This is the REGISTERED version of Inner Worlds and may NOT be copied; it is commercial copyrighted software, and may only be used by those who have paid the registration fee directly to Sleepless Software.
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Inner Worlds is an exciting game filled with action,
adventure and discovery.
In it, you play the role of Nikita ...
part beautiful woman, part ferocious wolf.
Nikita is one of a race of wolf people. Her name was taken from "Nikita the Challenger" whose exploits are spoken of in wolf-people legend. Nikita the Challenger (a male) was a fabulous warrior who first defeated The Claws. Once beaten, The Claws disappeared from the world and went to sleep for one hundred and one years. Now the Evil has returned.
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She has taken on the quest-name of Nikita for this adventure. Her true name is unknown.
The game begins as Nikita arrives at castle Drofanayrb where The Claws was last seen after preparing herself for her quest at the village.
Inner Worlds is a 32-bit protected mode VGA game for MS-DOS computers. It incorporates many advanced features never before seen in a game of this kind.
System Requirements
PC with 486 processor or better
VGA compatible display
8MB RAM minimum, 16MB recommended
MS-DOS 4.0 or better, or Windows 95
Hard drive with 10MB of free space (SHAREWARE), 20MB (REGISTERED)
Sound card (optional): Sound-blaster or compatible, or Gravis Ultrasound
CDROM drive recommended
Development
Inner Worlds has been developed in a very unique way. It was cross-developed under the Linux operating system even though the final game runs under MS-DOS. It is written almost entirely in C++, with a few bits of assembly and some other specially designed language elements created just for Inner Worlds and the MEG/CLAWS game engine which Inner Worlds is built upon.
We have made extensive use of programming, art and music talent found and utilized via the INTERNET. All of the music was acquired through a special Internet based "contest" in which composers from all around the world submitted music modules.
The MEG/CLAWS game engine was created by Bryan Ford just for Inner Worlds (though intended to be generic and reusable for future games) along with a custom DOS extender so that the game can run in 32-bit mode for maximum performance.
The list of contributors is LONG and includes people from 3 continents, and 7 countries.
The interface to your computer is via simple menus which can be manipulated with the joystick or keyboard.
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The main menu is sort of the interface between the "real"
world and the "game" world (where you are supposedly in
a state of role-playing suspended disbelief).
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The normal control input is through the keyboard. The joystick can optionally be used as an alternative to keyboard control.
If you turn on the joystick control from the options menu, you will be instructed to calibrate your joystick by wiggling the arrow pad around and pressing the various buttons on you joystick to verify that all is working correctly. It should not be necessary to recalibrate your joystick after this initial calibration.
LEFT-ARROW Run/crawl left RIGHT-ARROW Run/crawl right UP-ARROW Climb, enter doorways, flip up SPACE Attack, throw, swing, shoot SPACE + UP-ARROW MAUL!!! (when in wolf form) SHIFT Jump SHIFT + UP-ARROW Flip-jump DOWN-ARROW Duck, crawl, pick-up objects CONTROL Operate devices, switches ALT Transform from human to wolf form and vice versa i Inventory menu t Take stuff u Take & use stuff F1-F8 Use item in slot 1-8 1-5 Cast wand-spell 1-5 (if available) ESCAPE Display main menu F10 HELP! Display help informationShortcut keyboard functions
These keyboard functions duplicate the main keyboard functions but are designed to make the game easier.
a Inventory menu TAB Take stuff g Take & use stuff F9 Turtle mode on/off f Main menu d + F1-F8 Drop one item from inventory slot 1-8 Press 'd' followed by a function key.Joystick
If you are using a standard PC joystick, your stick will correspond to the arrow keys on the keyboard. Button #1 makes Nikita jump and button #2 makes Nikita attack or shoot. If you are using the Gravis Game-pad, the arrow pads will correspond to the keyboard arrows and the 4 colored buttons are arranged as follows:
Blue = Attack/Shoot (SPACE) Red = Jump (SHIFT) Yellow = Transform (ALT) Green = SPECIALIf you hold down the green "SPECIAL" button, and press one of the other 3 buttons, they will do this:
Blue = Main menu (ESCAPE) Red = Activate (CONTROL) Yellow = Inventory
To pick up an object, first move Nikita into a position where she is touching the object and then press the DOWN ARROW or the 't' key.
