Walkthrough[]
This will give a blow by blow, screen by screen walkthrough of every planet. Note, however, that aside from the reactor planet, creator John Dondzila did not name any of these planets, so these are just going to be named after the positions they occupy in a solar system, along with a brief description as to how I feel they look (yours may vary ;) ).
- Planet at 12 o'clock position (ring planet)
- Two o'clock (eye planet)
- Four o'clock (Reactor planet)
- Six o'clock (stalactite planet)
- Eight o'clock (horn planet)
- 10 o'clock (rotating moons planet)
Also, the majority of this guide will only give instructions when traveling to the left of each planetary surface run, so if you prefer traveling to the right, the strategies will change order as to what you will be facing, although most of them can still be followed through (although in the reverse order as told in this guide). Going over every combination possible would make this guide even more lengthy as it is!
Also note the position of where the interceptors originate from as well on the screenshots, although ones marked with AAI (for "alien air interceptors") indicate where they originally appear from, in case I took a screenshot a moment or two after they appeared and their position is actually a little off (which these do not appear until level 2).
Level 1 solar system walkthrough[]
12 o'clock planet (first screen)
Shoot the bunker at the top center, then the one at below left. Watch out for the Air interceptors, as you should turn on your shields when they fire. Pick up the human and fly left to the next screen.
Second screen
Pick up the fuel tank at bottom right, then fly upwards to pause/hover at point A (see Gallery below), being shielded by the wall, and thrust and fire at an angle towards the Interceptor(s) if it’s/they are there. Shoot the nearby bunker (or drop back down to A and wait for it to fire before flying back up and shooting at it), then the one at the left while either using shields or taking out an interceptor if it appears.
Pause at B and wait for the nearest bunker (at center) to fire, then drop down and shoot it. Shoot the bunker at the right afterwards, then grab the human and fuel tank. Either wait for the interceptors at about point B again, using the wall as a shield, shooting one or both of them or using your shields and proceeding to the next screen.
Third screen
You should be able to shoot the bunker at right before it starts shooting. Once you drop down to shoot the middle bunker, then pick up the humans and fuel tank, you could still be susceptible to interceptor fire at point A, so use the middle section as a shield and pick them off when they fly by if they’re there. Shoot the last bunker and proceed left to the next screen.
Fourth screen
Pick up the human and skip to and shoot the bunker, or get the bunker out of the way first, then go back for the human, although you’ll have to watch out for the interceptors (although you could fly back right to the previous screen, then fly left again to this screen to delay the bunker from firing and the interceptors from coming out. Use your shields for the interceptors, along with dealing with bunkers, although at each point A you’re pretty safe from bunker fire. Destroy the bunker, pick up the fuel tank, then descend to the other corner in the same manner, as well as with destroying that bunker in the same manner/position, beam up the human and fly left back to the first screen (while keeping an eye on interceptors and using your shields).
First screen (again)
Get the fuel tank at the bottom right, then take out the bunker(s), which the middle one (if it’s still there) you should be able to fire at point A at an angle and destroy it via a safe diagonal, then be on the ready to use your shields for the interceptors as you fly off the planet.
2 o’clock planet
Shoot the bunker at top center, then drop down for the human to the left. This planet has odd gravity, which pulls you inwards, so thrust away at an opposite angle, i. e. at this point, thrust at an upper left angle. Fly to point A, waiting for the Interceptor from the right to fly by, using the walls as a shield, then shoot it. Wait for the bunker right below you to fire, thrust towards area B, then shoot it and return to A. Then wait for the interceptor at the bottom to come to point C, then thrust towards B and shoot it. Pick up the human at D, then take out the bottom center bunker from about point E, being very careful to shoot straight right, since if you shoot at an angle, you could hit the human at point F. Rescue it then, then wait for the bunker to fire, then thrust towards point G to shoot it in the same way you did on the left side. Then beam the fuel tank and leave the planet then, minding an interceptor by shooting it or using shields to get past it as you leave the planet.
6 o’clock planet
Shoot the bunker at A and possibly Z too, if you wish. (You’ll probably have to take out an Interceptor as well.) Pick up the human at B, then fly down to C, wait for the bunker at point D to fire, then drop down and shoot it. Destroy the bunker at E, pick up the fuel tank and proceed to the next screen.
Second screen
You should have plenty of time to destroy the bunker at A before it starts shooting, then pick up the human and fuel cell. Either nail the interceptor at point B (if you don’t have to wait too long for it), using the planet surface as cover from the interceptor’s fire, or destroy the bunker nearby, then get the interceptor and the bunker at point C. You should use your shields to protect yourself as you drop down to the bunkers at D and E (which point Z will protect you from bunker D’s fire, and also destroy the bunker above point Z first). Wait for one to shoot, then destroy it, then the other, grab the fuel tank and go to the next screen.
