Edge Grinder by Cosine [web] & Retro Gamer CD [web]
EDGE GRINDER BACKGROUND Some games require a back story, whereas other games don't. Edge Grinder falls into the second category. There's no need for an elaborate and clichéd plot detailing how you are mankind's last hope against yet another race of hyper-violent alien invaders hell-bent on destroying planet Earth; Edge Grinder is a game about scoring points, blowing shit up and grinding walls. And that is all there is to it. The game originated from a collaborative cross-platform 8-bit development competition started on the Format War forum, the concept being the creation of a simple shmup that could easily be converted to a number of different machines. The name itself is a direct response to the whole Edge (TM) debacle starring everyone's favourite internet and trademark troll, Tim Langdell (however, as that issue has been mostly laid to rest thanks to Future Publishing's lawyers, there's no real need to go into that any further - google is your friend here). During the early stages of development it became apparent that a 16KB cartridge version of the game would be possible. This discovery coincided with the launch of RGCD's cartridge game development competition, and it was decided that rather than being an entry, Edge Grinder would instead act as a benchmark, showing what was possible within the limitations of a 16KB rom. And Edge Grinder uses near enough every last byte of that space! The end result of several months work is a Caravan-style, frenetic and challenging score-attack shmup. Edge Grinder only features one level, the goal being to survive the duration whilst simultaneously amassing as many points as possible by blasting enemies and flying dangerously close to the scenery. Compete against your friends, blog your high score online and brag about how you can beat Edge Grinder on one life! As with all set-length games there is a maximum possible score, but who will hold the record? Good luck! LOADING THE GAME To load the Edge Grinder cartridge, turn off your C64/128, insert the cartridge and turn the computer back on. Edge Grinder will load automatically. Edge Grinder has been tested on both PAL and NTSC machines, and works on the C64, C128 and C64GS (there is no keyboard input required to play). PLAYING EDGE GRINDER After starting the game (by pressing fire on a joystick/pad plugged in port 2), you move your ship around the claustrophobic tunnel via directional control and shoot via the fire button. The Edge Grinder ship has a very small critical hitpoint (only the middle of the craft is vulnerable), and you are encouraged to rack up points by grazing your wings against the scenery as much as possible (the ship will glow when you grind successfully). The alien craft attack in waves and have varying strength values. You'll need to learn these attack formations in order to succeed. There is no autofire, and using an autofire switch is considered to be cheating. Play the game as it was intended; grab your trusty Competition Pro, Zip Stik or joypad and mash those buttons! Points are awarded for the following: 40Pts for chipping an enemy's health; 300Pts per second spent grinding; 400Pts for killing an enemy; 5000Pts for each life left after beating the game. In your mission to achieve the optimum score you may find that some enemies are best avoided whilst you concentrate on wall-grinding instead. Experimentation is key to success! RUN/STOP pauses the game, and pressing Q whilst paused will quit back to the title screen. CREDITS Edge Grinder is a Cosine production, Copyright 2011. Published by RGCD on 16KB C64 cartridge by RGCD, 2011. T.M.R - Code/Design Smila - Graphics/Box Art Odie - Music Heavy Stylus - Testing/Docs Tim Harris - Hardware Supply WizardNJ - NTSC Testing LINKS www.cosine.org.uk www.rgcd.co.uk
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