The original Last Ninja 2 Manual
The Last Ninja 2
Back With A Vengeance
Avenger's Handbook
Rarely does a company make as dramatic an impact as did System 3 Software with
the award winning game 'The Last Ninja.' This software innovation proved to be a major
advance in home computer entertainment - achieving critical acclaim from the media and game
players around the world.
System 3 Software has established a reputation for developing innovative and exciting software.
Our aim is to provide the games player with hours of thrilling entertainment, through challenging
and imaginative game play, plus the most sophisticated player-interaction available in this type
of game. And now with over 8.000 man hours invested in planning and development, from the team that
brought you 'The Last Ninja', we are pleased to present to you 'Last Ninja II.'
Last Ninja II is the second game in our interactive action fantasy genre. It features adventure
style puzzles, dynamic on-screen action and a high degree of player control.
Because we are always conscious of your demands for even better products, we have incorporated
many of your suggestions in this game. For example: playing against the clock and having a score to
relate your performance to.
To get the most enjoyment out of this game, we suggest you read all the instructions (and story)
throroughly. This is not just a simple action game.
Later in this booklet we give you some hints to get you started.
We hope you enjoy our latest game, and look forward to entertaining you again in the near future.
Mark Cale
The Ninja, known as the Mystic Shadow Warriors, were the elite
fighting force of Ninth Century Feudal Japan. They were dedicated to the
fine tuning of their bodies into killing machines. Their attributes were many and varied;
they were masters of weapon craft, assassination, stealth and invisibility and many believed them
to be in control of the supernatural. A real master of the art of Ninjutsu could even anticipate
an opponent's moves...and thoughts.
To achieve this high level of skill all initiates had to undergo years of rigorous training. Correct
application of these skills required cunning, dexterity and total mind control.
Students of the Ninja arts drove themselves on try to achieve the state of self-perfection and a
closeness to their god. Therefore martial arts fighting disciplines became the highest, most honorable
path to this perfection. Unfortunately, some Ninja were to abuse their powers...
The Ninja were nearly wiped out of existence during a purge in the Twelfth Century.
But now they are back and more powerful than ever...Back with a vengeance!
The struggle with the Evil Shogun, Kunitoki, had taken its toll. For many months after regaining
control over the island of Lin Fen, Armakuni, the new master of the Ninjutsu, fell into a deep
depression at the loss of his brethren. He reflected again and again upon his struggle against Kunitoki,
and always came to the same conclusion - it was only the end of a battle, not the end of the war.
After more than a year of languishing upon Lin Fen, Armakuni was prepared to reinstate the way of the
Shadow Warrior to its former glory. With the Koga scrolls in his possession all that Armakuni needed
now were the disciples to follow his guidance and the teachings of the ancient manuscripts.
As the word spread around the mainland that a new master had the scrolls and was about to begin
training, the men began to arrive. They were the sons of the fighting elite - the Samurai.
A new order of Ninja slowly began to take shape. But this time the training was going to be
more intense than ever before. Never again would they be caught off guard and be defeated without honor.
During a training session of the Inner Circle - the Master's elite of the elite - a strange
feeling came over the class. It was as if time had abruptly stood still, as if they were the only
people left in the world. As Armakuni rose from his meditating position a strange pulsating light
enshrouded him. Concerned with what they saw, the class tried to rise and go to Armakuni's assistance.
But they were fixed in their positions, no one could move.
The intensity of the light grew around Armakuni until all who were witnessing the scene were
forced to cover their eyes. When the light faded and finally disappeared, the students leapt to their
feet. What had happened ? Where was the master ?
"What is happening ?" shouted Armakuni. But no one could hear him. It was as if he was invisible
and in a sound proof glass box. Why wasn't his class rushing to his aid to help him break free ? Why did
he feel the sharp thorns of fear, while inside he was calm as the deep seas ? What game the ancients
playing with him ? His questions found no answers as he slipped unwillingly into unconsciousness.