Third screen
You should have plenty of time to shoot the bunker right underneath before it starts shooting, then beam up the nearby fuel tank and human, then destroy the bunker at point A. By the time you make it to point C, an interceptor will probably be coming into range, so make sure you use the landscape at left for cover and only shoot straight up at the interceptor, rather than at an angle and risk killing the human at point B. Once the interceptor’s gone, beam up that human, wait for the bunker opposite the one at point A to shoot, then drop down and destroy it, and beam up the fuel tank and dispose of the last bunker.
Fourth screen
You should have time to shoot the bunker at point A before it fires, but beware the interceptor that will be right on your tail. Once you drop down to the B area, as usual, shoot whatever bunker is not firing at you, pick up the fuel tank and humans above you, although be sure to use shields and/or take out the interceptor(s) flying overhead, as you should definitely take them out before shooting and flying over the area where the bunker is at point C, because new interceptors will appear right by the left screen edge! (You can use point D as cover against the interceptors.) Take the fuel tank and you’ll return to the first screen to finish up.
First screen (again)
Shoot the bunker at point Y, taking caution against the interceptors (use shields and/or shoot them), beam up the human, then destroy the last Z bunker (if it’s still there) and exit the planet, but make sure you don’t fly into the sun though once you return to the solar system screen!
8 o’clock planet
Shoot the bunker right below you, then proceed left and destroy that one. Be wary of interceptors as you move left to the second screen (note: ignore all the points in the photograph in the Gallery below; those will come up later), which I employ what I call the skipping technique, where I use a little thrust, shoot a bunker at an angle, thrust a little more left, then shoot and thrust again, heading left to the third screen. Again, beware of interceptors and ignore everything labeled in the photo for now.
Third screen
This is where things get a bit congested. Take out the bunker at point A, then the one at point B if you can before an interceptor comes out; if not, shoot the interceptor (as well as the one that appears at the right), then destroy the center bunker below at point D. Fly to about point C and take out the left bunker at a downward diagonal angle, then pick up the fuel tank and head to the next screen.
First screen (again)
Now you’re back at the first screen, but below the surface. Fly to the point A area and shoot the bunker at point B; if you shoot from points A and C at those respective bunkers, you should never get hit. Pick up the humans and fuel tank and proceed to the next screen.
Second screen (again)
Pick up the fuel tank, then shoot at the bunker at point A, then shoot the top left bunker and go back for the human (or you can pick it up before you shoot the bunker). Destroy the other bunker from either point B (either one is pretty safe), then fly to the next screen (which is the third screen again), picking up that fuel tank and shooting the bunker to the right from point D, which you should do it before it fires if you’re quick enough. Be sure to use your shields as you fly through the small opening with the interceptors flying by to fly to the next screen at left, take out the last remaining bunker and leave the planet.
10 o’clock planet
Fly left, shooting the bunkers. Be sure to use your shields when needed since the interceptors’ fire can go a long way. Pick up the human and fuel if you want, but I usually save those long caverns for last (just make sure to drop straight down without moving left or right, as you won’t crash into a wall then) until I complete all the other screens first, then proceed left to the second screen.
Second screen
Drop down to shoot the bunker at point A. Grab the fuel tank, but be wary of the firepower that you will be facing, as you’ve got the bunker at point B. I’d go ahead and shoot that – which you should be able to take it out at an angle at point C – then probably take out one or both interceptors that are overhead; either that, or drop down for the human, then go after them, as you’ll still have two bunkers remaining to the left. Having bunkers AND interceptors shooting all at once isn’t a good thing! If you destroy the interceptors, shooting the bunker at point D can be accomplished at around point E via diagonal angle. Shoot the remaining bunker at about point F, then beam up the fuel tank, although you might want to wait for both interceptors to appear at point F (if not a little lower) before flying left to the next screen, since you could collide with one of them.
Third screen
Drop to the bottom right to take out the bunker (you should be able to do it before it shoots) and beam up the human. Take out the bottom interceptor, then use shields as you drop to area A. Shoot the bunker at the right (you might want to wait until it fires first just to be safe), pick up the human and fuel tank, then shoot the bunker at the top of the vertical left column via diagonal shot at a little below point A. The lower interceptor should appear at area B, so be wary of that. Once that threat is over with (either by shooting or letting it go by/using your shields for protection), drop down to point C to beam up the human and shoot the last bunker, as that is a pretty safe position right above the human.
Then fly left back to the first screen to take out the remaining bunkers (which you should be able to do via safe diagonals at points A and B), then dropping down for any remaining fuel tanks and humans. Just be sure to use shields, as the lone interceptor can fire pretty far down. However, you should be able to take it out in a fairly safe spot, due to the high columns (like at either point C), then fly off the planet.
