Uridium

Hewson, 1986

Written by Chris Owen, HTML'd by Arnt Gulbrandsen.

Controls

Keyboard, Kempston, Cursor

Aim of the game

The solar system is under attack! Enemy Super-Dreadnoughts have been placed in orbit around each of the planets. They are draining mineral resources from the planetary cores for use in their power units. Each Super-Dreadnought seeks out a different metal for its metal convertor. Your Manta class Space Fighter will be transported to each planet in turn and it is your task to destroy each Dreadnought. First you must attack the defensive screen of enemy fighters, then you must neutralise the majority of surface defences before you land on the Super- Dreadnought's master runway. It is then possible to activate the Dreadnought's self-destruct mechanism.

Game play

Your Manta fighter is deployed on a low-level strafing run as you start your assault on the aliens' defences. You must avoid the meteor screens and communications aerials which tower above the Dreadnought's surface. The fighter defences deploy in waves. A bonus is awarded after landing if all ships in a wave are destroyed. Attack surface features to score bonus points but beware of the homing mines which materialise over flashing generator ports! When the LAND NOW message appears, move as soon as possible to the right hand end of the Super-Dreadnought and fly flat over the end of the master runway from left to right. Up/Down sets the position above the Super-Dreadnought, Left/Right controls acceleration and deceleration. If your velocity falls too low your fighter performs a half-loop followed by a half-roll so as to face in the opposite direction. This manoeuvre also temporarily increases your height above the surface and may be used to avoid incoming missiles and mines. Your Manta performs a 90 degree roll if you press and hold fire whilst moving up or down. This will enable you to manoeuvre through restricted spaces.

Comments

"A very worthy version of a fast-moving ahoot-em-up."

Rating

90% (CRASH #35, December 1986)

Now

An enjoyable shoot-em-up which was a classic on the Commodore 64. The sequel, imaginatively entitled Uridium 2, was released in October 1993 on the Amiga and PC.

Keys

Left    - Z                     }
Right   - X                     } Joystick
Up      - L                     } controls
Down    - SYM/SHIFT             }
Fire    - ENTER                 - Joystick fire
Pause   - P     (fire to restart)
Quit    - Q

Nettverksgruppa, 5/10-94, sinclair@nvg.ntnu.no