============================================================================== T I T A N U S B A T T L E ZX Spectrum 128K - @ LAWLORD, 2026 ============================================================================== Two transforming robots clash: the heroic TITANUS and the merciless BLACK SCORPHEX. Win two rounds to take the match -- then, in one-player mode, climb the ladder to the warlord boss and his war machines. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LOADING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Requires a 128K machine (128K / +2 / +3) or a 128K emulator. 48K will NOT work. Tape (.tap): start the 128K BASIC, then LOAD "" (most emulators auto-run the tape). The loading screen appears, then the extra graphics banks load, and the title screen comes up. Snapshot (.sna): load it directly -- it boots straight to the title. Press FIRE at the title to enter the menu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MENU ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Press 1-4 (or move the cursor and press FIRE): 1 PLAYER - you vs the computer. Choose a difficulty, then fight a ladder of opponents ending with the WARLORD boss. 2 PLAYERS - two human players, both on the keyboard. 3 DEMO - attract mode: the computer fights itself. FIRE returns here. 4 CONTROLS - view and redefine every key for both players. One-player difficulty: 1 NOVICE 2 WARRIOR 3 MASTER (higher = faster, more aggressive computer opponent). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DEFAULT CONTROLS (all keys can be changed in CONTROLS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLAYER 1 PLAYER 2 UP / JUMP Q R DOWN / CROUCH A F LEFT O Z RIGHT P X PUNCH / FIRE SPACE ENTER KICK M L BLOCK N K TRANSFORM T Y SPECIAL 1 / 2 / 3 1 / 2 / 3 7 / 8 / 9 FIRE (the PUNCH key) also confirms menus. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FIGHTING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Move with LEFT/RIGHT, JUMP with UP, CROUCH with DOWN. You always face your opponent. You can jump over them, but you cannot walk through them. PUNCH / KICK - basic attacks. BLOCK - hold to guard. Stops standing and high attacks, and the overhead. Blocking still leaks a little "chip" damage. CROUCH - ducks under high attacks... but loses to the overhead. SWEEP - KICK + DOWN. A low attack that goes UNDER a block and knocks the opponent down. Slow and punishable -- not a spam button. OVERHEAD - PUNCH + UP. Beats a crouching opponent and ignores block. JUMP-KICK - KICK while in the air. A committed aerial attack. THE GOLDEN RULE (rock-paper-scissors): BLOCK beats highs/mids -> SWEEP beats block -> ... CROUCH beats high pokes -> OVERHEAD beats crouch. Mix your attacks; leaning on one move lets a smart opponent counter it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENERGON, SPECIALS & TRANSFORMING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The magenta bar under your HP is ENERGON. It refills slowly over time and powers your specials and your transformation. SPECIAL 1 / 2 - ranged shots (one is a returning boomerang). Cost Energon. SPECIAL 3 - a powerful special that can also destroy incoming shots. TRANSFORM - switch between ROBOT and VEHICLE form (costs Energon). The change leaves you briefly immobile and is uninterruptible, so pick your moment. Vehicle form has its own attacks and a different movement speed; press TRANSFORM again to revert. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE FIGHTERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TITANUS - 100 HP, blocks 25% of damage, regenerates Energon faster (its specials come back sooner). SCORPHEX - 110 HP, blocks 20% of damage. Tougher, but slower to recharge. Both have near-identical movement and attack speed -- the difference is in HP, guard and Energon. Pick the style that suits you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE WARLORD (one-player boss) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Beat the first opponent and the WARLORD enters: 160 HP and a war machine. He transforms into the ALFA tank with the OMEGA jet flying above it, and can launch an arm-drone that strikes from behind. - The ALFA tank fires a slow, heavy LOW shell -> JUMP over it. - The OMEGA jet fires a fast HIGH laser -> CROUCH under it. - You CAN hit the OMEGA jet -- damaging it hurts the warlord. - He only transforms from a distance, and a limited number of times per round, so close the gap and punish him while he is a robot. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WINNING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matches are BEST OF THREE: a knock-out wins a round, first to two rounds wins the match. In one-player mode, defeating the WARLORD shows YOU WIN; losing shows GAME OVER. Press FIRE to return to the menu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ @ LAWLORD, 2026 - good luck, pilot. ==============================================================================