Reactor planet
Fly along the passageways until you reach the beginning of each curve (point A), which, at that point, you should have more than enough momentum to turn, thrust a little, and start heading towards point B, and then start hauling butt again once you reach the straightaways at point C. Point D (give or take a centimeter or two ;) ) is where you will be in range for the reactor; once you have hit it, turn around and haul out in the exact same manner, but in the reverse: start turning at point C, thrust a little towards point B, then go full speed towards every point A (until the first point C in the photo) until you’re out.
Level 2 solar system walkthrough[]
12 o'clock planet (first screen)
Shoot the bunker near the top center at point A; you should be able to do that before the interceptor appears at the top left corner, so be sure to take that out when it shows up afterwards. Beam up the human at point B. Watch out for the interceptor and destroy it when it comes out from that upper left corner, or just use your shield for protection and let it fly by. Go to point C then, wait for the bunker below to fire, then destroy it by flying left towards point D while turning and firing at it. Wait for the bunker at point E to fire after that, then drop down and shoot it. Wait for the bunker at point F to fire, then shoot it, although be alert to use shields since it will be the last one remaining and will be firing often by then. You should probably beam up the human first at point G, THEN go for the fuel tank in the corner, since you won’t burn up as much fuel when you get that last as you move onto the second screen (but be sure not to hit any walls on your way in though).
Second screen
Drop down to destroy the bunker at point A, which you should be able to do so before it fires at you. Shoot the other bunker to the left, and you should probably get the human there first, then go for the fuel tank at the bottom. Be wary of any interceptors in the area of point B, using the walls as a shield as you wait for them at point C. Also, as you head off for point D for those targets, be wary of any interceptors there and get ready to fire and use your shields as protection.
With that way clear, fly to point E and wait for the bunker at point F to fire, then drop down and destroy it. Take the same action for the last one there (wait for it to fire while using your shields if you have to), as with it being the last one left it will fire fairly often, so be ready. Once it’s gone, get the human, then the fuel tank and exit left, although be wary of any interceptors, using the wall at about point E to shield you from their fire, or you can just go left to the next screen if the coast is clear.
Third screen
Take out the bunker at point A, then get the human. Here is where things get hairy, so take things one at a time, such as shooting the bunker at point B, while being aware of the interceptors overhead. Take one or both out if you can, especially since their fire is more accurate as opposed to bunkers. You might want to fly to the corner at point C before shooting the bunker above that area, as chances are low it will shoot you, then get the human. Destroy any interceptors if possible, then shoot the last bunker at D, waiting for it to fire (while using the wall as a shield) at about point E and then flying up to shoot it, then keep flying left to the next screen.
Fourth screen/first screen (again)
If you can get the rhythm to it correct, you can kind of “skip” around by shooting the bunker at point A (note: there is one at that point, this screenshot was taken after it was destroyed), then fly left a bit and apply just enough thrust to skip over and shoot the next bunker. (You’ll have to be quick anyway, since interceptors will be on your tail not long after entering this screen.) Start dropping down to the B area, taking out the two right bunkers, depending on which one is firing; go for the one that just fired, then take out the other one and scoop up the human and the fuel tanks at the bottom. Use area C as a shield as you wait for the bunker at point D to fire, then fly up and shoot it. Either wait for the interceptors to leave the area before flying left (if they are there) or take out one or both of them before leaving the screen, which will take you back to the first screen. Be careful not to fly into the wall! Beam up the last human at point Z and then fly off the planet.
2 o'clock planet
Drop down to point A to get the human, then stay there until the interceptor gets to about point B and then shoot it, using the walls in that area for cover (and note that this interceptor first appears at the upper left corner where it is marked as AAI in the photo). Fly to point C and wait for the bunker below to fire, then fly a little more to the left to shoot it. Remember as you fly to point D for the fuel tank that you will start being pulled INWARDS, so you’ll have to turn your ship facing towards point E (to the left) and thrust away a little in that direction. Collect the tank, but then wait right there, as interceptors will be appearing and their fire can still reach you if you’re not in that little safety area. Wait until the bottom interceptor is at about point F (bottom left corner), then fly out a little towards point E and shoot it. Fly down to point G, wait for the bunker at point H to fire, then fly down to about point F and shoot it. Treat the human at point I in the same manner as collecting the fuel tank at point D, as you’ll have to fly towards the bottom of the screen, rather than be pulled inwards.
Wait for the last bunker at J (on the right side) to fire before flying out from point K to shoot it, although be wary of the interceptor probably reappearing at point L in the corner. Grab the last fuel container in the same manner at point M as you did with collecting the previous human and fuel (i. e. fly outwards towards point N due to the inwards gravitational pull), then fly up and shoot the last bunker at point O after it has fired, then fly out and up to exit the level. Just don’t fly too far to the right or else you’ll wrap back towards point D, where you could fly into the wall and die!
