SKID ROW
presents
THE CASTLE OF DR. BRAIN An Adventure Game to Strain Your Brain
HELP WANTED -- LAB ASSISTANT
Dr. Brain, world-famous mad scientist (well, I'm not really mad, just a little bothered by the world situation), is currently interviewing candidates for the position of Laboratory Assistant. The applicant chosen will help me save the world, create amazing new inventions and clean up my secret basement lab.
Apply in person at The Castle of Dr. Brain.
THE CASTLE OF DR. BRAIN
Welcome to the Castle of Dr. Brain! Dr. Brain is advertising for a lab assistant and you just may be the one for the job. Bring your copy of the job ad and your best problem-solving skills, and be ready to test your brain power.
In Dr. Brain's castle, you'll need to apply a lot of different ways of thinking to solve the puzzles Dr. Brain has set up to test job applicants. Some of the puzzles require planning ahead, others require the ability to recognise patterns, still others depend on using logic, and all of them take persistence. If you don't solve a puzzle the first time through, keep trying.
Hint Coins
You will begin the game with one hint coin, and earn more as you solve the puzzles. If you get stuck trying to solve a puzzle, click on the coin slot in the puzzle window to buy help.
In some puzzles a hint coin will buy a solution to part of the puzzle. If a coin buys a solution, spending more coins (if you have them) will buy more solutions.
In other puzzles a hint coin will buy a hint about solving the puzzle. If a coin buys a hint, you can click on the coin slot to see the hint again without spending more hint coins.
The more hint coins you have left over at the end of the game, the higher your score will be. Use your hint coins wisely.
Difficulty Level
You can set the difficulty level in Dr. Brain to Novice, Standard, or Expert at any time. The harder you set the difficulty, the more points you will earn for solving the puzzles.
The Puzzle Interface
Each puzzle comes up onscreen in a puzzle box. Each puzzle box has three buttons:
Coin Slot
Clicking on the coin slot button gets you help with the puzzle if you have a hint coin to buy that help.
For more information on hint coins, see Hint Coins, above.
Exit Clicking on the Exit button closes the puzzle window.
If you are unable to complete the puzzle or want to quit the game or do something else in Dr. Brain's castle, clicking on Exit will allow you to leave the puzzle and come back to it later.
Question Mark
Clicking on the question mark tells you about the puzzle - what you need to do, how to use the controls, and what kind of help your hint coins will buy.
The Dr. Brain Icon Bar
At the top of the game screen is an icon bar. Each icon represents an activity you can perform in the game. The icons in Dr. Brain are:
Look
looks like an eye. Choose Look when you want a description of something you see on the screen.
Do
looks like a hand. Choose Do when you want to take an action on something on the screen.
Item
looks like a picture frame. If you are not using an item from your inventory, the screen will be blank. If you are using an item, that item will be shown in the frame.
Inventory
looks like a book bag. Choose Inventory when you want to see what items you have picked up, or to use one of your items. For more information on Inventory, see your Sierra Game Manual.
Controls
looks like a slider bar on a control panel. Choose Controls when you want to change the volume or difficulty level of the game, or when you want to save, restore, restart or quit your game.
Go Back
looks like an arrow pointing back the way you came. Choose Go Back when you want to leave the puzzle or room you are in now and go back to the room you came from.
Help
looks like a question mark. When you choose Help you will be able to get information by moving the question mark cursor on the other icons in the icon bar.
Dr. Brain:
click Dr. Brain to get a description of the room you are in.
For more information on how Icons work, see your Sierra Game Manual.
When you choose an icon, the cursor changes to reflect that item. Use the cursor on the screen to perform an action. For instance, use the eye cursor on an object to look at that object. Use the hand cursor on an object to take an action on it, such as opening a drawer or picking something up.
Dr. Brain Says
Amaze your friends by writing secret messages using my ultra top secret Decoder Grid! Any time you want to write something about a game or sport, just look it up on the grid. Instead of using the name of the game, use its top secret symbol equivalent. I guarantee your friends will have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!
GAME MANUAL
HOW TO READ THIS MANUAL
Throughout this manual we will use the following ways of representing information:
Menu Commands will be CAPITALISED. Example: SAVE, RESTORE, QUIT, PLAY
Type commands will appear as bold type.
Example: 'type cd\sierra`
Portions of the command line not meant to be typed will not appear in bold type. For example, in the line 'type cd \sierra`, 'type` should not be typed.
[Keystrokes] will appear in brackets setting them off from the surrounding text.
Example: [Spacebar], [Tab], [PageUp]
The brackets are not keystrokes and should not be typed.
Two or more keys that should be pressed together will be separated by a hyphen (-). This hyphen is not a keystroke, and should not be typed.
Example: 'Press [Ctrl-I] to view your inventory.`
If a space appears between parts of a command, it is meant to be typed.
