3D Sapper 1.1


 - Introduction 
 - The Goals 
 - Game Strategy 
 - Missions 
 - Controls 
 - Registration 


Introduction

The Winmine appeared in the first versions of Windows. Since that time it's considered to be a classical game. It combines easiness, fascination and many other features. 

As every classical game, Winmine now has a lot of sequels and versions, and some of them are extremely refinely designed. Nevertheless, the authors of 3D Sapper, devoted fans of Winmine, haven't found up to now any clone which could be more interesting than the old merry Winmine emerging from the Start menu.

So, 3D Sapper appeared as our tribute to this venerable tradition. 

In fact, 3D Sapper is an action-puzzle. The first-person action takes place on a board covered with chips. Imagine that you happened to penetrate into the inside of your own computer, either in your sleep or having been bewitched. You have a shovel in your hands, although it doesn't really look like a miner shovel. You make a couple of uncertain steps... Chips are sparkling, the immense sky is roaring and glistening. Music is thundering, encouraging you to start... Wake up! 

The Goals

The game has three missions: Classic, Time Trouble and Digger. In the first and second ones you have to destroy all the chips that are mine-free, and in Digger your aim is to cross the mine field diagonally, from the corner you find yourself in the beginning to the opposite one. (See Missions). 

Game Strategy 

On the field, you can move in all directions (See the the Controls section). There may be a mine under any chip, that's why you may explode any time you make a step. Use your shovel to destroy the chip (i.e. to open the cell). Be careful, an attempt to open a mined cell may be paid with your life. You'd have to restart the game. The chip you point at with your shovel sparkles, so you won't make a mistake. In the beginning of the game the player stands on an unmined chip, which must be destroyed first. Under the chip there may be some wires. The number of them equals to the number of mines situated around the cell. The cell which you suppose is mined can be marked with a flag (see the the Controls section). It's not obligatory, but it's very convenient: the marked cell is blocked, you can't step on it or destroy it with you shovel. So you'll be spared an accidental explosion. Besides, in most missions the number of hidden mines equals to the number of flags that are given to you. This number can be seen in the right bottom corner of the screen. So you shall know how many mines are left while putting flags on mined chips. 

As 3D Sapper is an action game, you may jump over the chips, which helps you not to waste your time, and sometimes is a matter of pure necessity (when there's no way between the mines). The length of the jump is determined by your running approach. You should remember that you're not allowed to jump over a marked cell. You should remove the flag before making a jump. 

There may be lots of complicated situations during the game, and one has to analyse a considerable part of the field in order to guess where the mines are. It's not that easy when you are on the field, but you don't have to run about if you find yourself in such a situation. You may just press the Fly button. You will fly up until you get a bird's eye view of the field, and then it's up to you to analyse the situation rationally. 

There may also be situations when it's impossible to say where exactly the mine is, but that it must definitely be under one of the two or three cells. You have to take your chance then, and it's always a pity to strike the wrong one, especially if you have already found and marked, say, 59 mines. But in 3D Sapper you have the opportunity to use Save/Load Game (F2/F3) in any moment of any mission. Nevertheless, you shouldn't misuse this opportunity. Remember that this game aims at quickness of wit, not of fingers. 

Missions

Classic Mission. It's a standard Windows Winmine, which has three levels of difficulty: beginner, amateur, expert. The goal is to open all free squares as soon as possible. The quickest players' names go to the List of Records. 

Time Trouble. Everybody is fond of classics, but some people have more wishes as well. There's a countdown in this mission. When the time is over, the player falls into the fourth dimension, and the game is to be restarted. Throughout the field, there are clock-like extra time periods which prolong the player's life. 

The game consists of a number of levels with difficulty increasing (the exact number of levels isn't announced beforehand). The aim is similar to that of the Classic Mission: to discover all mine-free cells. If the extra time period is situated on a mined cell, jump (using the spacebar) in order not to explode while taking it. 

Digger (available only in Registered version). You should cross the field from the angle you are in to the opposite one (diagonally). With each level, it will be more and more difficult. The number of mines in this mission is unknown. You don't have to discover all the free cells. Hint: it's highly improbable that you'll be able to cross the field without thinking, just jumping over cells. 

Controls 

Shovel strike: 
- left mouse button 
Move:
- A S D W or arrows
Look around:
- mouse move
Set/Remove flag:
- E or right mouse button
Jump:
- spacebar
Fly:
- R or middle mouse button
Game Information:
- F1
Menu:
- Escape
Save/Load Game:
- F2/F3

Registration

How does the registered version differ: 


All the missions are available (only two missions are available in the unregistered version). 
The time of usage is unlimited. 
No "Unregistered version" window. 
No "Unregistered version" text in game. 
Free version upgrade. 
Technical support and assistance via e-mail. 

You can register at:

http://www.nevosoft.com/purchase.html