6 o'clock planet
Shoot the bunker at point A, then take out the interceptor in the B area (top left corner). Wait for the bunker to fire at point C, then fly left and shoot that. You may have time to shoot the bunker at point D before the interceptor makes it back to your area in that channel near the bottom (marked with a Z). You can then scoop up the fuel tanks at the very bottom of the screen, wait for the bunker at point E to fire, then fly out from point F to shoot it. Use the area where it used to be as cover for when the bunker above it fires, then fly up a little to shoot that one as well.
At some point, though, depending on how things go, the interceptor will reappear in area Z again. Just use one of the areas at the bottom center as cover (marked as points F and Fa) and then shoot it when it gets in range, then pick up the human in the center area when you can, then fly left to the next screen (which you might want to fly through area G in case the interceptor comes out, which would result in missing a collision with it).
Second screen
Be very careful when shooting at the bunker at point A if you do it from the side, as you might have enough time (and not be hit) if you are to fly left and collect the human first, then shoot the bunker. (To minimize this risk, though, you should fire at an angle as denoted in the picture.) Wait in that area until the interceptor from area B flies overhead, using the walls for shields and then shoot it (while keeping in mind the interceptor’s fire from area C can still reach you, so be prepared to use shields). Shoot the bunker at point D, then grab the fuel tank from the center and drop down to point E to get the human, which you should be safe from the bunker next to it, so take the bunker out next while being aware of the interceptors coming out in the meantime. Destroy the bunker at point F in the same manner (using the walls as a shield), then take out the top middle bunker when you can after it has fired (while again being wary of interceptors/use your shield). Fly off the planet then, but be careful not to fly into the sun on the solar system screen!
8 o'clock planet
Shoot the bunker at point A, then fire at the interceptor that will fly right above the human at the right when it appears not long afterwards. Pick up the human at point B, then wait at for the bunker below that area to fire, then fly out to the left and shoot it. Drop down to point C, wait for the bunker below it to fire, then drop down more to shoot it. The interceptor flying in that area should be coming your way then, so try to be able to shield yourself from its fire, then destroy it as quickly as possible.
From there you can either get the fuel tank at the center or wait at point D for the bunker to the right to fire, then drop down and shoot it, depending on how much fuel you have left. You might be able to take out the bunker there, then go back for the fuel if you have enough. Shoot the bunker at point E afterwards, keeping in mind that interceptor fire can still reach on there, so you might want to hang around somewhere in area F to somewhat be shielded by them, then shoot the interceptor in the top area when you can, fly up and get the last human, then head left to the next screen.
Second screen
Here if you act quickly enough, you could be able to shoot the bunkers at points A and B before they get in a single shot at you and before the interceptor appears right overhead (this will be in the channel marked as area Y), but that will probably be unlikely. Just pick one target and destroy it, then drop down towards the human at point C, ready your shields for the interceptor, then take it out if you can. Next you’ll wait for whatever bunker is left to fire, then fly up a little and shoot it, then get the human. Be wary of the interceptor in the top area of the screen (marked as area Z), as its fire will be able to reach you, so use your shields if you have to. Start to head to the bottom center area (area E) and shoot the bunker at point D on your way down if you can handle it, although the bunker in area E usually shoots straight upwards, so have your shields ready to use. Shoot it when you can and beam up the fuel tanks. When the interceptor appears in that area, stay down there and use the walls as shields and shoot it as it comes into range, then destroy the bunker at point F with a diagonal shot from point G, then head left into the next screen. However, the bottom interceptor could appear and either destroy you with its fire or upon impact if you collide with it, so you might want to fly to the next screen in area H just to be safe.
Third screen
Again like with the previous screen, you’ll probably only have enough time to take out one of the bunkers at either points A or B before the interceptor that flies along the area of point Y appears, so you’ll probably be better off just destroying one of those bunkers, then staying by point B as you wait for the interceptor to either fly by so you can shoot it or wait (with your shields on until it flies past out of firing range) for it to come back towards you in area B and use the wall there as a shield until it comes into range (and beam up the fuel tank in the meantime). Shoot the other bunker when you can (at either points A or B), then head over to the bunker at point D and destroy that one, as you should be able to get it at a diagonal in that area without being shot.
(You also might want to destroy the right bunker at area C while you’re at it, but there are many variables to this screen, as shooting those bunkers in that area could come last, depending on the situation, but they are to be kept in mind.)
Wait until the bunker at point E fires, then drop down and destroy it, along with beaming up the human. Take out the bunkers at point C when you get the chance (if you haven’t already), then fly left to the next screen, although be careful: nearly the top entire half of the screen consists of a wall, so either fly lower than the center of the screen or just be careful not to hit the wall.
And one last tip: the interceptors that patrol areas Y and Z will be able to reach you with their shots no matter where you are on the screen, so keep that in mind and use your shields once the need arises.