Example: 'type cd \sierra` (the space between cd and \sierra should be typed as part of the command)
The term 'diskette` is used to refer to either 3.5" or 5.25" data storage disks.
GETTING STARTED
ALL SYSTEMS:
Readme Files
PLEASE NOTE
If there is a README file on your game diskette, it may contain important information and instructions that were not available at the time the documentation and other materials for this game were printed.
AMIGA README Instructions
Boot your system with Workbench. With the STARTUP DISK in your diskette drive, double-click on the SIERRA disk icon, then double-click on the README.DOC icon.
ALL SYSTEMS:
Getting Started
Make Back-ups
It is always advisable to make back-up copies of your master program diskettes to increase the life of the masters and guard against accidents. Follow your computer's instructions to make copies of all game diskettes.
Create a 'Save Game` Disk
Even if you will be playing from a hard disk, you may want to format a blank diskette for saving games. Follow your computer's instructions to format a blank diskette and keep it handy for saving your games as you play. For some helpful tips on saving games, see 'Saving Your Game`.
AMIGA
HARD DISK Installation Options
PLEASE NOTE
RENAME your copies of all game disks to remove the words 'COPY OF` from the disk name. If the words 'COPY OF` are not removed from the disk names of ALL the copies, the system will continue to ask for the original disk, and will not run the game.
There are two Hard Disk Installation options to choose from:
Complete Install
will copy the contents of all game disks to your hard disk. Choose Complete Install if you want to install the entire game.
Small Install
will copy only the contents of the STARTUP DISK onto your hard disk. As you play the game, you will be prompted to insert other game disks as necessary. The INSTALL procedure will recommend Small Install if you do not have the minimum amount of storage space available on your hard disk for the entire game.
Installing Your Sierra Game
1. Boot your system with Workbench, and insert the STARTUP DISK into Drive DF0.
2. Double-click on the disk icon, then double-click on the INSTALL icon.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Note
If your hard drive is not device DH0, be sure to change the default destination to the correct device. For instance, on the Amiga 3000, the default destination directory should be changed to WORK.
Loading Instructions
From Diskettes:
NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE TWO DISKETTE DRIVES TO PLAY FROM DISKETTES.
1. Insert the DUAL PLAY DISK into drive DF0:.
2. Turn on your system.
3. Insert GAME DISK 1 into drive DF1. You will be prompted to insert additional disks as required.
NOTE: THE DUAL FLOPPY PLAY DISK MUST REMAIN IN DRIVE DF0.
From Hard Disk:
1. Load Workbench and double-click on your hard disk icon.
2. Double-click on the SIERRA drawer.
3. Double-click on the Sierra Game drawer.
4. Double-click on the Sierra Game icon.
AMIGA 1000
Loading Instructions Without Hard Disk
1. Boot your system with Kickstart.
2. When the Workbench disk appears on-screen, insert the DUAL FLOPPY PLAY DISK in Drive DF0.
3. Insert GAME DISK 1 in Drive DF1. You will be prompted to insert additional diskettes as required.
NOTE: THE DUAL FLOPPY PLAY DISK MUST REMAIN IN DRIVE DF0.
Note for experienced Amiga users
This game will search all drives for game information. If you have more than two floppy drives and/or a RAM disk, you may load additional game disks in these drives to save time.
Playing Your Sierra Game
ALL SYSTEMS:
Using a Mouse
To activate the icon bar, move the cursor to the top of the screen. To position the on-screen cursor, move the mouse to the desired position. To move your character, position the cursor and click the mouse button. To execute a command, click the mouse button (multi- button mouse users, click the left button).
NOTE
If the icon bar has been activated using the mouse you will not be able to use the keyboard to toggle between choices.
For more detailed mouse instructions, see below.=
1 - Button Mouse
__________ [SHIFT-CLICK]
[ENTER] --- | | Cycle through
|__________| available cursors.
| | [Ctrl-Click]
| | Toggle between
| | WALK and last
|__________| cursor chosen.
2 - Button Mouse
__________
[ENTER] --- | || | --- Cycle through
|____||____| available cursors.
| | [Ctrl-Click]
| | Toggle between
| | WALK and last
|__________| cursor chosen.
3 - Button Mouse
Middle-click Toggle between WALK and
WALK and last active cursor.
|
___________
[ENTER] --- | | | | --- Right-click Cycle
|___|___|___| through available
| | cursors.
| |
| |
|___________|
Using a Keyboard to Play Your Sierra Game To position the on-screen cursor or move your game character using a keyboard, press a direction key on the numeric keypad. To stop your character, press the same direction key again. To execute a command, press [ENTER]. To move the on- screen cursor or game character in smaller increments for exact positioning, hold down the [SHIFT] key and use the arrow keys. For more detailed keypad instructions, see below.
