G-Darius - Strategy Guide (Page 02)
Below are the cheat codes, hints and help for G-Darius - Strategy Guide (Page 02).
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::: Zone Beta - Giant Plant :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Level Data:
Music: [Unknown Track 2]
Mini-Boss: No Mini-Boss present
Boss: Tripod Sardine
Boss Music Track: B.T.Dutch
Exits: Zone Delta, Zone Epsilon
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Powerup Data: Red Green Blue Purple Gold Silver 1-Up
Main: 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
Area C: 2 1 1 4 0 0 0
Total C: 4 3 2 4 0 0 0
Area D: 2 2 1 3 0 3 0
Total D: 4 4 2 3 0 3 0
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Best Red Routes: alA - beC (10R, 6G, 4B, 8P)
alA - beD (10R, 7G, 4B, 7P)
Best Blue Routes: alB - beC (5B, 9R, 7G, 8P)
alB - beD (5B, 9R, 8G, 7P)
Best Green Route: alB - beD (8G, 9R, 5B, 7P)
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Zone Overview:
Another fairly simple level: take a nice flight through the clouds, then
descend into a forest. Area D might be a better choice of routes through
this level, but there is no clear better path here. You get about the same
number of power-ups either way, except for Area D has an extra Green.
Whether Tripod Sardine-C or Tripod Sardine-D is more difficult depends on
your current power levels and whether you can keep a capture alive during
the fight.
The huge spiders in Area C are best dealt with using the Alpha Beam, in
my opinion. The green-fireball shooters make a decent if straightforward
capture; the blue spikeballs in C that appear from the background are
pretty neat as well.
[From the guide book:] The enemies in this stage are bigger than their
normal versions in other stages. They are worth more points, and when
captured, they have better armor and can sustain more hits.
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Boss Tactics:
* Tripod Sardine-C *
You'll have a few moments to just wail on TS before it does anything, so
feel free to do so, preferably at point blank where your bombs can get in
some damage. When it opens its mouth, back off and dodge the spread
fireballs it fires at you. Then you'll have another very brief period of
inactivity, as it repositions itself then extends its claws outward. Then,
they'll create yellow balls that will extend long yellow beams your way.
[Alan:] This attack has no "collision detection" until the beams
materialize a split second after they are fired. You can avoid them easily
by standing still and quickly moving away a little bit as the beams are
fired.
Then, TS will start launching missiles at you. Avoid them and keep
firing. Once you blow its head off, TS will come back holding a large blue
energy ball. Then, it'll flood the screen with shots while it throws the
energy ball at you. Avoiding it is possible, but it is usually better to
deflect it using all the firepower you can muster.
If you have a full Missile cannon, you're in good shape. But you probably
have a relatively weak Laser at this point. So, now would be a good time to
Alpha Beam. It will absorb the shots, turn back the energy ball fairly
well, and take out TS quickly.
* Tripod Sardine-D *
You'll have a few moments to just wail on TS before it does anything, so
feel free to do so, preferably at point blank where your bombs can get in
some damage. When it opens its mouth, back off and dodge the spread
fireballs it fires at you. Then you'll have another very brief period of
inactivity, while TS's claws fire destructable blue spread shots downward.
These can practically be ignored. Then, it's claws will extend outward
and begin firing the shots again. Get in front of one of the cannons and
blow it off, if you can. Eventually, they will reconfigure themselves and
begin firing again. No biggie.
After that, TS will launch some explosive mines at you. Avoid them by
circling around the screen. Then TS will jump to the other side of the
screen, and missiles will begin raining down on you.
What you do _not_ want to do (unless you come with a captured enemy)
is blow TS's head off before it jumps to the other side of the screen,
launches the Orange Shield Thingies(tm), and fires a Beta Beam.
You generally want to weaken TS as much as possible (without blowing off
its head). If you blow off its head too early, you have to deal with its
force-wave attack, and you won't be able to use a Counter beam against it.
If you do end up blowing TS's head off too early and you still have
something captured, turn it into an Alpha Beam and try to destroy TS
quickly so you do not have to deal with the force-wave attack. Otherwise,
you've got to do some smooth manuvering to get around those waves while
trying to finish TS with conventional weapons, and the waves might not
always be possible to avoid. In the words of the Smash TV announcer:
"Good luck! You'll need it!"
