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STOP THE EXPRESS v1.2 [released 14 December 2005]
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Original Game written by HudsonSoft and released by Sinclair Research (c)1983
Remake written by David Cooper (aka Jetman's Dad) and released by JDGames (c)2004/05


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CHANGES FROM V1.0 RETRO REMAKES COMPO EDITION
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Version 1.1
* Sponsors Splash Screen removed
* JDGames Splash Screen added
* JD now jumps left and right using one key (Alt) rather than one left and one right
* Snakebird now white rather than red to create better contrast with background
* Redmen now jump the gaps between carriages rather than "hover" over them

Version 1.1a
* v1.1a fixes a bug in v1.1 that allowed JD to walk through the jumping redmen unharmed

Version 1.2
* Score Bar indicator now shows when JD is carrying an object, and what it is.
* JD can now hang from the straps whilst inside the train - just like the original. 


CREDITS
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CODE: 	David Cooper (using GameMaker v5.3a)

SOUND: 	Editted by David Cooper (using Goldwave v1.5)

GRAPHICS: David Cooper (using Paint Shop Pro v7), except Agent Jack Daniels and Redmen
sprites by oddbob0 (Redmen recoloured by David Cooper). Snakebird based on an original
graphic from Spritelib by Ari Feldman.

MUSIC: 	"House of Worship" by David Cooper. Hear the full version, performed by theREIGN,
by going to www.mp3.com.au/thereign.


HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
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The evil 'Redmen' have hi-jacked the RR Express and are speeding its captive passengers
along the track towards ... who knows what. 

Agent Jack Daniels (codename 'JD'): your mission is simple - Stop The Express! 

You will be dropped on the roof of the train, right at the back, and you must make your
way along 10 carriages, jumping over the gaps and avoiding getting thrown off the train
(or knifed) by the Redmen. In response you can use your high kick to nudge the Redmen
off the roof, or catch the snakebird that flies overhead. When released, the bird
will crawl back along the carriage knocking off any Redmen in its way. It will, however,
fly away when it reaches the next gap, AND you can only carry one bird at a time. When
you reach the open hatchway, drop down into the train.

Once inside, you must travel along 10 more carriages, once again avoiding the flying
knives of the Redmen. With no snakebirds to assist you, you must rely on your trusty
high kick and an occasional knife or pistol carelessly left unattended by the Redmen. 

To make matters worse, the enemy has also protected the carriages with SPECTRE(TM)
Robo-Sentries. Not only do these indestructible metal monsters bring instant death, 
but intelligence suggests that the Redmen have access to a small (but deadly) supply of
SPECTRE's latest model complete with twin onboard laser cannons. The sensible thing is
just to stay as far away from them as you can. 

When you reach the front carriage, grab the key to gain entry to the driver's cab and
you can finally bring the train to a halt.

Sucsess (those who have played the original will understand the spelling)! But wait ...
the Redmen have orchestrated a series of similar attacks, so there is no time for
celebration as you prepare to be dropped onto the roof of another hi-jacked loco.

You start the game with 4 lives, and will receive an extra one for every 7,500 points you
score. You may also find a few around the place. Trust me, you will need them all!

Good Luck, and ... MIND THE GAP!


CONTROLLING AGENT JD
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[LEFT ARROW] 	Run to the left/Drop left from the hanging straps
[RIGHT ARROW] 	Run to the right/Drop right from the hanging straps
[DOWN ARROW]	Duck
[ALT]		Jump (in the direction JD is facing)
[SPACE]		Release Snakebird/Throw Knife
[P]		Pause the game
[ESC]		Quit the game


MINIMUM SPECIFICATION
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Hard to say, really ... except to say that it Works brilliantly on the following spec:

CPU:	1.6GHz Pentium 4
RAM:	256MB
Video:	256MB Sapphire Radeon 9600
OS:	Windows XPHome

The game also works quite happily under Win98, WinME and Win2000, although it does run
slower on PCs using onboard graphics chips.

Please note that your video hardware must be capable of displaying at a resolution of
1024x768 in order to run this game correctly. 


VERSION HISTORY
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01/10/2004 v1.0 Retro Remakes 2004 Compo Edition
01/01/2005 v1.1 Minor Update
05/01/2005 v1.1a Bug Fix
01/12/2005 v1.2 Minor Update

Check out www.jdgames.co.uk periodically for new versions and updates.


FEEDBACK
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Comments, good and bad (but constructive, please) are always welcomed, especially bug
reports. Please submit these using the feedback forum on the JDGames website, which can
be accessed directly at http://www.jdgames.co.uk/phpBB or via the main homepage. 

Alternatively, please e-mail me at jd@jdgames.co.uk


LEGAL STUFF
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This game is released as FREEWARE - so You should never be asked to pay for it. If
anyone tries to charge you money, please send the details to conned@jdgames.co.uk.

You are FREE to distribute this game to anyone you wish, provided that this file
(ste12_readme.txt) remains intact and is distributed with the game file. You may also 
post it on your own website if you want to - and I would appreciate you letting me know 
you are doing so.

Phew, now that that's over, please enjoy the game. 

David Cooper
(aka Jetman's Dad)