Numeric Keypad
7 Up-Left
8 Up
9 Up-Right
4 Left
5 Cycle through available cursors.
6 Right
1 Down-Left
2 Down
3 Down-Right
0 Toggle between WALK and last cursor chosen.
. Open icon bar.
Enter [ENTER]
Using a Joystick
To position the on-screen cursor using a joystick, move the stick in the desired direction. To execute a command, press the FIRE button. For more detailed joystick instructions, see below.
Joystick button 1 [ENTER]
Joystick button 2 Open icon bar
PLEASE NOTE
With the exception of mouse-only items, all playing instructions beyond this point are for keyboard. Mouse or joystick commands may also be used. Please reference the section above for mouse and joystick equivalents to keyboard commands.
Using Icons and Cursors
Note
Listed below are standard Sierra icons and cursors. Additional icons and cursors may be available in your game - for more information, please use the HELP icon and cursor explained below.
At the top of the screen is an icon bar containing several icons that can be selected to execute the command choices available to you.
To open the icon bar, press [ESC] or move the mouse cursor all the way to the top of your screen.
Some icons will have a menu of choices. Use the [Tab] key, arrow keys or mouse cursor to move between choices within an icon menu.
The Walk Icon
Choose Walk when you want to move the character from place to place on-screen. A walking character will move as far as the edge of the screen, avoiding obstacles in its path.
The Walk Cursor (mouse mode only)
When you choose Walk, the cursor will change to a walking figure. Place the feet of the figure at the place where you want to move the character and click the mouse button or press [ENTER]. Your character will move to that spot, avoiding any obstacles in its path.
PLEASE NOTE
Your character's destination will be assumed to be the edge of the screen in the direction of movement, and will walk off the screen if not stopped.
The Look Icon
Choose Look when you want to have the character look at something on-screen.
*Note: There may be a slight variation in the appearance of this icon from game to game. If you are unsure of an icon's purpose, click on the icon with the HELP icon (the question mark located at the right end of the icon bar).
The Look Cursor
When you choose Look, the cursor will change to an eye. Place the eye at the desired place on the screen and press [ENTER]. If there is something to be seen at this place, a message will be displayed.
The Action Icon
Choose Action when you want your character to manipulate an object.
The Action Cursor
When you choose Action, the cursor will change to a hand. Place the hand at the desired place on-screen and click the mouse button or press [ENTER]. The necessary action will be performed.
The Talk Icon
Choose Talk when you want to initiate a conversation between game characters.
*Note: There may be a slight variation in the appearance of this icon from game to game. If you are unsure of an icon's purpose, click on the icon with the HELP icon (the question mark located at the right end of the icon bar).
The Talk Cursor
When you choose Talk, the cursor will change to a talking head. Position the TALK cursor on the person (or thing) you want to speak to, and click the mouse button or press [ENTER]. If conversation is possible, your character will talk, or a conversation will begin.
The Item Icon
The Item icon shows the last inventory item you selected. Choose Item when you want to see or use this item.
The Inventory Icon
Choose Inventory when you want to see and select from the items you are currently carrying. Within the Inventory screen are several options: ?, Look, Action, and OK. Choose ? and click on any menu icon to learn the function of the icon. Choose Look and click on any inventory item to get a description of that item. Choose Action and use the Action cursor to use an inventory item to take action on another inventory item (Example: putting jewels into a pouch). To select an item for use, click on the arrow icon, then click on the desired inventory item. (See Inventory Object Cursors, below.) Choose OK to leave the Inventory screen and return to the game.
*Note: There may be a slight variation in the appearance of this icon from game to game. If you are unsure of an icon's purpose, click on the icon with the HELP icon (the question mark located at the right end of the icon bar).
Inventory Object Cursors
Each item in your inventory has a special object cursor associated with it. Each of these cursors looks like the object it represents. Object cursors can be used to perform game actions with your inventory items.
To use an Object cursor in the game, follow the steps below:
1. From the game, choose the Inventory icon from the icon bar, or press the [Tab] key.
2. Move the arrow cursor to the inventory item you want to use, and press [ENTER]. The cursor will change to look like the item you have selected.
3. Choose the OK icon. You will exit the inventory screen to the game.
4. Move the Object cursor to the place on-screen where you want to use the inventory item and press [ENTER].
The System Icon
When you choose the System icon, several options will be displayed; SAVE, RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, PLAY, TEXT (in some games), VOLUME, SPEED, and DETAIL.
Choose SAVE when you want to save your game in progress. Choose RESTORE to restore a previously saved game.
Choose RESTART to begin the game again.
Choose QUIT to stop playing and return to DOS. The SPEED lever adjusts the speed of your character's on-screen movement.
Place the cursor on the lever and hold down the left mouse button as you move the lever up (faster) or down (slower).
