Detailed instructions for use are in the User's Guide.
[. . . ] What if the enemy's presence and mission to exterminate the human race had finally been discovered?Those pounding explosions you hear, they're only the beginning--the beginning of the end of humanity. As a 26th century Earth Oceans Alliance (EOA) hydrofighter pilot, your mission is to destroy the aquatic-based aliens. Armed with the latest in underwater technology, you are Earth's only hope for victory. [. . . ] Relentless encounters with powerful biomechanical aliens continually challenge you to make strategic as well as combative choices. The aliens' underwater defensive shield will vaporize human craft--can the shield be disabled, or is there a way around it?A found crystal may help you to navigate an alien ship, or it could explode upon contact--do you risk the chance?The wrong answers mean certain death.
The Pilot Control Center
After starting Deadly Tide, you'll be launched into the Pilot Control Center--the place to sign in, customize your controls, and plunge into combat. Click Start from within the Pilot Control Center.
Need to fine-tune your cockpit by increasing the difficulty level, adjusting your graphic quality, or cranking up the volume?Return to the Pilot Control Center at any time during gameplay by pressing F3 or PAUSE.
Signing In
The first time Deadly Tide is played, the default pilot is the registered user. To delete a name from the drop-down list, select the name and click Delete. When you enter a new name in the Pilot sign-in box during gameplay, you must start Deadly Tide from the beginning. If you switch to an existing pilot's name during gameplay, you must start Deadly Tide from that particular pilot's last save point.
Choosing Your Controls: Joystick vs. If a joystick is detected during Setup, the Joystick button is selected automatically, under Controls in the Pilot Control Center. If you prefer aiming with a mouse, click the Mouse button.
Joystick Calibration
To calibrate your joystick, click Calibrate, and the standard Windows 95 Joystick Properties dialog box will appear.
Flip Direction
Tired of your cross-hairs moving up when pulling your joystick or mouse back?If your cross-hairs change into an arrow, now's the time to escape--aim the arrow in the direction you want to go, and press joystick button 2 or your right mouse button.
Sighting and Destroying Your Targets
When your cross-hairs lock onto an enemy target, they will change in both size and color. Press your joystick trigger or left mouse button.
Forearm Blaster
Your suit is a deadly weapon when you access the forearm blaster. Blast away, but note that rapid fire is not accessible when using this weapon.
Lasers
The Hydra's standard weapon is the laser. Overheat and you're without weapon power until your lasers cool down.
Aquatic Concussion Torpedoes
Lasers aren't the only weapons that you can wield on the Hydra. Aquatic Concussion Torpedoes, or ACTs, are the latest in underwater weaponry. ACTs are limited and are only supplied at the beginning of each level.
Your Allies in War
You can rely on two essential pieces of equipment in your fight against the alien threat: the Comp and the Vidlink.
The Comp
Your most dependable ally is the Comp. This transportable computer will offer life-saving advice and information at various points during battle. In your aquatic combat suit, the Comp becomes part of the suit's built-in computer system. When you're aboard the Hastings, the Comp resides within your personal data terminal.
The Vidlink
The Vidlink is a two-way HDTV located on the Hastings. You'll receive mission briefings from your commander through the Vidlink.
Fine-Tuning Your Cockpit
While in the throes of battle, you may want to fine-tune your controls. Press F3 or PAUSE at any point during gameplay and return to the Pilot Control Center.
Graphic Quality
If Deadly Tide is running slowly, try decreasing your graphic quality to improve performance. [. . . ] Decrease the difficulty level, and the enemy will not only lose its targeting edge, but your shield repair rate will increase as well. Level III represents the highest difficulty level.
Volume
Cockpit too noisy?Slide down the Volume control, or press F4 to mute the sound altogether.
Need Help?
For more information about Deadly Tide, click Help in the Pilot Control Center, or press F1 at any point during gameplay.
Troubleshooting
For troubleshooting information, see the Readme file, or look in the Troubleshooting topic of online Help.
Microsoft AnswerPoint
In the event you cannot install Microsoft Deadly Tide, please refer to the following support offerings. Microsoft's support offerings range from no-cost and low-cost online information services (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to annual support plans. [. . . ]