If You Can't Take the Heat, Don't Play This Game by justice_faerie |  |
TYRANNIA - The games available to us lucky Neopians have many exciting and
varied locales. They take us everywhere from the clouds of Faerieland (Faerieland
Cloud Racers) to a nicely furnished NeoHome (Usuki Frenzy). Not to disappoint,
the Neopets staff has again taken us to an interesting locale as we enter a
cavern of a Tyrannian volcano in the new game, Volcano
Run. In the game, we play a poor little Tyrannian Scorchio named Glubgar
as we navigate him through a boiling hot tunnel inside a volcano. Here, it is
so hot that even touching the walls will surely burn our unfortunate Scorchio
to a crisp.
Do not completely give up hope at this daunting task though, for my friend,
you are not without help. Small bubbles of water vapour have miraculously made
they way into this tunnel, and if you able to manoeuvre Glubgar into one of
them, it will form a shield around him. However, this shield is not very strong,
as it will burst the next time you hit something. Be careful!
What follows is an in depth review of the hindrances and helps in Volcano
Run. But be sure to keep in mind the key rule of the entire game, timing. If
you are able to perfectly time your bobs and weaves in the air, you will be
just fine.
CAVERN WALLS: These are always your first obstacle and will remain
throughout the game. According to the Fire Faerie, Fuhnah, these Walls are heated
by the pressure created from the density of the lower levels of Neopia. I'm
not sure if she was telling the truth or not, but whatever the source, these
walls are super-hot. One slight touch will turn Glubgar into ashes. Beware!
FLOATING ROCKS: These rocks are chunks of Cavern Wall that have torn
off for various reasons and are now bobbing up and down. Their mobility makes
them even more deadly than the Walls, so be careful. However, you should be
able to judge if there is more room above or below them before you reach them,
so they aren't too much trouble. At the very beginning of your journey, you
might see three Hope Diamonds directly before a Floating Rock. Be careful, for
the moment you collect the second Diamond, the Rock will begin to move.
STRAY FLAMES: Sizzling pieces of ash travel around the pits of volcano
and are just as hot as everything else. However, unlike the Floating Rocks,
they travel in a strictly horizontal fashion. Dodging them when they are alone
is fairly easy, but they usually travel in packs. And later in the game, a large
grouping is almost always guarding Hope Diamonds. Again, timing is your best
weapon against these fiery fiends.
HOPE DIAMONDS: Your journey may seem to be quite an impossible task,
but never fear, Hope Diamonds are here! Hope Diamonds always appear three at
a time and are usually guarded by Stray Flames and/or Floating Rocks. The gems
do nothing more than add some more points to your score, but something helpful
is a sight for sore eyes in this volcanic pit of despair.
BUBBLE SHIELDS: Nobody knows how these bubbles of water vapour made
their way down into this Hellish nightmare of a tunnel, but just be glad they
are (though there are some reports that Nereid the Water Faerie has something
to do with them)! If you touch one, you will be immediately encased in its protective
interior. Each shield lasts through only one encounter with heat, so don't ease
up on the timing just yet. These are your only source of defence against the
flames around you, so use them well!
SMOG CLOUD: These clouds of smog are quite the mysterious beasts. They
are neutral creatures in Glubgar's journey, for they do not directly hurt or
help. Instead, if you fly through these clouds, the Scorchio will breathe it
in, filling him with gas. This gas inside of his body makes him not only go
slower, but also glide easier. Sometimes when you get these, they simply let
you ease up as they let you glide for a small portion of your journey. However,
sometimes they send you directly into the path of a Floating Rock! It basically
takes wise judgement to decide when to get these. If you think it will time
you to miss the Rocks and Flames, then by all means, inhale!! However, if you
think you'll hit an obstacle by going slower, dodge it.
These are all the tips I can give, but I hope I've helped. If you would like
to know what a good score is, I recommend exchanging scores over 1500 for points.
However, this varies with the skill of the player. I must leave you now and
return to my Courthouse, but take what I've said to heart. For how else are
you going to help that poor Tyrannian Scorchio from being cooked well done? |