Slowly Armakuni clawed his way back through the darkness of deep sleep, back to where he felt
safe. As he forced his eyes open, he was greeted by a sight that his experiences could not have
prepared him for.
Armakuni is now standing on a hard wooden floor surrounded by strange objects that vaguely
remind him of musical instruments. Behind him is a curtain parted slightly in the middle. As he tries to
focus his eyes on his surroundings his mind is sent spinning. He sees strange gigantic shapes,
covered with mirrors, reaching to the very doorstep of the heavens.
"Where am I ?" Shouts Armakuni. Trying to get some control over his rushing emotions he calls
upon all of his reserves of courage. He must try to make sense of the insanity surrounding him. Taking
a moment to meditate, Armakuni suddenly experiences a strange and chilling sensation. There
is a force in this land, a force he has not felt since the final battle with the Evil Shogun,
Kunitoki.
"Could he be here ? Has some cruel trick of fate brought the two of us together once again ?"
thinks Armakuni. As these thoughts rush through his mind, Armakuni begins to realise that their
destinies must be forever intertwined and wherever evil forces try to hold sway over mankind, Armakuni
is the one chosen to vanquish it.
Armakuni's immediate concern is to explore his surroundings. He must find some means of defending himself
against the unknown dangers that lie before him. Although Armakuni was torn from his own time with
nothing more than the clothes on his back, he has total belief in his abilities.
Loading Intstructions
Set up your computer system as detailed in your user manual. Ensure that all non essential
peripherals - such as cartridges, printers, etc. are disconnected. Failure to do so my cause
loading difficulties.
| 1) |
If you are using your Commodore 64/128 with the cassette version of Last Ninja II...
Connect your data cassette player and switch your computer and TV/monitor on. C128 owners should now
select C64 mode by typing GO64, pressing RETURN then Y, then RETURN again.
Insert the Last Ninja II cassette into the data cassette player ensuring that it is fully rewound.
Hold down the SHIFT and RUN/STOP keys on the computer together. Then press the
PLAY key on the data cassette player. The game should then load.
Refer to the multi-load instruction section of this Avenger's Handbook.
|
| 2) |
If you are using your Commodore 64/128 with the disk version of LAST NINJA II...
Connect your disk drive to your computer and switch the disk drive, computer and TV/monitor on.
C128 owners should now select C64 mode by typing GO64, pressing RETURN then Y, then
RETURN again.
Insert the LAST NINJA II disk into the disk drive, label side up. Now type LOAD"*",8,1 and
hit RETURN. The game should then load.
Refer to the multi-load instruction section of this Avenger's Handbook.
|
| 3) |
If you are using your Amstrad CPC 464, 664 or 6128 with the cassette version of LAST NINJA II...
Switch your TV/monitor and computer on.
If your computer has a built-in disk-drive you should now connect a compatible cassette player to your
computer. Then type '|'tape and hit RETURN. Now your computer will be ready to load data from
the tape. To obtain the '|' symbol, press the SHIFT key and @ key together.
Insert the LAST NINJA II cassette into the tape player. Ensure that the cassette label marked
side one is facing upwards and that the cassette is fully rewound.
Press the CTRL and small ENTER keys together, then press the PLAY button on your
cassette player. The game should then load.
Refer to the multi-load instruction section of this Avenger's Handbook.
|
| 4) |
If you are using your Amstrad CPC 464, 664 or 6128 with the diskette version of LAST NINJA II...
If your computer has a built in cassette player, first switch your computer OFF and connect a compatible
disk-drive to your computer. Now switch the disk-drive and the computer ON. Then type ""disk and
hit RETURN. Now your computer will be ready to load data from disk. To obtain the '|' symbol,
press the SHIFT key and '@' together.
Insert the LAST NINJA II diskette into your disk drive, label side up.
Type RUN" DISC then hit the ENTER key.
