The object of the game is to rescue ambassador Kryxix from the clutches of the evil General Zoff who has him imprisoned onboard his ship, Zoff-V. Plans for a new type of spaceship (the Shadowfire of the games title) are contained in a micro-disc hidden in the Ambassador's spine. If Zoff has the plans, the empire will be in great danger, and it is only a matter of time until his inquisitors will discover them.
The Emperor has assembled the so-called "Enigma Force", a group of six reckless mercenaries, to take care of the situation. The team consist of Torik a winged humanoid, Sevrina a safecrafting murderess, Syylk an Insectoid, Zark a ex-legionaire and a Weapons droid called Maul. The team is completed by Manto who operates a transporter that allows them to infiltrate Zoff-V.
Each of the six members of Enigma Force can be controlled and moved independently, and each has differing stats (such as strength, stamina, and carrying capacity) and unique skills. Characters may attack and be attacked by guards and other NPCs as they move around the fortress, and require weapons to defend themselves. All this in one hour and forty minutes of real time before the ambassador cracks under interogation and tells the bad guys King Charles phone number or in other words just 100 Minutes to save the universe.
The world first icon-driven adventure awaits you....

The screen is divided into six sections. The 'Upper screen' section is called the "Mission command screen" and displays which character is active. Upper-Left part shows the active character and the status plus messages of all characters: whether they are moving, engaged in combat, weak or dying or performing certain action such as picking locks. The 'Upper-Middle' part shows the active character's location. 'Upper-Right' part shows the piccy of the selected hero in all his shiny glory.
The lower half of the screen (here with yellow borders) changes depending on the situation and shows additional information and all selectable actions. Along the bottom a weight-scale bar will register the weight of objects carried.

Controls of this adventure-game are completely 'icon' (symbols) based, which means you have no need of fiddly text inputs. Icons are just little pictures which appear on the screen to represent various items, such as a character,a weapon movement, and so on. Consequently, it´s possible to play the entire game with a single joystick, a lightpen or a mouse.
The screen represents your control panel through which you can communicate with your team. The cursor is placed over an action icon like 'pick up' or 'drop' which is activated using the fire button, then moved to the object icon desired.
Your first task is to beam Manto aboard Zoff V, were he can place the transporter to beam down the other team members...

1. Team select screen

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First you have to choose Manto from the Team Select Screen.
Move the cursor over Manto and activate him. You will be moved to
the next screen then.

2. Character stats screen

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You´re now in the
Characters status screen
with Mantos actual conditions
and states. Now choose the yellow monitor for the Objects Screen.

3. Objects screen

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In the Objects screen you have to choose the Pick-up Icon.
While the Pick-up icon is activated now, move over to one of the Transporter-Icons in the Object-Screen on the left side.

4. Ballistick controller

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The Transporter is now in your inventory screen (center).
Now you can carry the transporter
to the Zoff-V for later use.
Select the Activate-Icon, then move the cursor to the Balistic Controller Icon left in the Objects-Screen.

5. Destination selection

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You will be directly moved here.
The Ballistic Control gives you
3 possible transport positions
onbard the Zoff 5.
After choosing the destination,
Manto will be sent directly onboard
the Zoff-V.

6. MANTO arrives at ZOFF-V

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Manto is now onboard the Zoff-5
as seen on the location screen.
To get his buddys down there,
he has to use his transporter.
Select the Drop-Icon and the choose the Transporter-Icon from your Inventory screen.

7. Transporter in position

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Transporter is now ready. Choose the Activate-Icon and select the Transporter-Icon in the Objects-Screen. Don´t forget to arm the team members before the transport.

8. Get team member onboard

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Now choose the team member you want transport onboard the Zoff-V.
Let´s choose Zark Montor.
The left screen shows all the characters at your current position.

9. ZARK arrives at ZOFF-V

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Zark will transported directly to the same position as Manto. You will see his Icon in the Location View Screen.
Use Pick up Icon for the Transporter when you move ahead.

SPECTRUM 48k

COMMODORE C64

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