Star Mine

Star Mine is a 3D first-person space shoot ’em up in which you pilot a Zeus-class star-mining ship through alien mines. The old Federation is poor and failing, and you raid mines deep beyond known space to help it survive. Fly through each mine’s enclosed space, blast star jewels from asteroids and take cargo from alien ships before escaping to the next mine.

The alien mines

Mines have floor and ceiling laser grids that enclose asteroids floating inside. Wormholes let the mines’ inhabitants enter and leave, while patrol ships and other aliens defend the area. Some sections are locked and require a key, which you may obtain by destroying patrol ships. Approaching or shooting near some aliens can provoke them to fight back or ram your ship.

Some mines also have indestructible automatic defense fields powered by the mine’s energy grid. Attractor fields can pass through walls and other objects; lightning conductors scattered through the mine are part of the grid. Your Zeus-class ship’s maneuvering thrusters can help you outrun your adversaries.

Flying and fighting

Your ship builds momentum when you thrust, can turn in any horizontal direction and can ascend or descend. You can thrust forwards or backwards, and the ship slows when you release the thrust. Shoot asteroids to break them apart and collect the jewels required to progress. Destroy alien ships to collect any cargo they leave floating in space.

A radar at the top centre of the screen marks nearby objects: red for aliens, green for jewels, asteroids or cargo, and light blue for energy. If your hyperdrive runs low, you automatically arrive at a mine containing hyperdrive energy, which may be locked away in part of the mine. Once you have collected the required jewels and have enough hyperdrive energy, you automatically hyperspace to the next mine.

Energy and supplies

Mines contain blue quantum-magneto-resonance cubes that restore shield energy, as well as amber spherical plasma that strengthens your weapons. Some also hold hyperdrive energy. Getting hit reduces both your shields and gun strength.

Difficulty and level codes

You can choose between NOVICE and EXPERT difficulty. Completing a level gives you a four-digit code that lets you play from that level. The latest code appears at the bottom of the level-code entry screen, but is not shown if you exit the game.