Refer to the multi-load instruction section of this Avenger's Handbook.
|
| 5) |
If you are using your ZX Spectrum, Spectrum+, Spectrum 48k, Spectrum 128k, Spectrum +2 with the cassette
version of LAST NINJA II...
Connect your cassette player to your Spectrum as advised in the user manual.
If you are using a joystick then insert the necessary interfaces NOW.
Switch your TV/monitor, cassette player and computer ON. If your Spectrum now displays a menu
screen you may select with 48k or 128k basic.
Insert the LAST NINJA II cassette into the cassette player, with the cassette label marked
side one facing upwards. Ensure that the cassette is fully rewound.
Type LOAD"" anf then hit the ENTER key. Now press the PLAY button on you cassette
player. The game should now load.
Refer to the multi-load instruction section of this Avenger's Handbook.
|
Multi-Load intructions
LAST NINJA II is a multi-load game. Each level will be loaded as you complete the previous one.
This means that to enjoy continuous play you MUST keep your LAST NINJA II cassette in your
cassette player, or your LAST NINJA II disk in your disk drive, at all times during a session
with the game. On screen prompts will appear when you complete a level, telling you what to do next.
When loading cassette versions of the game you will be prompted to turn over the tape, rewind fully and
load the next level.
Keyboard Controls
For Commodore owners
| F1 | Turn sound on/off. |
| F3 / F5 | Cycle through Ninja's inventory. |
| F7 | Pause game. |
| Run/Stop | Kill the Ninja. |
| Space Bar | Cycle through Ninja's weapons. |
| J | Select joystick orientation.
Pressing the J key will rotate the joystick's positions through 45 degrees each
time you press it. Select the positions you feel most comfortable to play with.
3 modes: mode 2 is normal. This mode applies to the movement of the Ninja not the
fighting manoeuvres. |
For Spectrum and Amstrad owners
| Enter/Shift | Cycle through the Ninja's inventory. |
| Space Bar | Cycle through the Ninja's weapons. |
| P | Pick up object. |
| Q | Kill the Ninja. |
| H | Pause game. |
| J | Select joystick orientation.
Pressing the J key will rotate the joystick's positions through 45 degrees each
time you press it. Select the positions you feel most comfortable to play with.
3 modes: mode 2 is normal. This mode applies to the movement of the Ninja not the
fighting manoeuvres. |
This game can only be played with a joystick. For Commodore owners the joystick
should be in port 2. For Spectrum owners you should plug the joystick into a standard interface.
It is important to understand that, unlike most fighting games, the Ninja character is capable of
movement in three dimensions. This means that all the moves you can make are relative to
the direction the Ninja is facing on the screen.
Basic Movement
To change the directions the Ninja is facing, roll the joystick handle through all the positions until
you are facing the direction you want.
Commodore, Spectrum and Amstrad Owners all use the same joystick positions.
To walk forward - push the joystick in the direction the Ninja is facing.
To step backwards - pull the joystick in the opposite direction to the one the Ninja is facing.
To drift across the path - push the joystick in the direction you want him to veer
(this applies to walking forwards and backwards).
Special Movements
Collecting items
For Commodore owners
To activate the pick up, press the fire button then pull the joystick bottom right, or bottom left
diagonally.
For Spectrum and Amstrad owners
To activate the pick up, press 'P' on the keyboard, or pull the joystick to bottom left with the button
held down.
To pick up an item from the pathway or the background you first have to position the Ninja correctly.
The Ninja must be facing the object you want to collect and be close enough so that when he bends down,
his hands will be touching the object. Once the Ninja's hands have touched the object it will be
automatically picked up and displayed in the status area. It is then added to the Ninja's inventory.
Somersaulting
Commodore, Spectrum and Amstrad owners
All use the same joystick positions.