[Alan:] If two players are playing, TS (in either area) will become very
easy, because one player can alpha beam the head while the other player
holds on to a captured enemy to alpha beam the body.
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::: Zone Gamma - Gigantic Ship ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Level Data:
Music: [Unknown Track 2]
Mini-Boss: Queen's Child
Mini-Boss Attack: Energy shots + Lasers (B, DB, D, DF, F + Fire)
Boss: Queen Fossil
Boss Music Track: B.T.Dutch
Exits: Zone Epsilon, Zone Zeta
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Powerup Data: Red Green Blue Purple Gold Silver 1-Up
Main: 2 2 1 2 0 0 0
Area E: 3 1 1 3 0 0 0
Total E: 5 3 2 5 0 0 0
Area F: 3 1 2 2 0 0 0
Total F: 5 3 3 4 0 0 0
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Best Red Routes: alA - gaE (11R, 6G, 4B, 9P)
alA - gaF (11R, 6G, 5B, 8P)
Best Blue Route: alB - gaF (6B, 10R, 7G, 8P)
Best Green Routes: alB - gaE (7G, 10R, 5B, 9P)
alB - gaF (7G, 10R, 6B, 8P)
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Zone Overview:
While this zone is a bit more hectic than Zone Alpha, it's still not too
difficult. There is very little to note until the zone splits, except to
try to capture the Mini-Boss before choosing your path. It'll make things
easier on yourself, especially if you choose Area F. That would be the
large bugger that appears in the diagonal section, not the little thingy
with the Solidnite escort as you circle a pyrimad-shaped installation.
Both Area E and F take place up close and personal with Queen Fossil, but
since they are technically the boss battle, I'll cover the survival
strategies here. Pick Area E to for an easier route (and because Queen
Fossil-E makes a _huge_ tactical error that you can use to your favour.)
Area F is a bit more difficult, but is more rewarding in the power-up
department.
As you might have guessed, the Mini-boss is named "Queen's Child"
because it is released from Queen Fossil herself.
* Area E *
When Queen Fossil appears, she'll come butt first waving a laser cannon
at you. Be sure to blast it now, as doing so might save you some trouble
later... if you seriously screw the boss battle up, that is. More
importantly, blasting it rewards you with a Red Orb. Dodge the missile
volleys to claim it.
After a few waves of weenies attack, you'll find yourself situated above
3 cannons and a set of Queen Fossil's fins. Try to blast the cannons out of
the way, and be ready for Queen Fossil to toss her fins at you like
boomerangs. Destroy them all to get a Green Orb. Another missle volley
later, you find yourself in the same situation as above. Except this time a
few Laser Cannons have been thrown into the mix. Destroy all the Laser
Cannons and the pea-shooter Cannons for a Blue Orb, and take out the
boomeranging fins again for a Red one.
[Guide book:] It's a certain one in each set of fins that gives you a
power-up. You don't really have to destroy the others. (It's usually the
second or the third one. - Zach)
Dodge another missle volley, and take out the weenie swarms again. When
Queen launches another Mini-Boss, grab it and prepare for the real battle.
* Area F *
You'll be greeted by the sight of Queen Fossil's backside. Lovely, innit?
Take out the cannon that waves around shooting lasers; if you captured the
Mini-Boss, make liberal use of Queen's Child to bring this about more
quickly. You'll be awarded a Red Orb for destroying it. Look out for the
missile volley as you try to claim your prize, though.
A large cannon arm will now extend your way. Plant yourself right at the
barrel of this thing, since its projectiles can be destroyed. Again, use
the Mini-Boss's special move to help you out, if possible. If not, watch
out for the red homing lasers. Another Red Orb will be yours after you
destroy the cannon.
Queen Fossil will back off a bit while some weenies will come your way.
Blast them for a few more orbs, and prepare for two rectangular
installations to come at you. Try to blast off their cannons, and if you've
got an enemy captured, Alpha Beam both of them when they meet at the right
side of the screen.
Next, a large laser cannon will descend from Queen Fossil's belly. Get
above its aim and you can destroy it with no problems whatsoever and get
a Blue Orb for your effort. A few more peon ships will come your way,
followed by another Mini-Boss. Try to grab it, even if you've kept the
one from earlier on, since the older one has probably taken a good bit
of damage by now.
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Boss Tactics:
* Queen Fossil-E *
The Queen will charge from the left side of the screen, then back off.
