Solaris

Name:	Solaris
Company:	Atari
Model #:	CX-26136
Programmer:	Doug Neubauer
Year:	1986
Released?	Yes
Notes:	Originally called Universe.

Often cited as one of the best Atari 2600 games ever in terms of graphics and gameplay, Solaris is a masterpiece of fierce shooting action with a healthy dose of strategy thrown in.  Unbeknownst to most people, Solaris actually started out as a game called Universe (as noted in the source code), but was quickly renamed The Last Starfighter when Atari needed a game based on the new movie.  Why Solaris was choosen to become TLSF is unknown, but Tod Frye was working on an official version which he quickly abandoned.  Atari may have wanted Tod to work on other higher priority projects, and by slapping The Last Starfighter name on a generic space themed game they were kill two birds with one stone (Atari got their game and Tod was now free to work on other things).  However, as crafty as Atari was in rushing TLSF out the door, it was never released due to the crash of 1984.  It wasn't until Atari Corp. (not Atari Inc.) decided to revive the 2600 in 1986 that Solaris was finally released (minus the Last Starfighter license).

The Zylons are back, and it's your job to wipe them out once and for all. But this is a hush-hush mission since if the Zylons were to figure out you're on to them you'd be vaporized on the spot.  So the official report says you're out to find the legendary lost planet of Solaris and rescue the Atarian Federation Pioneers.  However if the Zylons get there first they'll obliterate the Solaris and all the colonists.  So buckle up, strap in, and fire up those hyperwarp engines.  It's a mad dash to Solaris.

After taking off from your home base, you'll be presented with a map of the current galaxy (16 total galaxies with 48 sectors each!).  Your top of the line scanner (made in Japan) is able to track the movements of all enemy forces, along with showing you the location of all the planets, corridors, star clusters, wormholes and exits in the current galaxy.  Your scanner also displays a Jump value at the bottom of the screen which constantly counts down.  This jump value is really a timer which governs when the Zylon forces and wormholes move.  When the Jump timer reaches zero, all the enemies will move to adjacent sector.  The Jump timer also determines how long you have to save a planet that is under attack (more on this later).  Also represented on the scanner is your ships current location (represented by an X) and your currently selected destination (represented by a flashing X).  By moving the X cursor and pressing the fire button, you can plot a course and hyperwarp to the selected location.

Jumping through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy!

Traveling through hyperspace can be a wee bit tricky in Solaris.  As soon as you've selected your desired destination and pushed the fire button you'll be taken back to the main screen and a small countdown will begin.  As your ship builds up more and more power for the hyperspace jump you'll notice it begin to split into two images, it is imperative that you try and keep these two images lined up as much as possible (this is called keeping your ship in focus).  The number on the right-hand side of your scanner indicates your current focus value (0 is perfect, 3 is terrible), by keeping the focus value near or at zero you can reduce the amount of fuel used when hyperwarping.  Try and master keeping your ship in focus, as it may save your life some day.

Now's as good a time as any to talk about your main console display.  At the bottom of the main screen you'll see a strange grid with some constantly changing numbers on either side, this is your radar screen.  The radar grid in the middle shows you where enemy ships are in the immediate vicinity of your vessel, while the numbers on either side show the left/right (left hand numbers) and up/down (right hand numbers) distance of other enemy ships.  Using these numbers to track down the enemy can be tricky, but sometimes it's necessary when an enemy doesn't want to be found.  If your radar screen is flashing all kinds of weird colors it means its been knocked offline by and enemy shot, make sure your land and repair it ASAP!  Also displayed on the main console are your remaining lives (shown in the bottom left hand corner) and your fuel (shown on the bottom right).  Make sure you watch your fuel constantly, as if it runs out your ship is toast!  A warning sound will let you know you when your fuel is low (the fuel gauge will flash as well), use this opportunity to land on the nearest planet and refuel.

There are two types of planets in Solaris (not counting Solaris itself): Federation planets, and Zylon planets.  Federation planets are the asterix shaped symbols on your map and provide a safe place to refuel and repair your ship.  Once you've landed on a Federation planet, slow down (pull back n the joystick) and search the planet for the docking bay using your radar.  Docking bays resemble giant VCR's, and you must carefully fly into the center of them to refuel (only one docking bay per planet).  Destroying the docking bay will result in the destruction of the planet itself so be careful not to fire around them.  If the planet you've landed on is currently under attack you'll be greeted by Gliders and Raiders instead of the normal planet inhabitants.  To save a planet that is being invaded you must destroy all the enemies on the planet before the Jump timer counts down to zero.  If the planet is not saved it will destruct and create a red zone (more on this later), but if you've saved the invaded planet you can refuel as normal.

