The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

IMOGEN

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Type          : Arcade Adventure Of Intriguing Premise; Monochrome

Author             : Michael St Aubyn

Standalone Release(s)  : None

Compilation Release(s) : 1988: PLAY IT AGAIN SAM 5, Superior/Acornsoft, £9.95

Stated compatibility    : Electron

Actual compatibility    : Electron, BBC B, B+ and Master 128

Supplier            : SUPERIOR/ACORNSOFT

Disc compatibility     : CDFS E00, DFS E00

Instructions

Introduction

IMOGEN is an animated adventure game in sixteen sections; each loaded into memory as required.

Each section contains a number of puzzles based on a particular theme. It is not possible to be killed off although the number of times you can change character has been limited. The number of permitted changes is given at the top-right of the screen.

Background Story

When the townspeople of Egmain were besieged by a monstrous firebreathing dragon they called for the assistance of Imogen, a local wizard with powers of metamorphosis. Responding to their pleas, he transformed himself into a dragon even more powerful than the real one. The monster was quickly destroyed but the strain of the transformation was so great that when Imogen returned to his normal state, his mind snapped. He forgot his friendship to the townspeople and used his power to destroy their crops, burn their houses and fill the sky with black clouds so that the town was in permanent night. After a few weeks of this, a spokesman set forth to seek the advice of the greatest and wisest wizard in the land.

When the Great Wizard had heard the story he said, "This insanity will pass, but until that time he must be imprisoned. I shall design a cave to hold him and your craftsmen will construct it in the mountain that overlooks the town." "How will we know when to release him?" asked the spokesman. "He will free himself when the time is right. I shall provide the spell for his release and split it in twain four times. The sixteen pieces will then be placed within the cavern and the route to each guarded by a test of stamina and intelligence. Only when he is fully recovered will he be able to retrieve the entire spell and set himself free".

And so the cavern was constructed, and with the Great Wizard's help, Imogen was secured within the first section, ready to begin his quest for freedom.

Objective

The objective is to assemble all sixteen spell fragments by solving the puzzles in each section of the game. The completed spell can then be activated to escape the cavern. As a wizard, you can hold and use objects discovered in the caves, and also transform yourself into different creatures - a monkey to climb ropes and trees, and a cat to leap rocks and wide chasms. It is possible to swap between these characters

at any stage in the game.

To enter a new section of the adventure, use the spell fragment in the previous section, which will transport you directly to your destination.

Wizard

Walk left and right using the motion keys. Press the action key at the same time to jump. (The action key on its own will have no effect unless you are holding an object.)

Monkey

Same as the wizard except you can jump on the spot by just pressing the action key. Also the monkey can use the ropes - press the action key alone to climb up, release to slide down. To hold your position press the action key and either or both of the motion keys, and to jump off press only the motion key for the direction you are facing. (You cannot turn around on a rope nor can you jump off backwards.)

Cat

Same as the wizard except the height and range of the leap are greater. The distance covered by the cat while jumping is increased by holding down the motion key during flight. For a short leap release the motion key soon after take-off.

You can walk almost halfway over the edge of a platform before starting to slip. This is useful to know when attempting to cross wide gaps as you can delay the leap until the last moment.

When jumping onto a ledge keep the motion key depressed so that you start walking as soon as you touch ground - this minimises your chances of slipping backwards. If you fail to reach a platform when jumping from a rope, try again from a higher point.

All aspects of the game other than the motion of the main character are controlled via icons at the top of the screen. To use a particular icon move the pointer over the top and press the SPACE.

Musical Note   Exclamation Mark 

Sound On/Off   Game Information    Cat    Monkey    Wizard   Held Object

Control Icons

Sound On/Off   - Toggles the sound effects. A dot is present in the top left corner of the icon if the sound is on.

Information - Gives information about your current situation, including the section password (on the BBC Micro version). A second press of the SPACE bar will reveal a list of all sixteen sections indicating those that have already been completed.

Character Icons

The next three icons are used to control the wizard's power of metamorphosis. To change into a cat for example, move the pointer to the cat icon and press SPACE.

Object Icons

During the game you will come across various objects that can be held and used. To pick one up simply touch it - it will vanish and its icon will appear at the top of the screen. It can then be held by changing into the wizard, moving the pointer over the object icon and pressing SPACE. The object will appear in the wizard's hand and can be used by pressing the action key, provided that the wizard is not moving at the time. What happens next depends on the nature of the object. It may fly into the air, make a noise, burst into flames or do something quite different or nothing at all. You can walk and jump as normal while holding an object, but if you need to remove it from the wizard's hand, you can do so by selecting the wizard icon. The spell fragments are objects like any other, except that when you use one you will be transported to the next section of the game.

If you have collected all sixteen fragments, you can activate the entire spell by using any one of them.

Game Controls

Controlling The Characters

Z - Left,   X - Right,   <SHIFT> - Action

Using The Icons

> - Move Pointer Left,   ? - Move Pointer Right,   <SPACE> - Select

Instructions' Source   : PLAY IT AGAIM SAM 5 (Superior/Acornsoft) Inner Inlay

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