Keep to the far right to avoid her. Dodge or destroy the Solidnite Bullets.
This is where the fun begins. Queen Fossil will reappear on the left, and
throw some lasers at you. While that goes on, some scales will fly off,
circle around the center of the screen, and fly at you one or two at a
time. After that, she'll charge up not one, not two, not even three, but
four Beta Beams that she'll fire one at a time. Grab one of the Orange
Shield Thingies that appear if necessary, and let out an Alpha Beam to
absorb them all and throw them right back at Queen Fossil.
If by some chance you manage to screw this up, Queen Fossil will continue
fighting using the tactics outlined below for Queen Fossil-F.
* Queen Fossil-F *
Queen Fossil will come on screen from the right, then back off. Then,
she'll present her side to you, while five lasers will come out. The one
on top and the one on bottom will fire a constant laser that will limit
your room to move, while the three middle ones will shoot shorter lasers.
All the while, little bullets will be coming at you; destroy as many of
them as possible while dodging the lasers. When the lasers are retracted,
Queen Fossil will begin shooting spread shots at you, then launch a
volley of missiles.
Then, she'll swing her rear back on screen, and arc two electric beams
your way. Your best bet is to hang close to the right side of the screen
and dodge the spread shots.
After backing off and firing a volley of missiles that will close in on
you from the top and bottom of the screen, she'll reapproach from the left
and fire four Solidnite Bullets at you. Destroy or avoid these, depending
on your current weapon power. Then, she'll launch a few scales that will
gather in the center of the screen and form a "flower" that will match your
vertical movements, and eventually fly at you. All the while, you have to
dodge a never-ending stream of spread shots.
Then, a few waves of Orange Shield Thingies(tm) will appear. Grab one,
and dodge the Queen's shots until she backs off again. Her tail will
reappear once more, and fire spread shots while she charges her Beta Beam.
Charge your Alpha Beam and counter it. If the Queen fires her homing lasers
before you can destroy her, use the Alpha Beam to absorb them. (Notice that
QF's Beta Beam here is already a counter beam, meaning that you can score
a double-counter here, or even a triple-counter if you use Queen's Child to
Alpha Beam QF.)
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::: Zone Delta - Granulated Star ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Level Data:
Music: [Unknown Track 3]
Mini-Boss: Reverse Direction
Mini-Boss Attack: Back Fin Boomerang (F, D, DF + Fire)
Boss: Dual Horn
Boss Music Track: H.G.Virus
Exits: Zone Eta, Zone Theta
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Powerup Data: Red Green Blue Purple Gold Silver 1-Up
Main: 2 2 1 2 0 0 0
Area G: 3 2 2 2 1 2 0
Total G: 5 4 3 4 1 2 0
Area H: 2 2 3 2 0 3 0
Total H: 4 4 4 4 0 3 0
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Best Red Routes: alA - beC - deG (15R, 10G, 7B, 12P)
alA - beD - deG (15R, 11G, 7B, 11P)
Best Blue Routes: alB - beC - deH (9B, 13R, 11G, 12P)
alB - beD - deH (9B, 13R, 12G, 11P)
Best Green Routes: alB - beD - deG (12G, 14R, 8B, 11P)
alB - beD - deH (12G, 13R, 9B, 11P)
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Zone Overview:
The main area is your basic Darius Asteroid Belt Level, just with your
upgraded PSX polygonal asteroids. Area H gives you an extra shield powerup,
and another homing missile fish (like the one where Zone Alpha splits) is
available there for your fiendish purposes. Area G has an extra Red
available. Not much more to say, really.
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Boss Tactics:
* Dual Horn-G *
After its obligatory dancing around that all bosses seem to do, Dual Horn
will open with a volley of spread fireballs. No big deal here, until some
sort of a beam with a coloured laser on the end appears. The beam is
harmless, but the laser is not. It will chase you around the screen while
you are trying to dodge spread shots. Then, a volley of bullets will come
from Dual Horn's tail. Surviving that, the beam will disappear... but the
laser will split into three homing lasers that will come your way, while
Dual Horn is firing spread shots at you again. If you've brought in a
captured enemy, it might not hurt you to use it: at least you can absorb
the spread shots and destroy the bullets.
Dual Horn will then present its back to you, and begin firing bullets.
Keep to the top of the screen, and when it fires the exploding mines at you
head straight down, to the right just enough to keep you out of the
explosions, then drift back to the top. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. But look out
for DH to charge you from the right.