Zylon Planets resemble ball with a ring around it, and are your chance to snag an extra life.  As you've probably guessed, Zylon planets are infested with, what else, Zylons!  However hidden amongst the Zylon hordes are three stranded space cadets.  By rescuing all the stranded cadets you can gain an extra life (and destroy the offending planet), however if you miss a cadet the planet will simply self-destruct but will not turn into a red zone.  Red zones occur when a Federation planet in the sector has been destroyed (either by Zylon forces or your own stupidity).  Red zones cause the entire galaxy to fill with deadly red radiation (exactly what were those Federation guys doing on that planet?) for an indefinite period of time.  This radiation will cause your ships control to malfunction and reverse themselves!  Obviously this makes fighting the enemy much more difficult as they aren't affected by the radiation at all.  Try and get out of the affected galaxy as soon as possible.  Rumor has it that the lost planet of Solaris is located in the center of a giant red zone.

The Zylon armada is comprised of several types of ships, each with its own personality and attack method.  Thankfully your scanner is able to determine what type of enemy is currently in the sector so you can plan accordingly (i.e. avoid the tough guys!).

Kogalon Star Pirates		These guys are on nobodys side, as they attack both you and the Zylon ships.  However don't count on them defending you from a Zylon horde, they seem to hate you more than the Zylons.  Watch out they don't run into you with their occasional suicide runs.
Mechnoids		These quick moving little guys just love to dart in and out avoiding your shots.  They may start out easy, but as the battle progresses they move faster and faster.  Make sure you don't underestimate them.
Flag Ships		Star Raiders veterans may recognize these lumbering behemoths from the old days.  Flag Ships are big and clumsy, but make up for this by shooting out loads of Distractors.  Flag Ships have no weapons, but they have a bad tendency to run into your ship so be careful.
Distractors		Distractors are the only type of ship you can safely run into, this is a good thing since they're fast and suicidal.  However each time a Distractor rams your ship it will rob you of some fuel so try and avoid them and take out the Flag Ship ASAP.
Cobra Ships		These are the deadliest enemies in the whole game.  Cobra Ships are fast, smart, and can quickly avoid your shots.  Taking on a whole fleet of them is near suicide, but with a little planning (and lots of luck) you'll come out on top.  Try and avoid these guys whenever possible.
Attack Groups		Attack Groups appear on the map as a large star cruiser.  Each Attack Group consists of a few Flag Ships, Mechanoids, and Pirates.  This mixture can be deadly, so take extreme caution. Thankfully Cobra Ships do not appear in Attack Groups.
Blockaders		Blockaders are really spinning space mines that block certain exits on the map.  Blockaders appear in swarms and quickly move in all directions trying to ram your ship.  Touching a Blockader is instant death so try and keep to one side of the screen when weaving through one of their swarms.
Gliders		Gliders appear on planet surfaces and appear to glide across the screen as they shoot at you (hence their names).  However Gliders have a predictable pattern and with a little practice can be easily dealt with.
Raiders		Raiders appear with Gliders on planet surfaces, but are a little more erratic in their movement.
Targeters		Targeters appear on some planet surfaces, and as their name suggests, they like to come right at you.  It's shoot or be rammed when it comes to tackling Targeters.
Guardians		Guardians only appear in Corridors, guarding the key to the Ion Gate.  Guardians are stationary and will not fire at your ship unless you fire at them first.  However your ship can still be destroyed by colliding with a Guardian so take care not to underestimate them.

As you make your way to Solaris, you'll undoubtedly run into two of the galaxies most annoying natural phenomenons: Corridors and Wormholes.  Corridors are long dangerous tunnels that connect two galaxy sectors.  Traveling through a corridor is tricky at best and will most likely cost you a few lives in the process.  Once you've plotted a course into a corridor you'll appear to be on a planet with several Zylon forces, ignore them for the time being and make your way to the docking bay.  Once entered, the docking bay will take you to the actual corridor screen which is really a long tunnel full of Guardians.  Your ship must travel at full speed to successfully make it through the corridor so be careful not to run into any of the stationary Guardians (or their shots).  As you approach the end of the corridor you'll see a glowing Ion Gate and a key, make sure you grab the key before you smash into the gate or you'll loose a life.  Since you're traveling at top speed, grabbing the key can be tricky.  Once you've made it through the Ion Gate, the corridor will self-destruct and you'll appear on the other side.

Wormholes are tricky beasts.  Entering a wormhole will cause your ship to do a double warp (one right after the other) and you'll appear on the other side.  Using wormholes you can jump to the other side of star clusters, enabling you to get to areas that you normally couldn't reach.  Unlike other celestial bodies, wormholes move with the Jump counter, so be patient and jump into a wormhole only when it's in the proper position.  Careful use of wormholes are the only way to make it to legendary planet of Solaris.

Solaris is an amazingly deep and challenging 2600 game which somehow manages to keep its gameplay simple enough to remain fun (no need to keep pulling out the manual).  Solaris pushes the 2600 to its utmost limits, taking it far beyond where the original creators thought it could go (take a quick look at Combat and then take another look at Solaris).  Although most players will never complete the game (Solaris is one of the few 2600 games that actually does have an ending), Solaris remains entertaining without becoming overly frustrating.

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