Fourth screen
Take out the bunkers at point A (you should have time to do this before they fire), then rescue the human at point B. As you fly towards area C, be ready to use your shield, as the bunker there is usually firing straight down. It is MANDATORY for the human to be rescued first, since, once the interceptors come out (they shouldn’t appear until you’re in this area), if you fire straight down at them in that vertical channel right below area C, you could shoot and kill the human by accident.
If you have plenty of fuel left after destroying the lone bunker in area C, you might want to wait until the interceptors come out, destroy one or both of them, then go for the fuel tanks. Once you’ve beamed them up, wait at point D for the bunkers in area E to fire, then drop down and destroy them once you feel safe from their fire, then fly off the planet.
10 o'clock planet
Collect the human at point A; from there pause and prepare to shoot the interceptor that will fly along the top of the screen at point B. Shoot the bunker at point C at about point D, which will also allow you to destroy the interceptor that travels along area F at the bottom, as well as the bunkers at point E if you keep on coasting left. However, be prepared to use your shields from enemy firepower, as well as turning around and thrusting back upwards if you fall too close to the ground.
Pick up the humans in between points C and G when you can; if you’re running out of fuel, you might want to beam that up first, and wait in the area left of where the photo shows the interceptor coming out, using the wall as protection against the bunker fire, then fly towards the right and destroy it after it shoots. (Also keep in mind that interceptor fire can reach you from either one, no matter what position you’re in, so be alert to use your shields at any given time.) Fly back towards area E when you can, although be alert for an interceptor and use your shields accordingly, then fly to the right in area G to the next screen.
Second and third screens
Here if you use the skipping technique to apply enough thrust to shoot, then keep on going right, shooting a bunker, then applying more thrust until you reach the next bunker, then destroy it, etc., you should be able to destroy them all (if you do it correctly) without any of them shooting you, which will take you to the third screen. There’s only a few bunkers which, again, you should be able to destroy them before they shoot at you (since there are ones overhead that will shoot as well, not allowing others to fire, since they only shoot one at a time). Pick up the fuel and head back left two screens, but once you re-emerge at the first screen, use caution as you head to the next one (which is actually the third screen in the labeled photo), as there will be a wall right there once you enter that screen.
Third and second screens (again)
Go to point A and shoot the bunker at point C, which you might be able to do before the interceptor traveling in area B appears, plus you should be able to take it out before it starts firing as well. Destroy the other bunker on your way out, being alert to using your shields at any moment from its fire, as well as the other interceptor’s, then drop down before returning to the second screen, which there will be three more bunkers there. Be wary of interceptors overhead/use shields when necessary, and “skip” around, applying enough thrust to shoot one, then coast over to the other, as well as turning your ship around/thrusting enough to make sure it doesn’t crash against the landscape, then leave the planet once you’ve destroyed the last one, as you will probably be pretty low on fuel by then.
Reactor planet
Start flying down the first vertical corridor fast, but once you start nearing point A, you’ll need to ease off on the thrust by coasting and turning, then thrusting to the right, along with being careful, since that corridor at point A is skinnier than the first one you entered. Start coasting, turning and applying counter-thrust (going upwards this time) once you start nearing point B, then again start slowing down and applying counter-thrust as you start heading left near point C. Once you reach point D, all you have to do is face downwards and shoot; as long as you shoot straight down, you’ll hit the reactor, as you won’t have to get any closer to it like you did with the level 1 reactor before it gets in range of your shots.
Once you hit it, just reverse your course: start coasting/applying counter-thrust/start speeding up once you near point C, coast/slow down/apply counter-thrust to the left, then speed back up once you near point B, etc., back up to E and on your way out to the final solar system.
Level 3 solar system walkthrough[]
12 o’clock planet
First and second screens
When you first enter this planet, there is nothing to do on the first screen initially, so just fly left to the second screen. From there it’d probably be best to wait a few seconds until the interceptors appear from area A, then shoot them. Note the bunker down below at point C and prepare to use shields for protection from its fire and the interceptors (however, since bunkers’ fire isn’t very accurate, it probably won’t shoot you). Once the interceptors are destroyed, drop down to point B (while having your shields at the ready in case the bunker there fires at you), then fly up high enough to fire a diagonal towards the upper left to destroy that bunker, then drop down to point D to shoot the bunkers to the left and right of you.
Now, once the bunker to the left of point D has been destroyed, you can fly along the line/area of point E and probably never get shot by the bunker at point G. Fly up to point F to shoot that bunker, then pick up the fuel tank as you fly left to the next screen.
Third screen
Beam up the human, then shoot the two bunkers to the left of area A. Again, if you stay in that area, they won’t shoot you. Continue left to pick up the other human and fuel tank as you travel to the fourth screen.