To make the Ninja somersault, either to avoid attack or to overcome some hazard, such as jumping from
one wall to another, you should make the Ninja run in the direction you want him to somersault, and while
he is moving press the fire button. Because the Ninja can move in three dimensions, he will jump along
the path or across the path depending on which direction you push the joystick: diagonal up - across
and up the path, sideways - across the path horizontally (the Ninja can only somersault forwards).
Fighting Movements
The following is a list of all the moves, both unarmed and armed, that the Ninja can carry out.
To activate the fighting moves the Ninja should be stationary and the fire button should be pressed.
For Commodore owners
| Unarmed moves |
|---|
| Kick | down |
| Punch | up |
| Duck | up-left or up-right |
|
Armed moves
(sword, nunchakus, and staff) |
|---|
| Stab | right |
| Slash | left |
| High Stab | up |
| Kick | down |
| Parry | up-left or up-right |
| |
Throwing moves
(shiraken, etc.) |
|---|
| Throw | right or left |
For Spectrum and Amstrad owners
| Unarmed moves |
|---|
| Kick | left, or up-left |
| Punch | up, or up-right or right |
| Duck | down-right |
| Pick | down-left |
| |
Armed moves
(sword, nunchakus, and staff) |
|---|
| High Stab | up, up-left |
| Stab | right, up-right |
| Slash | left |
| Kick | down |
| Pick | down-left |
| Duck | down-right |
| |
Throwing moves
(shiraken, etc.) |
|---|
| Throw | up |
General Tips
| * | The first aspects of the game you should master are the
joystick controls. The highly interactive nature of the game is required because of some of the
complex moves the Ninja character has to perform. A high level of competence at the controls will
enhance your game play considerably. |
| * | Because of the adventure elements our second suggestion is that you
should get into the habit of recording what happens on each screen. This will enable you to get
higher scores with repeated play. |
| * | The last point is, never take anything for granted -
some things are not as they appear. Be curious, nosey, etc. and examine everything. |
Clues
The following are clues to some of the objects and hazards you may come across in your travels.
They are listed in the 'load' order, not necessarily th eorder in which you have to find them.
In the spirit of all good adventures...we have not told you the whole story.
| Keys: | There are grate keys and not so grate keys. In the beginning they are
a hard bunch to find. |
| Trap Door: | Get a good grip and punch your way through this problem. |
| Map: | This map is a bit flash, it can reveal a lot. |
| Nunchukas: | Pulling off this two part problem could make you flushed with
success. |
| Shiraken: | You'll have to box clever to reach the stars. |
| Staff: | Reaching new heights, these staff will do well. |
| Bottle: | Wino(t) tramp around the streets and grab a drink while you can. |
| Sword: | Shop around for the best buy, it could be a real steel. |
| Hamburger: | (quote) 'Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down
his extra hamburger for a friend.' |
| Credit Card: | You'll get extended credit when you gain access. It will really
lift your spirits. |
| Computer Terminal: | Your numbers up if you don't act like an elephant. |
The final problem is always in the picture, safely.
The game is played in a variety of environments. The following are a few cryptic clues as to the sort of
places you will be visiting.
Load One: Central Park
The key to success is to gain new heights then go for a frolic on the river.
Load Two: Downtown Manhattan
The busy streets can be paved with danger. Stepping out before your time could really flip you out. If
you're really sophisticated, you can get down to it and make a grate exit.
Load Three: Sewers
Typically deep, dark and dank. There'll be no torch carrying here, you'll just need lotsa bottle.
Load Four: Opium Factory
Meat a real cool cat, but be careful, you might get a shock along the way. Tread carefully before taking
a quick dip.
Load Five: Office Block
Entrance here is no big secret. You could become a real terminal case before you get to meet your
biggest fan and become star struck.
Load Six: Shogun's Retreat
Drop in to see your arch enemy. If you're dumb enough, it might not be too alarming. After that it's full
steam ahead. Careful, if you get cornered you might have to do a six point turn.
|
|