Simply taking an object and placing into your inventory does not mean that you have necessarily used the object. To use an object, you press one of the function keys F1 through F8 corresponding to the 8 inventory slots. You can also use an object by selecting the 'Use' sub-menu item from the 'Inventory' menu. You'll be prompted as to whether you would like to 'Use', 'Drop' or 'Toss' the object(s).
The result of using an object is dependent on what kind of object it is. Using a weapon causes Nikita to 'wield' that weapon so that pressing the SPACE key will make Nikky attack with that weapon. Using a potion is the same as drinking the potion. Using a scroll is the same as invoking/reading the scroll/spell. When you use a bomb, Nikita throws the bomb in the direction she's facing.
Using a scroll, prize or potion will cause the object to disappear from your inventory.
You can take and use an object in one operation by using the 'u' key instead of the 't' key.
If you don't want an object anymore, you can drop it from your inventory by selecting the 'Drop' or 'Toss' sub-menu items from the 'Inventory' menu.
When a level is completed, a map screen for the current episode appears which allows you to select the next level to play. Sometimes you have a choice between two or more levels, sometimes there is only one level which can be selected. Flashing colors indicate the levels which are available for selection. Blue levels are the levels which you've already completed.
If you'd like to replay a level which you've already completed, select it just as you would one of the flashing levels. You might want to do this in case you forgot to find the amulet on a level or if you simply want to try to get a 100% success rating.
If you accidentally select a level which you've already completed, use the 'Map Screen' sub-menu item in the 'Game Control' menu to go back to the level selection screen.
Pressing PAGE-UP and PAGE-DOWN will allow you to select levels from episodes other than the one your are currently playing.
In this episode, Nikita travels to the ruined Castle Drofanayrb to find and destroy the horrible Gralob. A hideous monster created by a misguided genius-wizard and left behind to guard the ruins.
As soon as Nikita arrives at the castle, she becomes trapped in the dungeons. Your goal is to escape the castle and defeat the hideous electric Gralob!
In episode II, Nikita discovers the truth of her ultimate lifelong destiny. She is told of her REAL enemy and how the Gralob was simply the first step in finding and defeating "The Claws" ... the most awful creation of the misguided wizard Drofanayrb.
The goal of this episode is to make your way to a scary volcano across a variety of outdoor terrain and landscapes. When you approach the volcano, you'll have to battle the Boonta and his biting snarkies to continue on to the lair of The Claws!
Episode III: Heart of the World
In episode III, Nikita's goal is to go into the volcano, make her way to the earths core and destroy The Evil Claws and all of his demonic minions in order to fulfill her wolf-born destiny.
Human Form
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When in human form, Nikita appears as an ordinary human female.
In this form, she can use weapons such as swords, rocks and wands.
Be careful though, if you don't have any weapons, you are
DEFENSELESS as a human.
She can climb ladders and vines.
She can also jump up and grab hand holds.
When she does this
she can hang from the hand hold or flip up above the hand hold
to a higher platform.
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In wolf form, Nikita can not wield weapons, but she can attack
by biting and mauling your enemies.
She won't be able to climb ladders and such either.
But she WILL have greatly increased strength, speed,
and resistance to injury.
She'll be able to jump slightly higher and run faster as a wolf.
Nikita can only transform when she has a transformation potion
or enough mana.
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There is a gauge in the status bar which displays Nikita's
health level.
The gauge is in the form of a large golden jug filled with
a bubbling blue fluid.