After that, DH will curl into a donut-shape and roll counterclockwise
around the screen, starting at the left. Dodge the lasers and orange shots,
and destroy the blue ones if necessary.
Then, it will present its underside to you, launch Orange Shield
Thingies(tm), and some spread fireballs. Grab an OST if you need it, and
dodge. Then it will point its tail at you and fire a Beta Beam. Counter it,
but don't get carried away; once it's finished firing, it will charge
straight at you.
* Dual Horn-H *
After its obligatory dancing around that all bosses seem to do, Dual Horn
will open with a volley of spread fireballs. No big deal here, until some
sort of a beam with a coloured laser on the end appears. The beam is
harmless, but the laser is not. It will chase you around the screen while
you are trying to dodge spread shots. Then, a volley of bullets will come
from Dual Horn's tail. Surviving that, the beam will disappear... but the
laser will split into three homing lasers that will come your way, while
Dual Horn is firing spread shots at you again. If you've brought in a
captured enemy, it might not hurt you to use it: at least you can absorb
the spread shots and destroy the bullets.
Dual Horn will then present its back to you, and begin firing bullets.
Keep to the top of the screen, and when it fires the exploding mines at you
head straight down, to the right just enough to keep you out of the
explosions, then drift back to the top. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
DH will stick its head from the right and fire some more spread fireballs
at you. No tricks this time, so enjoy it while it lasts. Then, it will use
its arms to slightly restrict your moving area, then fire single fireballs
and bouncing destructable blue shots. Again, no big deal; destroy what you
can, avoid what you can't. Dual Horn will move around to close you in
further, but the same tactics will still apply.
Then, it will present its underside to you, launch Orange Shield
Thingies(tm), and some spread fireballs. Grab an OST if you need it, and
dodge. It will then draw back, and fire some more spreading fireballs.
Don't get too cocky, because it will suddenly charge to the left side of
the screen. Get around it, then charge up your Alpha Beam to absorb the
Beta Beam that will soon be coming. That should just about finish it off.
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::: Zone Epsilon - Galaxy Islands :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Level Data:
Music: [Unknown Track 3]
Mini-Boss: Reverse Direction
Mini-Boss Attack: Back Fin Boomerang (F, D, DF + Fire)
Boss: Dimension Diver
Boss Music Track: [Unknown Boss Track 2]
Exits: Zone Theta, Zone Iota
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Powerup Data: Red Green Blue Purple Gold Silver 1-Up
Main: 1 2 1 1 0 1 0
Area I: 3 1 3 3 1 2 0
Total I: 4 3 4 4 1 3 0
Area J: 3 1 2 2 0 0 0
Total J: 4 3 3 3 0 1 0
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Best Red Routes: alA - gaE - deI (15R, 9G, 8B, 13P)
alA - gaE - deJ (15R, 9G, 7B, 12P)
alA - gaF - deI (15R, 9G, 9B, 12P)
alA - gaF - deJ (15R, 9G, 8B, 11P)
Best Blue Route: alB - gaF - epI (10B, 14R, 10G, 12P)
Best Green Routes: alB - beD - epI (11G, 13R, 9B, 11P)
alB - beD - epJ (11G, 13R, 8B, 10P)
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Zone Overview:
Another variation of the Standard Darius Asteroid Level, this time with
some floating asteroid islands. Zone I is pretty much the way to go here,
with one extra Blue powerup. Even if it is a background rehash of Zone
Delta, Area H.
[Alan, from the guide book:] DD in Area J is slightly easier, because its
attacks come in a sequence which is more favorable to the player. For
example, after its first firing of the double beta beams, it stays there
for you to apply the full force of your double counter beam to it.
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Boss Tactics:
DD's major claim to fame is its ability to warp space, so that it can
be somewhere in the background, and poke its head in a wormhole and attack
you.
* Dimension Diver-I *
But first, it will open up with a volley of crisscrossing but easily
avoidable laser shots. Then it will move to the top of the screen, and
fire some fireballs and laser shots from its tail. You can destroy the
tail, but I would not recommend that.
DD will then move to the left and some mines will rain down on you.
They can't be destroyed, so avoid them as best you can, and do not go
near the bottom of the screen where they will explode.
