RULES:
The game uses an indicator to indicate when an enemy is about to hit
you, much like Virtua Cop. However, here it is a circle with a line
sweeping clockwise (which is exactly what the idea is: a stopwatch)
until it reaches the top again after a full 360° rotation. When
that happens, the enemy will fire. However, you can still eliminate
a foe even though the game SAYS he fired without being hurt if fast
enough. Not all indicators move at the same speed.
As you shoot the enemy, earn bonus Rage, or get hit, you fill up the
Rage meter. When you have Rage, you can activate it by pressing the
button on the stock of the weapon (the action button for GHOST Squad
fans.) When activated, it normally grants you unlimited ammo (no reloading
needed) and increases the damage inflicted by each bullet, allowing
you to quickly disable durable enemies. However, if the Rage bar is
completely full, you will also get invulnerability. Once activated,
the Rage bar will decrease steadily until it empties or if a cutscene
happens. Rage will be in effect until the bar empties or stops draining.
This game uses a life system like just about every other shooter. You
can have a maximum of 6 lives at once. If you are injured (while not
in Rage mode), you will generally lose 1 life. However, sometimes you
will lose 2 lives. This seems to be a deliberate difficulty adjustment;
you will often lose 2 lives if you are maxed and otherwise doing great.
To reload, point your weapon off the screen.
Throughout the game are various mini-missions. Success at these events
yields Medals. Failure results in no reward, and usually some other
punishment such as a lost life.
Powerups are hidden within specially-marked containers. Objects that
hide powerups are outlined by a flashing bluish border. Objects require
numerous shots to destroy.
You earn a grade at the end of each level based on your accuracy, the
number of scoring bonuses received, and the number of Medals earned
(how many time you were hit may also factor in but I don't know.) Your
accuracy and bonuses are converted into Medals, which determines what
grade you receive: Awful; Not Bad; Impressive; Amazing; and Perfect.
Earning an Amazing score grants you a Bonus Life. Earning a Perfect
earns 2 Bonus Lives. The requirements for each grade varies by level
and the number of players.
There are 3 bonuses available for killing enemies: Fast; Crack; and
Heroic. I don't know what the criteria is for them, though I can guess
for Fast. I believe they have to do with how quickly you can kill enemies,
with Fast being the slowest award possible, Crack being next, and Heroic
the fastest. But don't quote me on that because I'm just guessing. However,
I've seen all 3 awards being granted at once.
POWERUPS:
Rage: This will automatically give you a full Rage meter.
Bonus Life: This will give you an extra life, provided you are not at
the max.
2 Bonus Lives: This will give you 2 extra lives, or only 1 or none depending
on if you're already maxed.
Medal: This will give you at least one Medal. I'm not sure how many
these might be worth. Yes, these are the same Medals that determine
your end of level grade.
BAD GUYS:
Generic: In most games, these guys are mostly harmless. Well, that's
true here too, but their real trait here is to almost always come at
you en masse. I'm not kidding, these guys like to clutter up the screen
and unnerve you. Some of them are quick to line up a deadly shot so
be aware and remember them. Otherwise, make sure you're not letting
any immediate threats slip past while dealing with these guys.
Grenadier: You know what these guys do, right? Throw grenades? Right!
They are typically quick to fill up their meters, but the grenades take
a while to reach you. If one manages to throw a grenade, shoot it down.
The resulting explosion can kill nearby enemies for you. Grenadiers
often pop up from behind some kind of cover to throw and then hide again.
If one manages to hit you, he will run away. Or maybe it's based on
a number; I watched one guy throw at least 6 before I got bored.
Rocket Launcher: These guys lug around... ROCKET LAUNCHERS and fire...
ROCKETS at you. They usually are quick to line up a shot, but their
projectiles take a while to reach you. Missiles travel faster than grenades,
but still can be shot down. The resulting explosion can be used to take
out some enemies. RPG-packing enemies are tough enough to survive some
punishment before falling. Not very common.
Tough Guy: Noticeably larger than your average foe, these guys can take
numerous bullets and live to tell about it. They're also generally faster
to aim than generic troops, though not as fast as the rest. Sometimes
know to fire guns in the air before attacking. Nobody said they were
smart.
Sharpshooter: No matter what unit they're from, they all wear red. These
guys are more like Time Crisis's red guys than GHOST Squad's. They are
quick to draw a bead on you, so always nail them ASAP.
Melee Trooper: These jerks try to jump you at close range with machetes
or a rifle butt. They don't jump out at you, they always are found waiting
to strike when the screen moves. They strike fast. If they do strike,
they run off.
MY TIPS:
Managing your rage is an important issue. Once you activate it, you
can't cancel it so be sure you really want it. It will stop if a cutscene
happens so after playing once or twice you can sorta get some 'cheap'
rage by activating right before one. If you have a full meter, only
use it if you think you're going to get shot. Otherwise, if you have
less and you think you'll be shot, you will want to activate it sooner.
For example, if you need to destroy a turret before it fires, make sure
you don't activate it when you have no time left to destroy it. If the
turret still manages to hit you, you have just wasted your rage. After
playing the game, you'll learn what parts are more difficult, and saving
your rage for them will allow you to pass unscathed.
Moreso than any other game, this one throws tons of enemies at you.
This makes fodder more dangerous than before. However, make sure you
know who is your biggest threat before you choose your first target.
Those mini-missions that say "you have only one shot" can
be quite difficult. The targets are often very small, so make use of
the sites on the gun and try to remain steady.
You have a very large clip compared to other games, but the sheer number
of enemies negates this advantage. Reload whenever you get a chance.
You may need to kill upwards of 20 motherfuckers before getting a break
in the action.
ABOUT THIS GUIDE:
The purpose of this guide is meant to clue you in on the appearances
of extra lives, rage, and medals. Certainly the enemies are much too
common to be worth mentioning in detail.
CHEATS/UNLOCKABLES:
Cheap Rage: Not really a cheat, but useful, and there's a good chance
you just simply looked down here you dirty cheat. If you engage your
rage, and enter a cutscene before the meter empties, it will stop draining.
This means you can get a brief spurt of rage without using all of it
at once.