This is the Seltzer of Life, and its level drops when Nikita is
injured.
If its level drops to 0, Nikita becomes wolfmeat.
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Mana is a semi-magical force which semi-human creatures possess.
Nikita can collect and use mana.
Mana is similar to hit-points but is used for different things.
For example, mauling your enemies when in wolf form uses up mana.
Controlling the Blood Star uses mana.
Invoking wand-spells uses mana too.
Mana is acquired from sanctuaries and mana potions.
You don't die when your mana disappears completely, you only
lose the ability to do certain things.
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There are several different types of standard weapons ranging from an ordinary rocks, to swords, magic scrolls and even magic wands! You'll just have to try them out to see what they do.
Don't ever be afraid of using weapons, they are never harmful to Nikita.
To wield a weapon, select it from the inventory menu and pick 'Use', or take the weapon using the 'u' key instead of the 't' key.
When a weapon is used, a glowing rectangle will appear around its image in the status bar.
There is an item named 'Auto Weapon Wield' in the 'Options' menu which you set to ON or OFF. If it's set to ON, a weapon will automatically be used (wielded) when it is picked up.
Wand Spells
Wand-spells can be used at any time (assuming you have enough mana) in either wolf or human form.
Your wand spells appear in the 5 small boxes at the bottom right of the status bar. Nikita acquires new wand spells as she progresses through the game. When an icon appears in one of the 5 boxes, you have 'learned' that wand spell and can invoke the spell by pressing 1-5 on the keyboard.
If you don't have enough mana to invoke the given wand-spell, nothing will happen even though the icon is still there.
Don't be afraid to try potions and scrolls; none of them are harmful.
Red amulets increase strength, blue amulets protect Nikita against attacks from enemies, and green amulets help her use mana more efficiently.
There is exactly one amulet on every level. Throughout the game, the player may collect up to nine amulets of each type.
Amulets are extremely valuable treasures. Never pass one up!
There is an item named 'Auto Gem Pick-up' in the 'Options' menu which will make collecting gems much easier. If you turn it on, it causes Nikita to pick up a gem automatically whenever she touches one.
Gates can be made of wood, iron or stone. They are barriers which may or may not have key. If the gate has a keyhole, then you need to find the key in order to open it. If it doesn't have a keyhole, you have to open it some other way. Sometimes, there is a monster guarding the gate and killing that monster will cause it to open.
Sometimes, you'll find a gate which has a padlock on it. Padlocked gates always have a key which you must find in order to remove the lock.
Doorways
Doorways are very common. They usually appear as an opening on the back wall. You can use the UP arrow to enter a doorway.
Wormholes
Wormholes are glowing, pulsing space-warps which will transport Nikita to a different part of the world when touched.
Hand holds usually look like a white post mounted in the wall. Nikita can jump up, grab them and then hang from them. She can also flip up to a higher level or another hand hold or vine.
Ladders
Ladders are quite common. They allow you to climb to higher areas. Use the up arrow when touching a ladder to climb it. Keep in mind that some ladders look different from others.
Vines, Poles and Chains
These are useful in the same way as ladders. They are a little different in that they are harder to climb. But, on the plus side, they are much easier to descend.
Elevators
A mysterious cloud-like platform of blue sparkles which lifts Nikita up or moves her sideways (or both). Be careful, you can be crushed between an elevator and the ceiling.
Switches, Levers & Controllers
Switches activate things. They may open and close doors, or trip traps, or let loose a horde of angry monsters! Use the CONTROL key to operate a lever.
Platforms
Platforms are moving objects which can be ridden upon. They are a lot like elevators. They are a little more dangerous, however, because you can be crushed between a platform and any wall, floor or ceiling.
Boulders
Boulders come it two sizes, large and small. You can bust them up into smaller pieces if you have crystal hammer.
For more information, send email to "receptionist@sleepless.com" or visit the Sleepless Software Web Site at "http://www.xmission.com/~nosleep" .