DD will warp in from the left, and fire large balls that will explode
into a ring of shots when hit. After that, it'll warp in from the right
and repeat this attack.. only this time it'll create rows of bullets that
will close in on you from the top and bottom. Then he'll warp in from the
left again. Same attack, only missiles this time.
After it launches some Orange Shield Thingies[tm], it will attack from
the right with a dual Beta Beam. Counter it, but you'll not have long
before DD moves out of the way and comes in from the left firing fireballs
at you. Take out its fin to put an end to that. Then it will warp in
from the right launching spinning propellers your way. After that, it'll
launch waves of your standard Darius Anchor-Looking Things and some
homing lasers.
If DD is still around, you'll now get your second chance at some Orange
Shield Thingies[tm] and another dual Beta Beam. There's no excuse for not
winning now.
* Dimension Diver-J *
Like its Area I cousin, this DD opens with the volley of crisscrossing
lasers. These are quite easily avoided. Then it will do its warping trick
and launch a volley of little doohickies at you, that are easily
destroyed. Next, it warps to the left side and fires tons of fireballs at
you. These are a bit more difficult to avoid. Then, it will fire these
multicoloured cubes that break into 8-way shots when destroyed.
Other tactics it may use are the same as above, plus additional bullets
or missiles. Another thing it often does is flood the screen with flame
waves. These can be a pain to avoid, but the attack can be stopped by
destroying DD's fin. However, doing that will make some subsequent attacks
more annoying, so use that as a last resort.
Then, it is Orange Shield Thingy time, then DD throws two Beta Beams at
you. Not only that, it is nice enough to hang around long enough for you to
blow it off the screen. If you take too long, it will point its tail and
fire some bullets while you continue to blast away with your double
counter.
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::: Zone Zeta - Gravity Zero ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Level Data:
Music: [Unknown Track 3]
Mini-Boss: Reverse Direction
Mini-Boss Attack: Back Fin Boomerang (F, D, DF + Fire)
Boss: Absolute Defender
Boss Music Track: [Unknown Boss Track 2]
Exits: Zone Iota, Zone Kappa
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Powerup Data: Red Green Blue Purple Gold Silver 1-Up
Main: 2 2 1 2 0 0 0
Area K: 2 1 2 2 0 0 0
Total K: 4 3 3 4 0 0 0
Area L: 3 1 1 2 0 2 0
Total L: 5 3 2 4 0 2 0
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Best Red Routes: alA - gaE - zeL (16R, 9G, 7B, 13P)
alA - gaF - zeL (16R, 9G, 8B, 12P)
Best Blue Route: alB - gaF - zeK (9B, 14R, 10G, 12P)
Best Green Routes: alB - gaE - zeK (10G, 14R, 8B, 13P)
alB - gaE - zeL (10G, 15R, 7B, 13P)
alB - gaF - zeK (10G, 14R, 9B, 12P)
alB - gaF - zeL (10G, 15R, 8B, 12P)
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Zone Overview:
The main area is a rather cool looking area, graphics-wise. A
homing-missile fish (like the one where Zone Alpha splits) will appear
early on and prove quite useful. Area K gets you a neat approach to a
planet that resembles Uranus (no lame jokes, please).
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Boss Tactics:
Absolute Defender-K may have a few attacks that Absolute Defender-L does
not and vice versa, but there are a few things they have in common.
1) They both have a shield generator that MUST be destroyed before you can
do any damage at all to AD. The generator is the glowing orb on its
chin. However, the generator will regenerate after a short time, and
there does not seem to be any way to destroy it completely.
[Guide book:] The more times you've destroyed the generator, the longer
it takes for it to regenerate. Avoid shooting at the shield too
much, since that would bring on a counterattack.
2) They do not necessarily adhere to any pattern, like the previous bosses
have. They have a finite set of attacks, but may not always do them in
the same order.
Both of them will launch a capturable Missile doodad at you from time to
time, but rest assured it will not survive long during the bullet storms
that AD produces. If you want to be bad, you can charge your Alpha Beam and
hold it until AD decides to Beta Beam you. A much safer plan of action is
to just Alpha Beam AD whenever it's dumb enough to throw something
capturable your way. Not only will it get rid of AD faster, it will absorb
many of his attacks, leaving you with more room to move.