Fourth screen
Beam up the fuel tank. Note the bad bottleneck of enemies in area A: there are bunkers firing overhead in area B AND interceptors above them as well. What you should do is wait for a few seconds (after you get the fuel) for the interceptors to come out and move towards area C, then thrust over to area A and shoot at diagonal angles at the bunkers in area B (marked as BA and BB), which you won’t be shot by them as long as you stay in area A (which might take a few practice runs in order to fire at the right angles to take out those bunkers, but it can be done though). Thrust up a bit to area B when the interceptors come into range and shoot them, then float back down to area A and take out the remaining bunkers when you can. Keep an eye out on your fuel level and drop down to beam up the other fuel tank if you have to in case you haven’t destroyed all the bunkers in area B, then shoot the last bunker at point D when you can. Again, stay in the line at area A and it won’t shoot you, then beam up the human and last fuel tank (if you haven’t already) before traveling left and back to the first screen.
First screen (again)
If you’re quick enough, you should be able to shoot the bunkers at points A and B before they start firing at you. Area C can be a bit tricky though, as you’re going to have to gently apply just enough thrust to not hit the walls below or above that area as you turn just enough to beam up the fuel tanks and human, then turn your ship back to thrust a little upwards again to remain airborne.
Afterwards, go to point D and fire down at the bunker at point E, which it shouldn’t hit you, then drop down towards point E and fire at the last remaining bunker at left, then beam up the fuel tank as you fly left towards the second screen.
Second and third screens (again)
At the second screen, beam up the human (unless you already did that), then fly up at point D to get out of that underground area. Be wary of the interceptors appearing, as by the time you go to the third screen, you’ll probably be quite low on fuel, so it would probably be best to not wait for the interceptors to make it to the right area of the screen before you start heading left (plus their fire will still be able to reach you anyway). So use your shields as you head to the third screen and use the skipping technique to apply just enough thrust to carry you to the bunkers as you thrust, turn and shoot the first one you come to, thrust over towards the second one, then turn and shoot downwards at that one. The only thing is you’re going to have to watch for the interceptors and use shields when you can; other than that, after the last bunkers are gone, fly off the planet.
2 o’clock planet
First screen
Before you do anything, wait for the interceptor to appear in area A, then turn around and shoot it. There are several bunkers on the screen, so chances are low the one at area B will shoot you before you can get to it (unless you’re pretty slow). So destroy that one next, then fly out to area C and shoot the bunkers at points D and E. Meanwhile the second interceptor will be appearing in the middle trench; you should probably ignore this and wait for it to go by. Also, you’re going to be waiting for the interceptor that flies in the top area to appear once more, which it will appear in the top left corner this time around (which I marked as to being Aa). Once it appears, shoot it, then beam up the fuel tanks in area F. If there is no interceptor in the trench (or if it just isn’t close), wait by the opening in the channel for the closest bunker in area G to fire, then fly down and shoot it, along with the other one. Continue flying to H to take out that bunker, although be wary since it will be the last one left onscreen and will be firing fairly often, so be ready to use your shields, then keep flying right to the second screen.
(Note: also keep in mind what the gravity is doing, as, for example, when you’re at the top of the screen and you fly outward towards area C, the gravity is drawing you back in towards that channel area below where the second interceptor appears. If you’re at the bottom area of the screen, then you’re being pulled UP towards that channel area. Also be careful not to fly anywhere past area C, or else you could fly to the third screen and possibly crash into one of the walls there.)
Second and third screens
Once you fly over to the second screen, just keep on going, as there will be an interceptor right on your tail, plus there is nothing to do here for now, so keep on flying until you make it to the third screen. Here it’s petty much a mirror image repeat of the first screen, where you should have time to destroy the bunkers at points A and area B before any of them shoot at you, although you might have to wait for the ones at points D and E to fire before you can fly out towards area C to shoot them. Once you fly towards area F with those fuel tanks, you’ll probably have to deal with the interceptor up there, so be ready to use your shields, then destroy it when you can. If you’re low on fuel, either beam up one or both of the tanks from that area or go on to shoot the bunker at point G; just be ready to use your shields since it will be the last bunker and it will be firing fairly often by then.
After that, if you have destroyed the interceptor that appears in the middle channel (marked with AAI), either guide your ship in there and let the gravity suck you in until you’re pulled back to the second screen or enter the channel, then fly right, taking you back to the first screen, then allow your ship to continue being pulled in via gravity to the second screen. If it has been several seconds since you shot the interceptor when you enter the channel and head left, chances are pretty good another one will appear and you’ll collide with it. So feel free to “cheat” by heading right back to the first screen so an interceptor won’t come out as you head to the second screen in either direction.
Second screen (again)
Let gravity pull you in towards point A (if you entered from the right side of the screen); start thrusting to the right at about point B, then turn around and shoot the two bunkers. You should have enough time to do this before they start firing; if not, use your shields for protection. Turn back around and start thrusting towards point B again to keep from crashing into the wall. Once the bunkers are destroyed, let the gravity pull you, briefly thrust away and then fly up to area C.
