Marsport
Encyclopedia
Marsport is a science fiction
computer game that was released for the ZX Spectrum
and Amstrad CPC
home computer
s in 1985. It was published by Gargoyle Games
in the United Kingdom
and Dro Soft in Spain
. Marsport was intended to be the first part of a trilogy called "The Siege of Earth" but parts two and three (Fornax and Gath) were not forthcoming. Because of this, it is often regarded as being part of an unofficial trilogy alongside Tir Na Nog
and Dun Darach
(both of which are part of the same official series) due to its having very similar gameplay to these titles. Marsport also has similarities to the later Gargoyle game, Heavy on the Magick
.
siege by the insectoid Sept. Since the siege began, the Sept have
been kept at bay by a huge Force Sphere which surrounds the Earth
and the Moon. However, the Sept are on the verge of discovering
how to breach the Sphere unless it can be strengthened according
to the formulae contained in the original plans. Unfortunately,
these plans are concealed somewhere in the Martian city of
Marsport, now Sept-occupied and booby-trapped by the city's
M-Central computer. One man, Commander John Marsh, has been sent
to retrieve the plans in the belief that a determined man can
sometimes achieve more than an army.
1. Locate the M-Central computer; Marsport is a three-dimensional
city, where levels are connected by express tube, which will take
you up or down, but probably not both. In addition, many sections
of the city cannot be reached until specific problems have been
solved.
2. Gain access to the original Sphere plans, held in M-Central's
inner sanctum. This will require re-exploration of Marsport, for
having achieved the first objective, you will find that many parts of the city, previously unreachable, will now be open to you.
3. Leave the city of Marsport with the plans intact, which may
prove the hardest task of all...
You will come across many beings, objects and city elements which
may help or (more likely) hinder you. These are some of them:
1. Sept
The player can encounter two types of Sept: the hopping
Warriors which patrol certain areas, and the
stationary Warlords blocking certain passages.
2. Robots
Controlled by M-Central. Some are harmless
information gatherers but some are warden
units, now hostile to all intruders - human or
Sept...
3. Supply units
The prime source of objects; they are continuously replenished.
4. Lockers
Can be used for storing objects.
5. Refuse units
Can be used to dispose of unwanted objects.
6. Charge units
Can recharge energy devices (like a laser gun).
7. Factor units
Will combine two or more objects to manufacture a new object. Note that components are logically linked, so random attempts at manufacture will not work, and any irrelevant objects present in the unit will prevent manufacture!
8. Key stations
Will require the insertion of a key object to release a nearby wall unit or door. However, not all locked doors and units can be opened in this manner, and some may require a more active or remote solution...
9. Vidtex units
Provide (possibly) useful information which is displayed on the large video screen in the status area.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
computer game that was released for the ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
and Amstrad CPC
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
home computer
Home computer
Home computers were a class of microcomputers entering the market in 1977, and becoming increasingly common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a single nontechnical user...
s in 1985. It was published by Gargoyle Games
Gargoyle Games
Gargoyle Games was a British software company founded in 1983 by Roy Carter and Greg Follis in order to publish their first game, Ad Astra. They generally specialized in games for the ZX Spectrum even though the company was originally named with the intention of publishing games for Dragon computers...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Dro Soft in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Marsport was intended to be the first part of a trilogy called "The Siege of Earth" but parts two and three (Fornax and Gath) were not forthcoming. Because of this, it is often regarded as being part of an unofficial trilogy alongside Tir Na Nog
Tir Na Nog (game)
Tir Na Nog is a video game published in 1984 by Gargoyle Games for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. It was ported to the Commodore 64 in 1985. It is loosely based on Celtic mythology....
and Dun Darach
Dun Darach
Dun Darach is an arcade adventure published in 1985 by Gargoyle Games for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC computers.The background history is based on Celtic folklore about the hero Cuchulainn, and his battles against the people of Connachta in ancient Ireland. "Dun Darach" or "Dún na nDarach"...
(both of which are part of the same official series) due to its having very similar gameplay to these titles. Marsport also has similarities to the later Gargoyle game, Heavy on the Magick
Heavy on the Magick
Heavy on the Magick is a computer game for Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum published in 1986 by Gargoyle Games. The game's influences draw heavily from the occult, with the Master Therion in the plot below a reference to Aleister Crowley. To finish the game, the player must invoke numerous demons who...
.
Story
The year is 2494. For seventy years, the Earth has been undersiege by the insectoid Sept. Since the siege began, the Sept have
been kept at bay by a huge Force Sphere which surrounds the Earth
and the Moon. However, the Sept are on the verge of discovering
how to breach the Sphere unless it can be strengthened according
to the formulae contained in the original plans. Unfortunately,
these plans are concealed somewhere in the Martian city of
Marsport, now Sept-occupied and booby-trapped by the city's
M-Central computer. One man, Commander John Marsh, has been sent
to retrieve the plans in the belief that a determined man can
sometimes achieve more than an army.
Gameplay
Marsport effectively has three distinct objectives:1. Locate the M-Central computer; Marsport is a three-dimensional
city, where levels are connected by express tube, which will take
you up or down, but probably not both. In addition, many sections
of the city cannot be reached until specific problems have been
solved.
2. Gain access to the original Sphere plans, held in M-Central's
inner sanctum. This will require re-exploration of Marsport, for
having achieved the first objective, you will find that many parts of the city, previously unreachable, will now be open to you.
3. Leave the city of Marsport with the plans intact, which may
prove the hardest task of all...
You will come across many beings, objects and city elements which
may help or (more likely) hinder you. These are some of them:
1. Sept
The player can encounter two types of Sept: the hopping
Warriors which patrol certain areas, and the
stationary Warlords blocking certain passages.
2. Robots
Controlled by M-Central. Some are harmless
information gatherers but some are warden
units, now hostile to all intruders - human or
Sept...
3. Supply units
The prime source of objects; they are continuously replenished.
4. Lockers
Can be used for storing objects.
5. Refuse units
Can be used to dispose of unwanted objects.
6. Charge units
Can recharge energy devices (like a laser gun).
7. Factor units
Will combine two or more objects to manufacture a new object. Note that components are logically linked, so random attempts at manufacture will not work, and any irrelevant objects present in the unit will prevent manufacture!
8. Key stations
Will require the insertion of a key object to release a nearby wall unit or door. However, not all locked doors and units can be opened in this manner, and some may require a more active or remote solution...
9. Vidtex units
Provide (possibly) useful information which is displayed on the large video screen in the status area.