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::: Zone Eta - Glowing Cave :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Level Data:
Music (Main): [Unknown Track 4]
Music (Area M or N): [Unknown Track 2]
Mini-Boss: Gray Stripe
Mini-Boss Attack: Laser + Wave (F, B, DB, D, DF, F + Fire)
Boss: Fire Fossil
Boss Music Track: Adam
Exits: Zone Lambda, Zone Mu
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Powerup Data: Red Green Blue Purple Gold Silver 1-Up
Main: 1 2 2 2 0 1 1
Area M: 2 1 1 2 0 0 0
Total M: 3 3 3 4 0 1 1
Area N: 3 2 2 0 0 0 0
Total N: 4 4 4 2 0 1 1
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Best Red Routes: alA - beC - deG - etN (19R, 14G, 11B, 14P)
alA - beD - deG - etN (19R, 15G, 11B, 13P)
Best Blue Routes: alB - beC - deH - etN (13B, 17R, 15G, 14P)
alB - beD - deH - etN (13B, 17R, 16G, 13P)
Best Green Routes: alB - beD - deG - etN (16G, 18R, 12B, 13P)
alB - beD - deH - etN (16G, 17R, 13B, 13P)
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Zone Overview:
Like all fourth tier levels, Zone Eta is a bit of a hellstorm. Your
biggest threat in the main level is the Mini-Boss. You may want to
detonate a few enemies to protect yourself against its wave attack until
you can capture it for yourself (or destroy it). The large mechanical
hoppers make for very good captures in this and other levels, as well.
Don't miss the one-up hidden in the cave ceiling near where the Mini-boss
first appears!
The boss of this level is Fire Fossil, who is very similar to Queen
Fossil, but much tougher. They share many tactics, so I'll set up this Zone
Guide in much the same way as I did Zone Gamma.
Notice that while Area N gives more powerups, you have a much better
chance of surviving if you take Area M.
* Zone M *
When Fire Fossil appears, it'll come butt first waving a flamethrower
at you. Be sure to blast it now, as doing so might save you some trouble
later... Not only that, but Alpha Beam as many of the cannons above and
below the fire-cannon as possible. Sure, they're harmless now, but you do
_not_ want to deal with them later if you screw up the boss battle. At any
rate, the flamethrower is worth a Blue Orb.
After a few waves of weenies attack, you'll find yourself situated above
3 cannons and a set of Fire Fossil's fins. Try to blast the cannons out of
the way, and be ready for Fire Fossil to toss her fins at you like
boomerangs. One of them holds a Green Orb. One missle volley later, you
find yourself in the same situation as above. Except this time a few Laser
Cannons have been thrown into the mix. Take out the large Laser Cannon for
a Red Orb. Destroy all the Laser Cannons and the pea-shooter Cannons, and
watch out for the boomeranging fins again.
Dodge another missle volley, and take out the weenie swarms again. When
Queen launches another Mini-Boss, grab it if you like and prepare for the
real battle.
* Area N *
You'll be greeted by the sight of Fire Fossil's backside. Lovely, innit?
You can get a Blue Orb by taking out the flamethrower. More importantly,
charge up an Alpha Beam to take out as many of the smaller cannons as you
can. They're fairly harmless now, but will be a major pain later on.
A large cannon arm will now extend your way. Plant yourself right at the
barrel of this thing, since its projectiles can be destroyed. Again, use
the Mini-Boss's special move to help you out, if possible. If not, watch
out for the red homing lasers. A Red Orb will be yours after you destroy
the cannon.
Fire Fossil will back off a bit while some weenies will come your way.
Blast them for a few more orbs, and prepare for two rectangular
installations to come at you. Try to blast off their cannons, and if you've
got an enemy captured, Alpha Beam both of them when they meet at the right
side of the screen.
Next, a large laser cannon will descend from Fire Fossil's belly. Get
above its aim and you can destroy it with no problems whatsoever and get
a Blue Orb for your effort. A few more peon ships will come your way,
followed by another Mini-Boss. Try to grab it, even if you've kept the
one from earlier on, since the older one has probably taken a good bit
of damage by now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boss Tactics:
* Fire Fossil-M *
Fire Fossil will charge from the left side of the screen, with another
flamethrower blazing. Keep to the far right to avoid it, or Alpha Beam to
absorb it.