Here’s where things start getting screwy though: the gravity is pulling you DOWN at this point. So be careful of that as you thrust up enough to beam up the humans, turn your ship back around and start thrusting back up again to keep from crashing into the wall below, then beam up the fuel tanks.
Then destroying the bunkers at point D will pose a problem, as the gravity will be pulling you back INWARDS there. The long (but safest) way to deal with this is to fly back out the way you came (back to the third screen) until you make it back to the channel on the first screen, then let gravity pull you back to this second screen again, then start thrusting back left long enough to break the gravity pull, turn around and destroy the bunkers in the same manner as destroying the bunkers on the other side, then very carefully fly back left so you can be free of the channel, then fly upwards to leave the planet.
Another, but more dangerous way is to fly left from the C area and shoot one or both of the bunkers from there, then fly down a little, then left to leave. However, there isn’t much room to navigate -- nor time due to the gravity -- so you’ll probably lose one or more ships with no matter what action you take. And a third option is to fly down, then left with your shields on, getting far enough from the bunkers and gravity so you can turn around and shoot them.
Also, if you entered this screen from the left, then the directions will be reversed: you’ll deal with area D first, fly up to area C, then take out the bunkers at B and leave from there, heading towards point A.
6 o’clock planet
Fly down towards the A area; meanwhile, you should probably take out the interceptor that will appear to the left of you. Depending on the circumstances, you should be able to destroy at least one of the bunkers before they get a shot in at you, but if not, have your shields ready and go for one that has just fired, as it’s not going to shoot again. You could also hover near that area and wait for one or more of them to fire before descending downwards and start wiping them out.
Whatever you decide to do, it is mandatory to take the corridor in the B area at the bottom; the reason being that you are further away from the interceptors’ fire. If you take the tunnel in the closer E area in the middle, you could still get killed via interceptor fire there. So take the B tunnel, but don’t shoot at the bunker at point D until you’re in area C. The reason for this is that, if you were to fire at the bunker at the point labeled Ca, you could kill the human by accident, so don’t fire at the bunker until you reach area C (plus use your shields if needed, as the bunker will be firing fairly often by then). After it’s destroyed, pick up the humans and enter tunnel E to beam up the fuel tank, then fly left to the next screen, but be wary of any interceptor fire, or wait for them to be away before heading off. Also be careful not to thrust too much, as you will have a wall right in front of you once you make it to that screen.
The second screen is an exact mirror image of this one, as it is reversed (with the humans/lone bunker at the left side of the screen and the long horizontal tunnels at the right). So use the exact same strategies as outlined here, then fly off the planet, although you might want to cheat and fly back to the previous screen to cause the interceptors to stay away, then fly back left to further keep them at bay. And don’t fly into the sun on the solar system screen!
8 o’clock planet
First screen
This is a pretty difficult screen, with a lot of variations that could happen in regards to what should be your next target/task you should perform and the like. The interceptors will also have to be destroyed probably three times before you can even advance to the next screen.
First off, the interceptors will appear quickly, but you should have time to shoot either one or possibly both before they open fire at you. The bunkers will start shooting as well, although with them not being very accurate, there are several of them, and they will start shooting from the bottom first, you should be fairly safe (although be ready to use your shields at any given moment in regards to the interceptors and bunkers).
Then pick your targets as you see fit: again, remember that only one bunker at a time fires. If, say, the bunker at point A has fired by the time you’ve destroyed the interceptors and you’ve started descending towards the surface, you can shoot that one, followed by the ones at point B and C after they fire. If the bunker at point B has fired, then destroy it, then the one at C after it has fired a shot, etc. In other words, go for the one(s) that have already fired, then plan your next move accordingly.
What you do next depends on various circumstances: should you go after the remaining bunkers? Glance at your fuel level; is it low? If so, you should beam up a fuel tank next; if not, go for the one human, then a tank or more bunkers. You’ll have to be careful in applying just a little bit of thrust during those narrow horizontal corridors though, no matter what your decision, and be ready to use your shields with the interceptors reappearing. Usually by about any of the point Ds in the photo you’re safe from their shots, as they can go quite a distance. Also, be aware that interceptors, after being destroyed, still come out from the same area as in the photo, but sometimes they will appear right on top of each other (i. e. both can come out from the left or right side).
Whatever you choose to do, once you beam up everything that needs to be collected and have destroyed all bunkers, when you exit the screen, it is mandatory to exit RIGHT this time (which I’ll explain with the next screen).
Second screen
Right off the bat are interceptors appearing within a second, so turn left to shoot the one right next to you, then take care of the other one, as you should have enough time to do so before they fire at you if you’re quick enough. Be prepared to use your shields from their and/or the bunkers’ fire at area A, then destroy those bunkers when you get the chance. You can also drop down to the short vertical corridor below them (marked as area B in the photo) while using your shields, then thrust back upwards while facing either straight left or right and shoot them that way, then fall back down, thrust up again, turn and fire and destroy the other one, then drop back down and follow the path until you get to area C.
