PUBLISHER: Ultrasoft 1993 PRODUCER: DSA Computer Graphics 1992 CASSETTE INLAY: Marek Forray ENGLISH TRANSLATION: TomasCZ/deadpan666/Pavero/Bandit/Romborsoft/Softhouse 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherwood is a strategic-logical game with story freely inspired by the legend of a very famous English outlaw named Robin Hood. In 1148 after having escaped from captivity in Jerusalem, Robin of Locksley, son of Lord Robert of Locksley, has returned after a four month long stressful journey home to England. While Robin fought alongside King Richard in the Holy Land, the king's brother Prince John has usurped the throne. Returning, Robin found his home destroyed and his father dead, killed for refusing to betray the king by the Sheriff of Nottingham's soldiers - retainers of Prince John. Robin swore on his father's grave to seek vengeance on his killer. Accompanied by his childhood friend, Much the miller's son, he left for Sherwood Forest to become an outlaw. Herne, the Lord of the Forest, told Robin: "The time has come to liberate the country from these Norman tyrants. Take this magic bow that will help you kill your enemies. Go and bring me a silver arrow..." Once you have loaded the game into the computer, you can read the introduction. The text is scrolled down by pressing the M key while it is necessary to wait a bit in the second part of the text until the program has been decompressed. With pressing the M key twice more, the main menu is shown and the game may begin. You can control the menu and game with the following predefined keys: O - move left P - move right Q - move up A - move down M - action In case you don't like these controls, choose the Controls option in the main menu and press M. You now may select new game keys or choose one of the available joysticks which, however, need to be connected just prior to the computer has being turned on. In the game, strategic and action games alternate with each other while the current state is shown on the map of England. The Green colour depicts territory already dominated by Robin's retinue. The Azure, Red, and Purple colours indicate territory conquered by his enemies - The Sheriff of Nottingham, Abbot Hugo, and Baron Fitz-Alwin, respectively. While in the strategic sequence of the game, you move inside the menu using the Up and Down keys (or corresponding directions on your joystick). You confirm the selected option by pressing the Action key (FIRE on the joystick). You increase, decrease, and confirm the amount of weapons to be bought or distributed using the Left, Right, and Action keys (or corresponding directions on the joystick), respectively. If using a bow to shoot, you first need to draw back the string by repeatedly pressing the Left and Right keys one after another fast. Once drawn back to its maximum, press the Action key for the aiming cross to show up. Moving downwards, you control the cross by the Left and Right keys so that it aims at the mark at the tree. If the cross has moved just above the centre of the mark, press Action. After you have shot three times, press any direction key to pass the turn to your opponent. If you fight with a sword, the controls are as follows: LEFT - move back RIGHT - move forward UP - rising the sword DOWN - kneeling UP+ACTION - cut from above DOWN+ACTION - cut from below The objective of the game is to kill all three enemies, liberate Lady Marian, and find the silver arrow which is to be carried to Herne. It is necessary to complete the game within 60 days with a maximum of 219 points. Finally, a few tips to bring the game to a successful end: - If you encounter a soldier brigade, the most important weapons are arrows. - Go listening in the tavern sometimes, you may hear some important things. - The Baron can only be killed using the silver arrow. - To successfully finish the game, you will need swords and 300 pounds.