This is where the fun begins. Fire Fossil will reappear on the left, and
throw some lasers at you. While that goes on, some scales will fly off,
circle around the center of the screen, and fly at you one or two at a
time. After that, it'll charge up not one, not two, not even three, but
four Beta Beams that'll fire one at a time. Grab one of the Orange
Shield Thingies that appear if necessary, and let out an Alpha Beam to
absorb them all and throw them right back at Fire Fossil.
If by some chance you manage to screw this up, Fire Fossil will continue
fighting using the tactics outlined below for Fire Fossil-N.
* Fire Fossil-N *
Fire Fossil will come on screen from the right, launch a few Orange
Shield Thingies, and fire a Beta Beam, then back off. Go ahead and
counter, but be aware that you'll not get in as much damage as you
would like. This is because Fire Fossil will soon present his
side to you, while five lasers will come out. These lasers will absorb
any leftover Alpha Beam you have left. The one on top and the one on
bottom will fire a constant laser that will limit your room to move,
while the three middle ones will shoot shorter lasers. All the while,
little bullets will be coming at you; destroy as many of them as
possible while dodging the lasers. When the lasers are retracted, Fire
Fossil will begin shooting spread shots at you, then launch a volley of
missiles.
Then, he'll swing his rear back on screen, and his tail will produce
a long fire chain while any remaining smaller cannons will shoot fireballs
your way. If you can destroy any more of the smaller ones, great, but it is
probably not worth wasting an Alpha Beam on.
After backing off and firing a volley of missiles that will close in on
you from the top and bottom of the screen, he'll reapproach from the left
with another fire chain. Then, he'll launch a few scales that will gather
in the center of the screen and form a "flower" that will match your
vertical movements, and eventually fly at you. All the while, you have to
dodge a never-ending stream of spread shots.
Then, a few waves of Orange Shield Thingies(tm) will appear. Grab one,
and dodge Fire Fossil's shots until he backs off again. His tail will
reappear once more, and start flamethrowing again. The little cannons will
fire long crisscrossing fire beams that will _severely_ restrict your
space. Now you see why I recommended destroying them earlier.
Dodge a missile volley, and repeat back to step one until FF is
destroyed.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
::: Zone Theta - Gallery ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level Data:
Music: [Unknown Track 4]
Mini-Boss: Gray Stripe
Mini-Boss Attack: Laser + Wave (F, B, DB, D, DF, F + Fire)
Boss: Death Wings
Boss Music Track: H.G.Virus
Exits: Zone Mu, Zone Nu
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Powerup Data: Red Green Blue Purple Gold Silver 1-Up
Main: 2 2 2 2 0 0 1
Area O: 3 0 2 2 1 2 0
Total O: 5 2 4 4 1 2 1
Area P: 2 2 0 2 0 0 0
Total P: 4 4 2 4 0 0 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Red Routes: alA - beC - deG - thO (20R, 12G, 11B, 16P)
alA - beD - deG - thO (20R, 13G, 11B, 15P)
alA - gaE - epI - thO (20R, 11G, 12B, 17P)
alA - gaE - epJ - thO (20R, 11G, 11B, 16P)
alA - gaF - epI - thO (20R, 11G, 13B, 16P)
alA - gaF - epJ - thO (20R, 11G, 12B, 15P)
Best Blue Route: alB - gaF - epI - thO (14B, 19R, 12G, 16P)
Best Green Routes: alB - beD - deG - thP (16G, 18R, 10B, 15P)
alB - beD - deH - thP (16G, 17R, 11B, 15P)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zone Overview:
Travel through the ruins of an ancient civilisation, whilst dodging
billions of bullets. Try to grab the large ground mech early on in the
Main area, since it fires spread shots and homing missiles, adding some
much needed firepower to your ship.
Area O is the way to go powerup-wise, as it has more Red and Blue orbs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boss Tactics:
* Death Wings-O *
Death Wings opens from the right, with a volley of Anchor Things,
spread shots, and those annoying 90-angle homing lasers. Then, DW will
take up residence at the top of the screen, launch Orange Shield
Thingies[tm] and Solidnite Diamonds, while firing lasers directly at you.
After firing some more spread shots, DW will come in from the left and
fire some more shots your way, and a Beta Beam. Counter if possible, but
be aware that DW will slowly creep to the right.
With its tail stuck in the middle of the screen, your space will be
limited as another round of spread shots comes your way. Then DW will
blast off the right side of the screen, come back in from the left,
and fire a volley of bullets. Then, back to the top it goes, with the
same lasers, Solidnite, and Orange Shield Thingies[tm] as before.