The VOLUME lever adjusts the sound volume of the game music. Place the cursor on the lever and hold down the left mouse button as you move the lever up (louder) or down (softer). NOTE: On systems using only an internal speaker, VOLUME will not adjust sound level, but will toggle sound on (up) and off (down).
The DETAIL lever adjusts the amount of non-essential animation in the game; if your computer system is running the game too slowly, you may want to adjust the game detail to eliminate non-essential animation. Place the cursor on the lever and hold down the left mouse button as you move the lever up (more detail) or down (less detail).
The TEXT lever, available only in selected games, adjusts the amount of time text messages will remain on your screen. Place the cursor on the lever and hold down the left mouse button as you move the lever up (less reading time) or down (more reading time).
*Note: There may be a slight variation in the appearance of this icon from game to game. If you are unsure of an icon's purpose, click on the icon with the HELP icon (the question mark located at the right end of the icon bar).
The Help Icon
Choose ? and click on any menu icon to learn the function of the icon.
Pausing Your Game
If you wish to pause the game, select the System icon from the icon bar. The game will pause until you select PLAY to resume play. Alternatively, just bringing up the icon bar will also cause the game to pause.
Saving Your Game
IMPORTANT!! If you do not wish to save to your hard drive, you must have a separate formatted diskette ready before you can save a game. Since each disk can only hold a limited number of games, we recommend that you have more than one disk formatted, in order to assure adequate space for save game storage. To allow for errors in judgement and creative exploration, we recommend that you frequently save your game in progress, and that you save several different games from different points as you play. You will always want to save your game before encountering potentially dangerous situations. You should also save your game after you have made significant progress. You may name your saved games using standard English phrases. For example, if you are standing on a beach, you might call you game 'standing on beach`, or simply 'beach`.
Saving to a Floppy Disk
1. Choose the System icon (slide lever) from the icon bar, then select SAVE. The Save Game menu will appear.
2. If you are playing from a hard drive and saving to a floppy drive, you will be prompted to insert your Save Game diskette into your floppy drive (example: a:).
PLEASE NOTE The first time you attempt to save a game to a floppy disk while playing from the hard drive, you will need to change your default save game directory as follows: using your [Tab] key, select CHANGE DIRECTORY. Press [Ctrl-C] to clear the command line, and type the name of your floppy drive. Insert a blank formatted diskette in your floppy drive. Select OK, and press [ENTER]. Type the description of your save game, and press [ENTER] to save the game.
* The term 'directory` refers to directories, drawers and folders.
Saving to Hard Disk
NOTE
If you choose to save games to your hard disk, we suggest that you create one or more save game directories or folders on your hard disk. See your computer's instructions for creating directories.
Choose the System icon (slide lever) from the icon bar, then select SAVE. The Save Game menu will appear.
If you wish to save the game to a directory * other than the one you are currently playing on, select CHANGE DIRECTORY *. Press [Ctrl-C] to clear the command line, and type the drive and name of the new directory * .
Select OK, and press [ENTER].
Type the description of your saved game, and press [ENTER] to save the game.
Restoring Your Game
1. Choose the System icon (slide lever) from the icon bar, then select RESTORE. You will be prompted to select the game you wish to restore.
2. Highlight the desired game and select RESTORE.
3. If the game you wish to restore is in a different directory, select CHANGE DIRECTORY, then type the name of the directory * you wish to restore from.
* The term 'directory` refers to directories, drawers and folders.
Quitting Your Game
To stop playing, choose the System icon from the icon bar (slide lever) and select QUIT.
Restarting Your Game
To restart your game at any time during play, choose the System icon (slide lever) from the icon bar and select RESTART.
Message Windows
Message windows will appear at various times during the game. When you have read the message, press [ENTER] to remove the window and resume play.
NOTE
Some message windows are program controlled, and cannot be cleared by pressing [ENTER]. These windows will clear automatically, dependent on your text speed setting (see TEXT LEVER, page 20).
TIPS FOR ADVENTURERS
LOOK everywhere. Thoroughly explore your surroundings. Open doors and drawers. Look closely at all objects you encounter or you may miss important details. EXPLORE each area of the game very carefully, and DRAW A MAP as you progress through the game. Make a note of each area you visit, and include information about objects found there and dangerous areas nearby. If you miss an area, you may miss an important clue!
GET objects you think you will need. You can see an inventory of items on hand by choosing the Inventory icon at any time.
USE the items you have picked up to solve problems in the game. Different approaches to a puzzle may bring about a different outcome.
BE CAREFUL, and remain alert at all times - disaster may strike in the most unlikely of places!
SAVE YOUR GAME OFTEN, especially when you are about to try something new or potentially dangerous. This way, if the worst should happen, you won't have to start all over again from the beginning. Save games at different points, so you will always be able to return to a desired point in the game. In effect, this will enable you to travel backward through time and do things differently if you wish.