Volcano Run II - In-Depth Guide

The world of Tyrannia boasts many fantastic things – like the new Volcano Run II!

So, you’re desperate to help Glubgar to find his way out of the pickle he’s gotten himself into this time in the return of Volcano Run, are you? If you’re very concerned for Glubgar’s well-being (and perhaps, you’re interested in a shiny new avatar, and maybe a shiny new trophy for your lookup!), then this is definitely the guide for you.

In this guide I will do my best to tell you the basics of the game, and hopefully some tips that will help you (like me!) get this fabulous avatar in a reasonably short amount of time.

As you’re by now well aware, I’m sure, on September 1st, 2005, the Volcano Run avatar was released. To get this avatar in the old game (no longer available by this method, sorry folks!), you needed to get 3500+ points. On December 10th, 2006, the first Volcano Run was retired to the Game Graveyard to make room for the improved version: Volcano Run II.

Don’t be disheartened by the suggested difficulty level of this game. I’m happy to tell you that in Volcano Run II; the score required for the avatar has been substantially lessened, and while I won’t be giving away the exact score, I’m sure it won’t be too long until you find out for yourself! I have to say, I found the old Volcano Run nearly impossible – if this was also your view on the first version also, then I’m sure you’re going to love the new version. After reading this guide, I’m positive that with a bit of practice, you’ll find it relatively easy to get this avatar.

Mode (screen size):

As I’m sure you’re aware if you’ve been trying for the avatar in the first version of Volcano Run, it’s always best and easiest if you play in the largest mode / size. This hasn’t changed in Volcano Run II - it is much easier to navigate where Glubgar is flying, and how far you are from objects within the game.

Lives:

Glubgar now has three chances (lives) instead of just the one. Additionally, if you can figure out how (and you were hoping I’d tell you, I know!) you can obtain an extra life, if you know the code. This has to be typed while you are flying and with nothing else entered via the keyboard in between. Flying (using the mouse) is fine, however. I think it might be okay to reveal the code is written somewhere within this paragraph.

Scoring:

100 NP per 100 points scored in the game. Your final score is calculated by the best distance you have traveled, plus the bonus you have collected in gems.

Gems:

The gems are the yellow and red objects that you will encounter in a set of three. Yellow gems are worth 10 points, and red gems are worth 20 points. To get a gem, all you need to do is fly into it. Gathering gems is extremely important, as it adds substantially to your score.

Shields:

If you pick up a force shield, it creates a protective shield around you. If you crash into anything (e.g. rocks, fire balls, geysers, or walls) then the shield disappears, but you don’t lose a life. Beware of crashing into objects even when you have a shield – it now only lasts for approximately five seconds. Also be aware that codes from the first version do not work in this version of the game.

Rocks and Fireballs:

The black and yellow rocks (these can be stationary or moving up and down) are found in the wider sections of the tunnel.

The fireballs also appear in the wide sections, and if you run into either of these objects, you will lose a life.

The more gems you collect, the more fireballs you will encounter at one time. Initially you will encounter one fireball at a time, then as you collect more gems, two, three, and so on.

Geysers:

As you get further into the game, you will encounter geysers, which are shots of lava that shoot from the bottom of the tunnel almost to the top. These begin in medium sections of the tunnel, and then in small sections of the tunnel at later stages of the game (later in the game they become quite tricky to avoid!). I will explain some more about objects to avoid in the ‘Speed Keys’ section later.

Flying:

You control Glubgar’s flight using your mouse. To send Glubgar upwards, click the mouse button. To send him downwards, let go – it’s that simple. Clicking and holding the mouse button down will send Glubgar soaring seamlessly upwards, where as clicking continuously will allow you to move around (up and down) depending on how fast you click. Clicking is a good way to hold yourself horizontally stable, if done correctly.

Speed Keys:

The “C” and “V” keys are probably the single most important thing to master when playing. Pressing and holding “C” will slow Glubgar down, and pressing and holding “V” will speed Glubgar up. This is particularly important when attempting to dodge objects. For example, if you make use of your speed keys then you can time it so that when you encounter multiple objects on the same screen, you can deal with them individually - rather than trying to find a way to avoid them all at the same time and in the same space. Multiple objects will quite frequently occur very close together in tight spaces.

There are a lot of situations in the game where you will need to use these keys – become familiar with them early on in the game; otherwise you’ll find the later stages extremely difficult.

Volcano Structure:

The Volcano itself is made up of small, medium and wide sections or tunnels, all connecting to each other. You start the game in the middle of a wide section.

Technique:

My personal technique when playing is to make my first life my “distance” life. That is, just try and get as far as I possibly can. I aim for around 1000 in distance in this first life.

In your second, third (and fourth, if you’re a clever cookie) lives, collect as many gems as possible. Don’t bother too much about distance, since only your best distance counts. Just collect the gems!

Use the speed keys to avoid moving objects; you’d be surprised at how much this really helps. Try without, and then with. Once you’ve mastered the speed keys, you’ll wonder how you ever did without them.

Use shields if you like, but be aware that they don’t last long and do your best to continue to play as though you don’t have a shield.

If there is more than one object in your path, use the speed keys to slow yourself down or speed yourself up to try and encounter only one of those objects at a time.

Conclusion:

Practice, practice, practice. If you want the avatar and trophies – this is the only way to get there. At the time of writing this guide, I have only been playing Volcano Run II on and off for a few days. When I first started, I found it difficult to get to a score of 400. Now, I can average around 1200+ most times I play.

This is where the guide ends, take it from here and go get playing! Best of luck, I hope you found this guide helpful, and in no time at all you’ll be adding Volcano Run II to your list of favorite games! If you have any questions, please feel free to neomail me.

Changes to the game in point form:

• Gems are worth different amounts, depending on their color / shape.

• Shields only last about five seconds, not until you hit something.

• The score required for the avatar is no longer 3,500+ (it's quite a lot less!).

• You have three lives, not one (four including the code!).