*********

Welcome to Project 64!

The goal of Project 64 is to preserve Commodore 64 related documents
in electronic text format that might otherwise cease to exist with the
rapid advancement of computer technology and declining interest in 8-
bit computers on the part of the general population.

Extensive efforts were made to preserve the contents of the original
document.  However, certain portions, such as diagrams, program
listings, and indexes may have been either altered or sacrificed due
to the limitations of plain vanilla text.  Diagrams may have been
eliminated where ASCII-art was not feasible.  Program listings may be
missing display codes where substitutions were not possible.  Tables
of contents and indexes may have been changed from page number
references to section number references. Please accept our apologies
for these limitations, alterations, and possible omissions.

Document names are limited to the 8.3 file convention of DOS. The
first characters of the file name are an abbreviation of the original
document name. The version number of the etext follows next. After
that a letter may appear to indicate the particular source of the
document. Finally, the document is given a .TXT extension.

The author(s) of the original document and members of Project 64 make
no representations about the accuracy or suitability of this material
for any purpose.  This etext is provided "as-is".  Please refer to the
warantee of the original document, if any, that may included in this
etext.  No other warantees, express or implied, are made to you as to
the etext or any medium it may be on.  Neither the author(s) nor the
members of Project 64 will assume liability for damages either from
the direct or indirect use of this etext or from the distribution of
or modification to this etext. Therefore if you read this document or
use the information herein you do so at your own risk.

*********

The Project 64 etext of the ~Last Ninja 2, Back With A Vengeance,
Player's Guide~, converted to etext by Russell Reed <rreed@cei.net>.

LNINJ210.TXT, August 1997, etext #269#

*********

LAST NINJA 2
Back With A Vengeance
Player's Guide


The Ninja, known as the Mystick Shadow Warriors, were the elite
fighting force of Ninth Century Feudal Japan.  They were dedicated to
fine-tuning their bodies into killing machines.  Students of the NInja
arts drove themselves to achieve the state of self-perfection, and the
discipline of martial arts became the highest and most honorable path
to this perfection.  Unfortunately, some Ninja were to abuse their
power...

The Ninja were nearly wiped out of existence during a purge in the
Twelfth Century.  But now they're more powerful than ever... and back
with a vengeance!


Getting Started

To load The Last Ninja 2 into your computer, follow these steps:

  1.  Plug a joystick into port 2 on your computer.  Make sure that all
      peripherals are turned off or disconnected.

  2.  Turn on your disk drive and TV or monitor.

  3.  Insert The Last Ninja 2 disk into your disk drive, label side up.
      If you're using a Commodore 128, the game will load automatically
      when you turn on your computer.  If you're using a Commodore 64,
      turn on your computer and, at the READY prompt, type LOAD "*",8,1
      and press Return.

The Last Ninja 2 includes several levels of gameplay.  Each level is
loaded as you complete the previous one, so to enjoy continuous play
you must keep your The Last Ninja 2 disk in your disk drive at all
times while playing.  On-screen prompts will appear when you complete a
level, telling you what to do next.


Keyboard Controls

  F1                 Turn sound on/off.

  F3/F5              Cycle through the Ninja's inventory.

  F7                 Pause game.

  Run/Stop           Kill the Ninja.

  Space Bar          Cycle through the Ninja's weapons.

  J                  Select joystick orientation.

                     If you want to change the direction of the
                     joystick movements to match more closely the
                     Ninja's movements, press the J key to rotate the
                     joystick's positions 45 degrees.  This joystick
                     rotation applies to the Ninja's running movements,
                     not his fighting maneuvers.


Power Levels

The power levels of the Ninja and his opponent are measured in the
coil-like gauges in the bottom left corner of the main screen.  The red
drains out of each coil as the Ninja and his opponent fight, showing
how much strength each has, and how much longer each can fight before
he dies.  The Ninja's power level gauge is on the right; his opponent's
is on the left.


Timer and Score Keeper

Next to the power gauges is the timer, and below it, the score keeper.
The timer keeps track of the amount of time it takes you to play the
whole game.  The score keeper displays the points the Ninja earns by
landing hits, kicks and blows on his opponents.


