A Very Basic "Getting Started"

Here’s a guide on how to play *Solar Winds: The Escape*, a classic 1993 top-down space action game developed by Epic MegaGames.   Its creators have quite the legacy in video game history.   

**Overview**
In *Solar Winds: The Escape*, you play as Jake Stone, a bounty hunter in a distant planetary system. The game blends action, exploration, and a light role-playing narrative. Your goal is to complete missions, upgrade your ship, and uncover a conspiracy involving the solar government and mysterious aliens. The game uses a top-down perspective, and you’ll pilot your ship through space, engage in combat, and interact with other characters.

**Getting Started**

1. **Initial Setup**:
   - When you start, you’ll see an intro cutscene explaining Jake Stone’s situation. Pay attention, as it sets up the story.
   - You’ll then be in control of your ship in space, with a control panel at the bottom of the screen and some information to help get you started.

**Controls**
- **Movement**:
  - Arrow Keys: Steer your ship (up, down, left, right).
  - Speed by pressing the UP or DOWN arrow keys

- **Combat**:
  - Alter: Fire “lasers” (bullets).
  - Ctrl: Launch missiles (if available).
  - F1-F4: Adjust shield frequencies to counter enemy weapons.
  - F5-F6: Adjust weapon frequencies to deal more damage.
  -Press ‘N’ for War Mode

- **Power Management**:
  - Enter: Open the Engineering menu.
  - Allocate power to systems by pressing the corresponding keyboard key


- **Other Actions**:
  - S: Scan nearby objects (ships, planets, etc.).
  - C: Communicate with ships or stations.
  -F10: Engage hyperdrive (once unlocked).
  - Esc: Pause the game.

**Gameplay Basics**
1. **Objective**:
   - You start with a mission from the solar government. Follow the dialogue and objectives given by NPCs (non-player characters) to progress.
   - Missions vary: delivering cargo, fighting enemy ships, or exploring specific locations.

2. **Exploration**:
   - The game features a wide-open solar system. Fly around to find planets, ships, and stations.
  - Use the Scan (S) function to identify objects and their purpose (e.g., friendly, hostile, or mission-related).

3. **Combat**:
   - Enemies will attack you, especially as you progress. Position your ship to avoid taking too much damage.
   - Lasers are your primary weapon; missiles are limited but powerful.
   - Adjust shield and weapon frequencies (F1-F6) to match enemy settings for better defense and offense (though this can be optional if combat feels easy).

4. **Power Management**:
   - Your ship’s energy (measured in gigawatts, GW) is finite. Allocate it wisely between weapons, engines, shields, and life support.
   - After your first mission, you get an E-Band Converter, which lets you gain energy by destroying enemy ships—use this to keep your systems powered.

5. **Hyperdrive**:
   - Later, you’ll unlock a hyperdrive to travel faster. It consumes energy, so ensure you have enough GW before using it.

6. **Cargo and Trading**:
   - Some missions involve picking up or delivering items. Check your cargo hold via the control panel.
   - You can trade or use items to complete objectives.


*Solar Winds: The Escape* is a fun mix of space combat and storytelling, though it’s a product of its time with some dated quirks (like slow travel). Take your time to enjoy the retro vibe, experiment with the ship systems, and immerse yourself in Jake Stone’s adventure. Once you finish, consider tracking down *Solar Winds: Galaxy* (aka *Solar Winds II: Universe*) to continue the story!


