Unlocking the Secrets of escapeVektor (part 3)
Escape with all the medals
This is the final part of our series of features telling you all you need to know about escapeVektor. Read on to learn about more enemy types, Boostenate and the soundtrack that will accompany your escape from the CPU.
Run, blast and reach for the stars!
escapeVektor™ is a retro styled arcade game in which the player controls Vektor, an entity trapped inside the player’s CPU. Each node (level) consists of a series of interconnected lines which form cells. These are claimed as Vektor moves along them. Claiming all of the cells in a node unlocks the exit to the next node, bringing Vektor closer to his escape.
However, this is no ordinary CPU. It has held Vektor captive for what feels like an eternity and it doesn’t want him to leave now. As Vektor progresses with his escape, the CPU sets up obstacles and sends out its army to destroy him.
In the final part of our escapeVektor feature, we describe the Interceptors, Munchers and Locusts, the most difficult enemies to deal with. We also talk about the Detonate and Boostenate abilities, high scoring tactics and the interactive soundtrack.
Interceptors
Interceptors are fast and intelligent. They will head straight for you as soon as they’ve spawned. Multiple Interceptors may swarm on you while completing some nodes so you need to be alert at all times when they are around. They do however, have one weakness: they can only cross a certain number of junctions before they expire, so use Boost or Super Boost and outrun them if you can.
Most Interceptors will be spawned by passing through a switch so you should be aware of where they are and try to avoid triggering them until as late as possible in the node.
Alternatively, you can destroy them by using Detonate or Boostenate which are unlocked part way through the game.
Munchers
Munchers are hungry beasts. They move super fast and will attack any lines you have converted to your colour. When they reach them they will start to eat them up turning your lines back to normal! After eating a set amount of your lines they will become full and stop to drop down a bomb.
Try to keep ahead of them by using Boost or Super Boost and lead them into certain death like an electric fence, or use your detonate ability to destroy them and their bombs!
Use Boost or Super Boost to out-run the Muncher!
Locusts
Locusts enter the node knowing where you are. They move extremely fast and can teleport to catch up with you! When you see a red pulse you know a locust is about to teleport. Watch out for the red pulse where they land – if they land on top of you then it’s certain death!
Detonate
All of the lines in a node make up multisided cells. Fully bordering one of these cells by claiming the lines that border it will fill up a Detonation pip, allowing you to use Vektor’s Detonation ability to destroy all enemies within a certain radius. This is a handy, sometimes essential, weapon to use against a horde of swarming Interceptors. As you progress through the game your Detonation Radius will increase, giving you the ability to destroy enemies further away and clear a path for your escape. You’ll also unlock more Detonation pips which means you can use Detonate more often.
Detonate in action!
Boostenate
Boostenate is a super powerful ability which Vektor creates late into the game. When you have both Detonation pips and Boost energy you can activate Boostenate. This consumes both your Detonation pips and your Boost energy pretty quickly, however while active it makes you INVINCIBLE!! This allows you to smash through enemies and other obstacles, such as electric fences, which would normally kill you on contact! Boostenate is going to be essential when it comes to escaping the later nodes in the game!
Smash through enemies using Boostenate!
Scoring & Chains
If high scores are your thing, keep that Detonation finger holstered. This ain’t no gunfight at the OK Corral! The more lines you claim without using Detonate, the higher your scoring multiplier. If you get through the whole node without using detonate, you’ll maximise the multiplier and achieve a higher score. What’s more, you’ll also be awarded a star for completing the node without using Detonate. This brings us on to…..
The escapeVektor Star System
Before you get too trigger-happy with Detonate, you might want to consider the ultimate escapeVektor challenge. You’ll receive a star for each node you complete without using Detonate. If you want to collect all the Badges in the game, you’ll need to complete all nodes without using Detonate. This is where it gets really tricky. From an early node where it’s just you and a Hunter to later nodes where you are battling against any number of Patrols, Hunters, Interceptors, Electric Fences and Cannons, only a real escapeVektor expert has the skill and dexterity to complete all nodes without using Detonate. Are you up to the challenge?
Interactive Soundtrack
It can be tense negotiating these nodes so we’ve created a very cool soundtrack to help you get Vektor out of there. Many of these tracks will be stuck in your head long after you’ve stopped playing the game. While you are playing though, you’ll notice some interactivity with the music. The multilayered tracks mean that the music will build if you are spotted and chased by enemies and as you complete more of the node the complete track will be revealed. This is no walk in the park but you can choose to Detonate your way out of trouble if you have to. Just don’t expect to get a coveted escapeVektor star for blasting your way out of trouble! And if that soundtrack is too much to resist you can download it here.
If you’ve read all 3 parts of our escapeVektor feature you’re pretty much up to speed. We’ve briefed you enough to make sure Vektor is in good hands. But the theory is all very well. How will you cope with the CPU’s army in practice? Can you sneak past the Patrols, dodge the Hunters and outrun the Interceptors? And even if you can, will you end up being fried by the Electric Fences or shot by the Cannons? All we can do now is wish you good luck. Oh, and be nice to Vektor, he’s been in there a while.
Tags: boostenate, chains, detonate, escapevektor, interactive soundtrack, interceptors, locusts, munchers, Nintendo 3DS, PS Vita, scoring, Star System