In Space Lifter, you operate a transportation space station. Much like your UPS colleagues down on Earth, you have to pick the cargo from where it was left and deliver it as quickly as possible to its destination. In whole.
Various obstacles of natural and artificial sources are in your way and prevent this job from being completely automated.
The G-force of a nearby planet is pulling the ship down whenever in open space and you must periodically use the engine power to maintain latitude. Left and right ship bumpers help you navigate your way through space.
Other space stations and occasional rockets better be avoided, although they could also be neutralized by using an energy-hungry power shield.
The initial game release features 50 different playing levels of increasing difficulty, plus some bonus levels. More levels can be created with the SpaceLifter Level Editor, which is also included in the trial packages for the game.
Rules:
Upon each new assignment, watch carefully the landscape and make note of your initial fuel level.
Use any of the standard PDA buttons to skip the initial camera scroll through the playing field.
The four standard PIM hardware buttons on your PDA navigate the ship as follows:
|
Button |
Function |
|
Date Book |
Turns on right-side push engines
(push ship to left) |
|
Address Book |
Turns on left-side push engines
(push ship to right) |
|
To Do |
Turns on main engine (push ship up) |
|
Memo Pad |
Turns on the energy field for a
while |
Pick up cargos as soon as they
appear on docks. Listen for the specific signal notifying you a cargo has
been placed for delivery or periodically inspect docks for new deliveries.
Use the main ship engines to
compensate the G-force and perform a soft landing. Monitor the fuel level
and use it wisely to avoid falling short of it.
As soon as new cargo is
loaded, its destination will be given. There are different types of cargo
and they may have different requirements for the transportation process
(see below).
Do not leave the boundaries of the
playing field or your object may get lost in space or get caught by the
G-force and crash.
Watch out as other objects in space
may surprise you and help you or harm you. Here are some of them:
|
Object |
Description |
|
 |
Lost rocket
by terrorists or fighters for freedom, all the same. Avoid them to
stay alive. |
|
 |
Toxic haze
clouds, released by ships without energy-star compliant engines.
Block your own engines for a while, until the support robots clean
the valves. |
|
 |
A passing by meteor can be dangerous for whole planets, let alone small ships. |
|
 |
Some absent-minded starship
explorers occasionally forget to fix the fuel pack
to their ships, thus giving others free extra fuel. |
|
 |
Communication satellites
are very useful things, except when taken frontally. Actually,
sometimes even then. They can't break the ship, but can easily push it
out of its course. |
|
 |
Hey, this is a free Galaxy and everyone can lose what they feel like losing! If the Intergalactic Revenue Service has left a bunch of golden bars hang around, feel free to get them! It's tax free! |
|
 |
The nitro fuel enhancer
boosts the burning power of the fuel cells, effectively resulting in
faster ship acceleration and, usually, more noise. |
|
 |
Using anti-gravity packs
can be sometimes useful and other times fun. However, make sure you do not mix it with the nitro fuel or you risk taking one-way flight to Somewhere.
|
|
 |
The
star gates
are, well, galactic gates. They periodically open and close and you could only
pass through them when they are open. Direct collision is highly
unadvisable. |
Cargo types are as follows:
|
Cargo |
Description |
|
 |
Standard cargo.
Consider yourself lucky with this classic standard package and 2nd week
delivery. |
|
 |
Explosives. "Handle
with care, especially upon delivery". |
|
 |
Fruits. Deliver
while fresh or take your financial responsibility. |
|
 |
Gemstones. More
time is allocated for the delivery task, but the risk is higher. |
|
 |
Metal scrap.
Ouch! The g-force
has never been stronger with you, young Skywalker! |
|
 |
Fuel. Life has bright sides too. When transporting fuel you could use to
power your own engines! |
