escapeVektor\u2122: Chapter 1 is a retro styled arcade game for WiiWare\u2122 in which the player controls Vektor, an entity trapped inside the player\u2019s CPU. Each level consists of a series of interconnected lines which form cells. These are claimed as Vektor moves along them. Claiming all of the cells in a level unlocks the exit to the next level, bringing Vektor closer to his escape.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, this is no ordinary CPU. It has held Vektor captive for what feels like an eternity and it doesn\u2019t want him to leave now. As Vektor progresses with his escape, the CPU sets up obstacles and sends out its army to destroy him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the first part of our escapeVektor: Chapter 1 feature we have a look at one of the enemy types and some of the obstacles Vektor has to deal with during his escape.<\/p>\n
Patrols<\/strong><\/p>\n Patrols are the most basic of the enemy types and are the first line of the CPU\u2019s attack. Not the brightest, they each take a set path and stick to it, over and over and over again. Once you know their route, navigating the level becomes easier. But watch out, if you cross their path they will become alert, increase their speed and chase you.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can avoid being destroyed by the Patrols by timing your escape through their paths. This is easier once the Boost ability has been unlocked as you can Boost faster than they can move, even when they\u2019re in alert mode.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n The Boost Ability<\/strong><\/p>\n Vektor has some coding abilities and after a while he is able to code up an ability called Boost to help with his escape. As you claim parts of a line, your Boost bar fills up, allowing you to use the ability to travel faster around the level. When you use Boost, your Boost bar is depleted. Boost is only replenished when you claim new lines though, so use this ability wisely. As you get further through the game, you can unlock more Boost bar sections so you can move quickly for longer. Just as well, you\u2019re gong to need it!\u00a0<\/p>\n Electric Fences<\/strong><\/p>\n The Patrols will also turn electric fences on and off when they pass through switches. Be careful, if you\u2019re passing though an electric fence when it\u2019s triggered by a Patrol, you\u2019ll fry.<\/p>\n All of the Electric Fences have switches but not all of the switches are the same. Some are timed switches, where a fence is switched on or off for only a certain amount of time before it reverts to its previous state. Others switch the fence on or off until they are switched back off or on again by Vektor or an enemy. Sometimes two linked switches will need to be triggered before a fence is switched on or off. Before heading towards one of these obstacles, be sure you know what triggers it – you don\u2019t want a burning Vektor!<\/p>\n Cannons<\/strong><\/p>\n Cannons fire out bullets every few seconds and the same number of bullets are fired every time, so you\u2019ll need to time your moves carefully. Make sure you\u2019re not in their firing line when those bullets are released otherwise Vektor will be Cannon fodder.<\/p>\n Bonus Levels<\/strong><\/p>\n There are 30 cool levels to complete in the game, but if you own our other WiiWare title Pop, you\u2019ll unlock some bonus levels as a thank you from us. But that\u2019s not all. We\u2019ll be releasing other escapeVektor chapters in future which will follow Vektor\u2019s progress as he makes his escape though other parts of the computer. If you download them, you\u2019ll open up more bonus levels in Chapter 1. If you want to make it past a score of 10 million in Chapter 1, you\u2019ll need to open up all of the Bonus levels.<\/p>\n Do you think you\u2019re up to it? Can you help Vektor escape? A few Patrols and some electric fences with the occasional Cannon thrown in won\u2019t stop you, especially when you have Boost. Right?\u00a0<\/p>\n Wrong! Take your eye off these Patrols for a few seconds and you\u2019ll lose track of what they\u2019re up to. Then you\u2019re in deep trouble. Too much focus on the Patrols and you\u2019re liable to forget what\u2019s happening with the Electric Fences, or you just might run into some Cannon fire by mistake. And that\u2019s not the end of it. We haven\u2019t even told you about the Hunters or the Interceptors yet!<\/p>\n We\u2019ll tell you more in Part 2. In the meantime, take a look at this video to find out exactly what we\u2019ve been talking about.\u00a0<\/p>\n