BARBARIAN
Blurb and Playing Instructions
Reproduced from the inner inlay to the compilation release PLAY IT AGAIN SAM 11

The evil sorceror Drax has abducted the beautiful Princess Mariana to satiate his nefarious desires. A powerful warrior is sought to vanquish Drax's demonic guardians and free the Princess. You are that warrior, a mighty barbarian wielding your broadsword with deadly skill.

The game is in two parts, Combat Practice and Fight to the Death, either of which may be loaded. When using the cassette versions, type CHAIN "COMBAT" to load Combat Practice or type CHAIN "FIGHT" to load Fight to the Death. On the disk version, you will be prompted to choose between the two from a menu.

Each warrior can survive twelve blows, which are counted off at the top of the screen above the snakes (Player 1 on the left).

Demonstration Mode and Practice Mode
For both Combat Practice and Fight to the Death, a Demonstration Mode shows the various fighting moves and a Practice Mode allows you (as Player 1) to play against a passive swordsman in order to practise your moves. There is a time limit of 90 seconds for each duel.

One-Player Mode
In Combat Practice, you perfect your swordsmanship against ten of the finest warriors in the land, each more skilful than the one before. In Fight to the Death, you fight for the Princess against the ten evil minions of Drax and finally the evil one himself stands before you. There is no time limit; the time capacity is replaced by the skill level of the opponent you are facing.

Two-Player Mode
In the two player game, you fight your friend, against the background of two alternating screens in Combat Practice, or two different alternating screens in Fight to the Death. Points will be awarded depending on the difficulty of the move used (score for Player 1 is given on the left).

There is a time limit of 90 seconds for each duel. At this time, if both are still in the game, their strengths will be restored and the next duel will commence.

Game Controls

Select Mode (Demo, Practice, 1/2 Players) .............. 1
Sound Effects On/Off ................................... 2
Pause On/Off ........................................... 3
Select Keyboard/Joysticks .............................. 4
Exit from Game .......................... SHIFT and ESCAPE
BARBARIAN Fighting Moves - Keyboard Control
The keys to control the swordsmen are redefinable. Initially, they are defined on the BBC Micro as:

  Player 1 Player 2
Left Z >
Right X ?
Up Q {
Down A *
StrikeTAB £

The following combination of keys are used to make these moves for a right-facing character. For a left-facing character, the moves are reversed.

Without Fire Button Pressed   With Fire Button Pressed
Z and Q ........ Protect Head   Z and Q ......... Web of Death
Q ...................... Jump   Q .................. Neck Chop
X and Q ........ Protect Body   X and Q ............ Head Butt
X .............. Move Forward   X .................. Body Chop
X and A ........ Roll Forward   X and A ................. Kick
A .................... Crouch   A ................... Leg Chop
Z and A ........... Roll Back   Z and A ........ Overhead Chop
Z ................. Move Back   Z ........... Flying Neck Chop