The game understands one or two word commands, e.g. CLIMB TREE or JUMP. If it doesn't understand, try a different work, for example, if you type: PUSH BUTTON and it responds: 'I don't know how to PUSH' you could then try: PRESS BUTTON.

The second word in your command, the object, may also produce an error. Maybe you have typed GET MATTRESS and it responds: 'I can't see a matador with a green cape'.

This is because there is a matador with a green cape. This is because there is a matador somewhere else in the game and the computer does not recognise the word MATTRESS.

You can only manipulate those objects that are prefixed with 'You can see'; you cannot manipulate objects mentioned in the room description.

The program distinguishes between objects whose status has changed. For example, it says 'You see an empty bottle'. To get it, type: GET EMPTY BOTTLE, because later you might be able to fill it and the message would be 'You see a full bottle', and to get it you say: GET FULL BOTTLE.

This would also apply to objects like ropes (tied or untied) and keys (various types; skeleton, brass, etc.). When checking your response, the computer refers only to the first few letters in each word; four letters for the first word and three letters for the second word, so the words: CLIMB THE TREE could be written as: CLIM TRE to save time.

Stranded recognises a wide range of words. Some you will have to discover for yourself, others are standard, for example:

There are some commands which have little to do with playing the game but are commands to the program.

When using SAVE and RESTORE, note the following:

Do not save a game on anything other than a disc of the same track size, or you will have to start again. Remember to put the adventure disc back in drive 0 after saving or restoring a position.

You score for getting on in the game, for holding or wearing certain objects and, of course, for winning.

Almost everything in Stranded has a purpose. EXAMine every object you come across. Messages can often give you some help. If you try to get an object and the reply is 'You can't' then it means that the object is too heavy,e.g. you have tried to get a spaceship, or that you have to do something to the object first, e.g. you have tried to get a robot; maybe you have to unplug it first. Read the description of locations; they often contain clues, e.g. if a room is floored with soft earth then maybe you should try digging. Use SAVE and RESTORE regularly. Since the journey through the game is very long and extremely difficult, it is inevitable that at some time you will be killed.

You don't want to have to start from the beginning all over again just because you hadn't saved a position. Use SAVE whenever you think you may be going into danger. It might also be a good idea to SAVE your positions under numbered files, e.g. GAME1, GAME2, GAME3, etc. just in case you find that you have lost an object that you need later on in the game. Finally, make a map as you go along, summarising each location and showing its exits. Stranded is fairly easy to map pictorially and a map will help you to find your way around the game.

The year is 29354 AD, the place is Luxodon, a small planet in the Gorgonzola Galaxy, a rarely visited quarter of the ever-expanding universe. Luxodon one thrived on its computer industry, churning out more new models than anyone else, and taking most of the market for itself.

Twenty centuries ago, however, war raged across the green skies of Luxodon, destroying most of the population, bar a small minority who hid in small holes in the ground. When the wars had ended, they rebuilt the planet and a peaceful society grew from there on. This is where you live.

Words couldn't describe how boring a life you have. As you can already see, the history lessons at school are the worst bits. At the age of twenty-one, having gained every certificate of merit in the book, you set off with your fortune to leave this disgustingly boring planet.

On arriving at the spaceport, you discover that your fortune won't even buy you a package flight to Conramon, one of your neighbouring planets. There is nothing for it but to escape from this planet illegally.

You realise that the penalties for being caught stowing away on intergalactic flights are extremely severe. Anyway, you conceal yourself in a small cupboard aboard the Starfreighter 'Etoile', a large ship carrying a cargo of flysprays to some other planet in some other galaxy.

All you care about is that you can get away from Luxodon. It was a foolish plan from the start. You forgot to account for the fact that you had hidden in the food store. You were discovered at tea-time. Of hear, it looks as if it's curtains for you as you are thrown into a large dingy hold...

You may be wondering what this background information has got to do with the actual game, as you do not appear to be stranded anywhere at all. Well, actually, I made it all up in five minutes - and it really is a load of useless garbage. I can, however, inform you that, in a very early stage of the game, you will arrive on a planet which is somewhat backward in its technological development, with no means of interplanetary travel. This is why you will be stranded. You win the game by returning to civilization. I'm sorry if I've just spoiled the whole plot of the game for you - but that's life.

Stranded was written and conceived by me, Tony Heap, using a system based on Jonathan Evans' ADVENTURESCAPE programs and a beautifully clean(ish), brand new(ish) Master 128. The game incorporates lots of brilliant new features which I feel it is my duty to brag about. The speed of the game is now amazing as it incorporates really good machine code routines for text display, input interpretation and puzzle-checking.

Credits are given to anyone who tested the game for me and spotted countless numbers of bugs, the proof-readers, Howard for being so generous with his money - but not for censoring this script, me for being so brill and you for having such good taste as to buy the game.

This might just possibly be Heyley's last Beeb game (so who cares?) as we are shifting our attention to the Archimedes (Watch out for the Arc conversion of Stranded!). However, if enough people write in to beg me to write more Beeb games, enclosing extremely large amounts of money, then I might just consider it!