DW will now come in from the right with a dual Beta Beam and lots of
bullets. If after countering that, DW is still around, repeat from
step one above.
* Death Wings-P *
Explosive mines and destructable blue shots await you when DW first
approaches. After avoiding those, DW will fly to the left side and
unleash an ungodly amount of shots (with some Solidnite Diamonds for
good measure.) Keep to the right and look for small holes in the
distribution of shots to stay alive (or you could Alpha Beam, but
be careful not to waste you Beam on the Solidnite.)
After that, a few waves of destructable doohickies, then a few
waves of spread shots. Then come the 90-degree search lasers, five at a
time. Then, DW will take up residence at the top of the screen, launch
Orange Shield Thingies[tm] and Solidnite Diamonds, while firing lasers
directly at you. Then it will fly to the right, charge a Beta Beam, while
creeping to the right. If you had softened up DW early on with an Alpha
Beam, countering now should destroy it.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
::: Zone Iota - Glacier :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level Data:
Music: [Unknown Track 4]
Mini-Boss: Tail Blade
Mini-Boss Attack: Wide Laser (F, B, DB, D, DF, F + Fire)
Boss: Eight Feet Umbrella
Boss Music Track: [Unknown Boss Track 1]
Exits: Zone Nu, Zone Xi
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Powerup Data: Red Green Blue Purple Gold Silver 1-Up
Main: 2 2 0 2 1 0 1
Area Q: 2 1 3 3 0 0 0
Total Q: 4 3 3 5 1 0 1
Area R: 2 2 3 1 0 2 0
Total R: 4 4 3 3 0 2 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Red Routes: alA - gaE - zeL - ioQ (20R, 12G, 9B, 18P)
alA - gaE - zeL - ioR (20R, 13G, 9B, 16P)
alA - gaF - zeL - ioQ (20R, 12G, 10B, 17P)
alA - gaF - zeL - ioR (20R, 13G, 10B, 15P)
Best Blue Routes: alB - gaF - epI - ioQ (13B, 18R, 13G, 17P)
alB - gaF - epI - ioR (13B, 18R, 14G, 15P)
Best Green Routes: alB - beD - epI - ioR (15G, 17R, 12B, 14P)
alB - beE - epJ - ioR (15G, 17R, 11B, 13P)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zone Overview:
Just stay out of Zone Iota, period. The glacial backgrounds are quite
pretty, but this level contains some of the most hellacious firestorms
you will ever encounter this side of Greatthing. If you have to come
through here, be sure to pick up the 1-up at the bottom left ice wall
as you make your descent midway through Main.
Look out for a fake power-up or two in Area R. Grab the enemy behind it,
if you want.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boss Tactics:
* Eight Feet Umbrella-Q *
EFU will open by having two of its "feet" shoot flames, reducing your
room to move. All you have to worry about at first is a bunch of those
anchor looking doodads, however. Then, it will throw some of those large
explosive mines at you.
Then it will spin its way to the bottom of the screen, where it will
fire a few homing lasers at you, then proceed to block off the screen
again with some longer blue lasers. Then, it will spin up to the top and
repeat. Then to the left side, repeat again.
When it stops spinning, it will remain at the left side and fire some
lasers that bounce around the screen. These are easily avoided. Then it
will travel to the right, fire these donut lasers that can be flown through
(if timed correctly), while throwing more mines at you. It will then launch
some enemies, so grab one. Charge your Alpha Beam, and absorb the three
Beta Beams EFU will fire at you. That should be more than enough to finish
it off.
* Eight Foot Umbrella-R *
Don't get infront of EFU's feet, since they'll be firing electric beams
at you. Feel free to Alpha Beam here, if you've got something captured.
Look out for the few sets of explosives that EFU will launch after the
electric beam part.
Then it will spin its way to the bottom of the screen, where it will
fire a few homing lasers at you, then proceed to block off the screen
again with some longer blue lasers. Then, it will spin up to the top and
repeat. Then to the left side, repeat again.
Now, EFU will remain at the left side and launch Solidnite Bullets your
way. Dodge and/or destroy these. Grab yourself one of the enemies it
launches, and hang to the far left, and destroy a path through the swarm
of bullets that will be coming.
Finally, EFU will fly to the left, and charge up a Beta Beam or three.
Absorb them, and send them right back to EFU.
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