Hard Drivin Copyright/Publisher: Domark, Release Year: 1989 Genre: Racing, Number Of Players: 1 INSTRODUCTION The Ultimate Drivin' Simulation. Experience the thrills and spills of racing in realistic, solid 3D. The Game It's MEAN. It's HARD. It's HERE! HARD DRIVIN', the ultimate driving simulator, races on to your home computer from its runnaway success in the arcades. Now you can get behind the wheel of the world's top sports car on a stunt course. Jump bridges, drive the speed track or even get dizzy on the vertical loop - all in super realistic solid 3D. Top drivers can challenge the Phantom Photon in a head-to-head, no holds barred contest to find the top Hard Driver! Getting Started Hard Drivin' consists of two tracks - The Stunt Track and The Speed Track each testing a different aspect of your driving skills. The Stunt Track features three main stunts - the Bridge Jump, the Loop-the-Loop and the Bank. Pay particular attention to the speed signs and your own velocity. Driving at more than 60 miles per hour over the bridge will launch you into the air to crash on landing, and under 60 mph means you won't jump far enough. The 60 Minimum sign on the Vertical Loop means you will have to drive at 60 mph or more just to stay on the loop as you spin through it! As you practise you should be able to take the Bridge, Bank and Loop at more than the recommended speeds. Make it to the checkpoints on the course and you will recieve a time bonus. If you do a fast enough lap you can race the Phantom Photon (the computer's car) in a race around the Stunt Track. The Phantom drives a mean race and crashing means instant disqualification. Game Tips Practice skid control - this can save valuable seconds, as can good road position on the bends. Advanced drivers can usually take the Bank at 110 miles per hour by going in on the right and steering heavily to the left on exit - but watch that you don't go over the edge! Controls: Joystick: Forward - Accelerate Back - Brake Left - Steer Left Right - Steer Right Fire & Forwards - Shift Gear Up Fire & Back - Shift Gear Down Keys: Q - Accelerate A - Brake O - Left P - Right W - Shift Gear Up S - Shift Gear Down Hints To be a real Hard Driver you must learn to make full use of the whole track. Brake for corners and obstacles at the last moment. In addition be constantly aware of oncoming traffic, and be prepared to drive on the grass if it looks like danger ahead. Don't be afraid to cut corners to improve your lap time and to beat the Phantom Photon! When you play the game for the first time select automatic transmission. This will allow you to get the all important feel of the game without having to worry about changing gears. The car will accelerate faster if your wheels are straight. Use the guage in the centre of the dashboard to check the position of your wheels. If the line is in the centre, then the wheels are straight. Remember this when going around corners since every time you turn the wheel the friction slows you down a little.