- Top Hat Willy -

                                Version 1.1

                               Public Domain

                         Released Date: 31.10.1994

                      (C) OverFlow Productions  1994


                                 Credits:

              Programming, Graphics, Sound & Music by Scotty
       Title Screen, Sprite Graphics & Design by Scotty and Runelord
                             Font by Runelord



                               Introduction:

  Nowadays a "platform game" means something that scrolls in eight
directions at 50hz speed, has power-ups and jump-on-a-monster-to-
kill-it action. This is thought to be an improvement over 
the 8-bit-style platform games such as Jet Set Willy or Monty Mole.
This is why such games are not made today.
Nobody just does it in the good old style anymore.
Except now, that is! I have decided to revive the "old school" of
platform games, by creating Top Hat Willy,
the Ultimate in Platform Games Entertaiment!


                           System Requirements:

  A Commodore Amiga Home Computer (Rather obvious) with 1Mb of RAM.
Top Hat Willy takes advantage of additional memory, by displaying a
special 32-color raytraced title-screen. The Game is easy to install
to hard drive, just copy all the files to a suitable directory.
If running from Shell, note that the game must be run from it's
directory. If running from floppy disc, you MUST leave the disc
write-enabled! This is because the game has a top-100 saveable
high-score list. (Something that did not feature in the 8-bit games...)


                                 Gameplay:

  When the game has begun, you may control Willy by using joystick
or cursor keys (Press up arrow to jump).To use the staircases,
you must jump into them.(Contrary to Jet Set Willy, where you had
to jump through them to pass them).
You should avoid all the moving monsters and deadly-looking spikes,
as they are fatal to your health. Also, falling from too great
heights causes death. Nine lives may sound much, but when you see
how tough life is in Willy's mansion, the amount does not seem so
luxurious!
  The Aim of the game is to collect all the trash (flashing items)
from the mansion and the mansion (under)grounds. Willy can't go
to sleep unless this has been done. Perhaps he had a party and the
house mistress won't let him sleep before the junk has been cleaned?
Or perhaps Willy is from a cleaning company and he has been ordered
to a haunted house?
Well something like that.
  Anyway, in the true 8-bit tradition, the task is almost impossible.
Only a highly persistent gamer or someone with mental problems can
manage it. Even I haven't completed the game, and I am the author!
The fun comes from trying to beat your, or even better, someone elses
high score. (However, I have tested that it is POSSIBLE to complete the
game, so keep on trying... there is something nice in the end :)


                               Gameplay Tips

  Because the game is so hard, I have decided to include some tips
to the beginners. I myself have not yet completed the game.
My highest score is 115 items collected, which is not nearly all!

  To achieve a pixel-perfect 4-square jump over a pit:
Place Willy at the edge. note that his posture(frame) is always the
same (legs extended) when standing at the edge.
Jump UPWARDS, and whilst in air, hold down the keys to achieve a
diagonal jump. When Willy touches earth after the jump upwards, he
performs a perfect diagonal jump, with no danger of "slipping" into
the pit.

  Sometimes the best way to jump over a monster,
and occasionally the only way, is to use the direct upward jump.
This is especially effective with fast monsters.

  Monsters with the smallest movement range are often the most hardest
to jump over. 

  Practice one room at time. After dying once in a room, don't say
"Oh this is hard, I'll go elsewhere", but instead, sacrifice all
your lives if you must, to learn the room. And then you may include
the room into your Master Plan.

 The Master Plan: There are several routes around the map which are
more effective than others. If you don't have a plan, you'll end
up traveling through the same rooms all the time.


                                Version 1.1

  Version 1.1 now supports NTSC monitors. Previously, only the
gameplay are would fit into screen and the status area (lives,items) would
remain non-visible. Also, title screen information was Out of Screen.
Now, if NTSC is detected, the status area is displayed in single line
at the bottom of the screen.(Lives:n Items:n Room% Room Name)
Title screen information is also moved appropriately.
PAL users may test this new feature by booting the machine in NTSC...
(May not be possible with old Kickstarts)

  The game map has undergone some subtle changes, mostly cosmetic.
With some rooms, the map has been changed so that you cannot take advantage
of the quirky map design.


                              Advertisement:

  Call the OverFlow support BBS, The Unknown Sector for any questions,
comments & possible bug reports.
I would also like to hear if someone really has managed
to complete the game...

Call:

The Unknown Sector BBS Node #1 : +358-0-8793935 (in Finland)

Or! send me a letter:

T. Heikkinen
Viljamintie 5
01800 Klaukkala
Finland

Or! contact our Agent at the Internet:

kontio@mits.mdata.fi

He will forward your comments to me.

  This game is Public Domain, but gifts, goodies and money
are heartily accepted!;) It may persuade me to do a Top Hat Willy II...
Death to the Shareware(=Blackmailware) authors!



                     *** OverFlow Productions 1994 ***