Once you make it there, drop down and fire straight right to destroy the closest bunker, then fly along area D to shoot the other one, as you shouldn’t have a problem with it. Once you get to point E, tap the thrust button, causing your ship to skip and shoot the bunkers at point F, which, again, you shouldn’t have a problem with them (especially since that vertical wall is a natural shield). And before heading right to the next screen, beam up the fuel tanks when you can.
(Note: the reason why it was mandatory to fly right [rather than left] on the first screen is that you would start off near area F, but once you end up at emerging from area A, it’s a terrible bottleneck with two bunkers AND interceptors firing at you, which I can guarantee you’ll lose ships there. This route is much easier on this screen, at least.)
Third screen
This one’s pretty simple: as you drop down from area A, shoot straight right to take out the bunkers. Pick up the fuel tank as you fly right, then beam up the humans. Again, drop down from point B and shoot straight right to destroy the bunkers there, then continue through the passageway to the next screen, although be careful as you do so, since there is a vertical wall that you could smash into almost immediately upon your arrival.
Fourth screen
Fly cautiously in the corridor below area A, not using much thrust/tapping that button as you turn, then thrust away to beam up the humans and fuel tank. Once you emerge from that corridor; fly/thrust a little along line B as you fire up and to the right to take out the bunkers in area C, which shouldn’t hit you with any of their shots. Repeat your cautious flying/tapping a little thrust at a time and turning just enough to pick up the human and fuel tanks in corridor D, then fly towards your exit at point E. However, that is another bad bottleneck with no room to maneuver, as there will be two interceptors flying around (note: they will be there, but I didn’t take a screenshot while they were on the screen, but their positions are labeled as AAI). The fire from both of them can reach point E, so be careful and be prepared to use shields as the lowest one flies towards the left, then fly out of that corridor when you’re safe, and be prepared to use shields if the other one fires at you, then fly right to the final screen.
Fifth screen
This is a mirror image duplicate of the first screen (i. e. the humans and fuel tanks will be at the left ends of the horizontal corridors, rather than the right), so those strategies apply here. Once you complete your tasks, fly off the planet.
10 o’clock planet
At point A, shoot either or both bunkers (make sure to destroy the other one later if you only shoot one) before dropping down towards area B. Note the directions of the interceptors: they should appear from the left side of the screen and start traveling right. Whatever direction they head for, choose the *opposite* direction: if they start heading right, fly left to the area marked point C. Shoot one or both bunkers; if you’re able to take them out without being destroyed yourself, the interceptors will be on their way towards you by then. You’ll then take the tunnel from which you just came from towards area C on the opposite side of the screen. If you’re running low on fuel, then drop down to point D to pick up the human and beam up the fuel tank, then fly back up and resume your course to the other area C. Destroy the bunkers over there then, and if you do it correctly, you won’t even have to bother with the interceptors at all (although you might have to use your shields if the one at the top fires down at you if you’re in area B at the time). Take the tunnel back from which you came from heading towards area B and use your shields if there are any interceptors left or are nearby as you fly off the planet, taking the vertical tunnel up towards point A.
Reactor planet
As soon as you enter this planet, turn your ship around, as you have to start heading downwards immediately, as your ship starts this screen always facing up.
After that, this strategy follows pretty close to the previous levels’ reactor planets, where you apply a counter-thrust, as at the first point A, you’re to start turning and thrusting right (along with steering slightly upward as well); at about the second point A, you need to turn and thrust upward and slightly to the left, etc. This strategy will still work once you start entering the areas labeled as B, although note that those passageways have become skinnier, so you will have to be careful to be sure to fit in those without crashing into walls, along with not taking up too much time where you’ll run out before the reactor explodes.
Once you make it to point C though, you should be able to just fire diagonally (down and to the right) and hit the reactor without having to move any closer to it; however, due to Vectrex displays differing, if you indeed find you cannot hit the reactor from this area (I can with mine), fly down a little and shoot at it, then turn around and start heading out of there, following pretty much the same strategy as before, but in reverse order: with each point D you reach, start turning and applying counter-thrust (turn and start thrusting downwards while steering slightly left at the first one, then turn and start thrusting right while steering slightly upwards at the second one, etc.), and then at every point E, those corridors become larger again, so you can then start speeding up easier and quicker.
However, BEWARE of area Y! Do NOT keep on thrusting left at that opening, as you will wrap around to point Z, probably fly into the wall and lose a ship! So when you reach the final corridor at Y, turn right and start thrusting upwards and out of the planet, then enjoy the congratulation words, extra points and a few notes from programmer John Dondzila.