy airborne enemy rockets. To fire lasers, press either top
side button. Lasers are fired from the nose of the ship. For continuous fire,
keep the laser button pressed.

BOMBS

Drop bombs on Water Walkers to prevent them from destroying Capsuled Cities ...
and you! Position Nova 1 directly over the Water Walker and press bottom right
side button to release bomb.

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THE DAMAGE INDICATOR

Each wave begins with the Damage Indicator set at 10. For each collision or shot
suffered by Nova 1, one point is subtracted. When the Damage Indicator drops to
0, the game ends.

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BEAMING SHIELD UPON CITY

If a city loses its protective capsule, you may beam a temporary shield over it,
if you have enough energy. Stop Nova 1 directly over the city. Press and hold
the bottom left side button until a shield appears over the city. This shield,
identical to the former capsule, will protect your city for several seconds -
enough time for you to polish off those attackers! Beaming a shield over a city
uses a lot of energy. You may need to refuel soon! Don't beam a shield on a city
that still has a capsule! If you do, the shield replaces the capsule, and
disappears in several seconds!

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REFUELING

Three quarters of a full fuel supply is used by beaming a shield onto a city.
When energy is almost depleted, you hear a warning beep and the Indicator
flashes yellow and red. To refuel, bring Nova 1 to a complete stop directly over
a fuel tank. Press and hold the bottom left side button to beam fuel aboard
until the evergy indicator shows a full supply. Receive a full tank of fuel
automatically after each wave.

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USING THE RADAR

Use the Radar to determine which cities are under attack and need protection.
Nova 1's flight "wraps around" on the Radar. That is, if Nova 1 disappears off
the right side of the radar, it will soon reappear on the left side, moving
right. An undamaged city appears as three green dots on the Infrared Sensor.
After the first hit, only two dots appear. The second hit destroys the city; no
dots remain. Nova 1 appears as a blue dot. Enemies appear as green dots. The
Water Walker appears as a single green dot at the bottom of the radar. Airborne
enemies appear in the air as green dots.

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ENEMY'S PLAN OF ATTACK

FLYING FIGHTERS

There are eight types of flying enemies: Orion Fighters, Gravitines, and more.
Can you beat them all? Air enemies weave over a city. Their sweeps shorten as
they get closer, until they finally dive into the city. Their first attack
destroys the capsule, the second destroys the city. Each enemy attacks in a
wave, which is introduced by a screen message. In each wave, attackers divide
into two or more squadrons. You hear a waning beep when a squadron begins its
attack.

WATER WALKERS

Up to three Water Walkers may surface, per squadron, in each wave. Destroy Water
Walkers before they have contact with a city and destroy it. Water Walkers try
to destroy you by firing rockets ... Avoid them! All enemies in one wave must be
destroyed before the next wave attacks.

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CAPSULED CITIES

It takes two enemy hits to pulverize a city if no protective shield is beamed
down. The first hit destroys the protective capsule. The second hit levels the
city, sending out a cry. All four cities are automatically rebuilt with
protective capsules at the beginning of the 10th and 25th waves.

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SCORING

For hitting an enemy rocket: 50 points

For bombing a Water Walker: 1000 points

For each city remaining after an attack wave: 1000 points

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TACTICAL TIPS

If several enemies are attempting to sink a city, shoot the lowest flying ones
first! They are closer to hitting the city! Fly low to bomb Water Walkers with
greater accuracy. Remember: a moving target is hard to hit! Keep moving when the
Water Walker is shooting at you! Use the radar screen to anticipate the next
enemy attack and to position Nova 1 so it can blast enemies while flying.

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Game Program designed by Wendell Brown
Screen Graphics assisted by Karen Elliott

©1983 IMAGIC
700022-1 Rev A
All Rights Reserved 