Controlling the Ninja

The Ninja can move in three dimensions.  This means all the moves the
Ninja can make apply to the direction he's facing on the screen.

The Ninja changes directions when you: roll the joystick handle through
all the positions until he's facing the direction you want.

The Ninja runs forward when you: push the joystick in the direction the
Ninja is facing.

The Ninja runs backward when you: push the joystick in the opposite
direction to the one the Ninja is facing.

The Ninja runs diagonally when you: push the joystick in the direction
you want the Ninja to veer.  He can move diagonally in both a forward
and backward direction.


Collecting Items

The Ninja picks up an item when you move him next to it, press the
joystick button, then quickly pull the joystick diagonally back and to
the right or left.


Somersaulting

One of the most effective moves in the Ninja's repertoire is the
somersault.  To activate this maneuver so he can avoid attack or
overcome a hazard, make the Ninja run in the direction you want him to
somersault.  While he's moving, press the joystick button.  Because the
Ninja can move in three dimensions, he will somersault forward or to
the side, depending on which direction you push the joystick.  If you
push the joystick diagonally forward, the Ninja somersaults across and
up; if you push the joystick sideways to the right or left, he
somersaults horizontally.  The Ninja can somersault only while moving
forward.


Fighting Movements

The following is a list of all the Ninja's moves, which he performs
both unarmed and armed.  To activate the fighting moves, press the
joystick button with the Ninja standing still, and move the joystick
according to the directions listed below.

Unarmed Moves                         Joystick Direction

Kick                                  down

Punch                                 up

Duck                                  up-left or up-right


Armed Moves                           Joystick Direction
(sword, numchakus, and staff)

Stab                                  right

Slash                                 left

High Stab                             up

Kick                                  down

Parry                                 up-left or up-right


Throwing Moves                        Joystick Direction
(shiraken and other throwable objects

Throw                                 right or left


General Tips

  * Master the joystick controls.  The better you are at the controls,
    the more you'll enjoy the game.

  * The Ninja begins the game with five lives.  Every time he dies, he
    loses a life.  If he uses up all his lives, you lose the game.  He
    can gain lives by picking up certain items.

  * There's a lot of movement in The Last Ninja 2, so don't get
    distracted.  Remember what happens on each screen as you're
    playing.  Remembering details will help you get higher scores each
    time you play the game.

  * Never take anything for granted: some things are not as they
    appear.  Be curious; examine everything.


Clues

The following are clues to some of the objects and hazards you may come
across in your travels.  Like all good adventures, however, there is
more to the story.

Keys.  There are grate keys and no-so-grate keys.  In the beginning,
they're a hard bunch to find.

Trap Door.  Get a good grip and punch your way through this problem.

Map.  This map can reveal a lot.

Nunchukas.  Pulling off this two-part problem could make you flush with
success.

Shiraken.  You'll have to box cleverly to reach the stars.

Staff.  Reaching new heights, staff will do well.

Bottle.  Why not 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.  "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 number's up if you don't act like an elephant.


The Final Problem is Always in the Picture

The game is played in a variety of environments.  Here are a few
cryptic clues about the places you'll be visiting:

Level One: Central Park

The key to success is to gain new heights then go for a frolic on the
river.

Level Two: The Street

The busy streets can be paved with danger.  Stepping out before your
time could really flip you out.  If you're very sophisticated, you can
get down to it and make a grate exit.

Level Three: The Sewers

Typically deep, dark, and dank.  There'll be no torchcarrying here --
you'll just need lots of bottle.

Level Four: The Basement

Meet a real cool cat, but be careful -- you might get a shock along the
way.  Tread carefully before taking a quick dip.

Level Five: The Office

Entry here is no big secret.  You could become a real terminal case
before you get to meet your biggest fan and become star-struck.

Level Six: The Mansion

Drop in to see your arch enemy.  If you're dump enough, it might not be
too alarming.  After that, it's full steam ahead.

Level Seven: The Final Battle

Careful -- if you get cornered you might have to do a six-point turn.

*********

End of Project 64 etext Last Ninja 2, Back With A Vengeance, Player's
Guide.

*********
