# HORACE GOES FISHING

## STORY

Old Horace hasn’t caught any fish since the late 80s. This morning he set out to the sea alone to try one last time …

Help him catch a big one!

## LOADING INSTRUCTIONS

Side A contains the pure BASIC version. Side B contains a compiled (TURBO) version, for professional fishermen)

1. For 128k/+2 models, first make sure to enter the 48k BASIC mode.
2. Insert the cassette with the desired side facing up and rewind it.
3. Type LOAD "" and press ENTER.
4. Press PLAY on the recorder.

The game will load and appear on screen. If the load fails, rewind the tape, adjust the VOLUME control on the recorder and try again. 

Have fun!


## INSTRUCTIONS

The objective of the game is to catch a big marlin fish and bring it back to the port to sell in the market for a good profit, allowing Horace to happily retire. The game is divided in two sections with  different game mechanics and controls.

**Section 1: The capture.** A fish has taken the bait. Fight with it and pull it out of the water. Only a big marlin is worth your effort. 

The fish will escape if it reaches any other border. Tap the controls repeatedly in the opposite direction the fish is pushing to avoid it. Do it right, and the fish’s energy will slowly deplete. Do it wrong, and the fish will revitalise. The fish’s energy bar is visible at the bottom of the screen. You must bring the fish down to the bottom edge of the screen to capture it. However, the fish will fight harder when it feels close to being captured. Make sure it is low on energy before trying to pull it out!

**Section 2: The fight.** Sharks have smelled the blood. You have lost your harpoon killing the first shark. Throw anything you have to fight the sharks and bring the marlin to the port safely.

Sharks will approach from the bottom. Every time one reaches your marlin, it will take a big bite and escape with it. Try to keep as much as your marlin intact as you can. Hit sharks with projectiles to make them retreat. Aiming is automatic, hit the `FIRE` button to throw an object. Hold `FIRE` button for a while to increase strength. Horace will get excited and change colour as it catches its strength. The projectile is actually thrown on `FIRE` key release.

## CONTROLS

- **DOWN:** Press `A` to pull the fish down.
- **LEFT:** Press `O` to pull the fish left.
- **RIGHT:** Press `P` to pull the fish right.
- **FIRE:** Press any key to throw an object. Press and hold to increase strength. The object is released on key release.

## TIPS & TRICKS

### Part 1
1. Before trying to catch the fish, focus in depleting its energy.
2. To deplete the energy, pull the fish in the opposite direction of its movement.
3. After the fish makes a hard push, wait to see its new direction of movement.
4. When the fish pushes up, is the best moment to pull down and try to capture.
5. Don't try to push the keys as quick as posible, try to follow the same pace as the fish for best effect. 

### Part 2
6. In level 1, all shots are always at maximum power.
7. In level 4, you don't see the power meter, but Horace still changes colour as it charges and moves when charged at max power!
8. Try to kill more than one shark with a single shot.
9. You can charge as soon as the shot leaves the screen to avoid the aim point moving.
10. Don't waste your shot when the shark is out of reach.

### Other
11. Did you know that there are hidden options in the main menu? Try to find the secret keys! (↑) 
12. Create your own physical edition using the documents in the "cover" folder.

## TECHNICAL COMMENTS

- The Side A (pure BASIC) version uses no machine code at all.
- The Side B version has been compiled with Mcoder III. The code is essentially the same with minor adjustments in the game parameters to compensate for the faster execution speed.
- The `PROG` system variable is dynamically changed to optimise game speed.
- The game uses a `DEFADD` trick to modify the order of the variables in each part of the game.
- The game uses the `LASTKEY` system variable to improve the keyboard reaction in part 1.
- The game uses the `KSTATE` system variables to precisely measure the time a key is pressed. As a result, the charging time, in part 2, is very precise and almost independent of the execution speed of the program. It consumes very little computation time in the pure BASIC version, and needs no adjustment in the compiled version.
- The energy bar of the fish (part 1) is drawn with a resolution of half a character.

## COPYRIGHT NOTICE

**HORACE GOES FISHING**
© 2024 by Moe and Kerl

This game is a hobby project to be presented in the 2025 Bytemaniacos BASIC game contest. It was inspired by Ernest Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea. The game features Horace as the main character, as a tribute the old SPECTRUM’s mascot.

The Credit's theme, Guantanamera, is a Cuban patriotic song.

Load screen by Moe, Fransouls and Kerl.

Special thanks to the testers:
- Paco Vespa
- R-Tape
- DenimMSX
- Fraespre