Tips for "Blast in Space"

[ElectricLime]

I managed to beat the last level, level 16. Here are a couple of tips that might help you out...

- When you want to shoot things, just hold down the spacebar. No need to keep tapping.

- When the level starts, stay put and shoot all the rocks around you (holding down the spacebar) until the immediate area is clear. Just swivel; don't move around (unless you need to back off from any rocks getting too close, but you shouldn't have to). Remember that within a few seconds of the start of a level, rocks will be suddenly appearing from nowhere, so wait before you go flying around.

- Use the little round saucer ship, not the bigger rocket. The rocket's better speed isn't really important unless you like crashing into things. The rocket also has better shot distance, but the saucer's better handling and shields more than make up for that.

- Space station 2 is just northeast of where you start the level. Stations 1, 3, 4, and 5 are in the NW, NE, SW, and SE corners. Aside from the "visit the stations" missions, every regular "shoot the rocks" mission will have one (and only one) of these stations available. Visit the station for a temporary powerup or to have your shields replenished - this is VERY helpful.

- I've noticed that, if you don't shoot rocks for a little while, EVERY rock shows up as a red dot on the radar. This makes the "visit the stations" levels really easy - just pilot by the radar. If you shoot some rocks, there will be 10-20 seconds during which some rocks (not necessarily the ones you shot) won't show up on radar, so watch out.

- You shouldn't ever have to collide with any rocks. Hold down that spacebar and don't zip around really fast when there are rocks around - be careful!

Good luck and good hunting!

 

[MicMin]

Congratulations on the win! Thanks for the tips.

 

[jewelgrrl]

Thanks for all those tips and congrats on winning the game! I've only made it to level 11 one time so far.

Another tip I realized which may be pretty obvious to others, but I didn't think of until quite a few games into it..... is to be sure to watch your score and once you have gotten the score you need just stay in the same place watching your radar for any asteroids that may come near. This way you aren't unnecessarily wondering around the screen and giving yourself more of a chance to get hit for no good reason.

HTH! jewelgrrl

 

[Adventuredaz]

Great tips, I will point out however that while holding the space bar is good in most instances, you can achieve a little more accuracy pressing it at the time you wish. Using a depressed space bar will mean there are times you can not fire because there is a pause between shots. While the pause is minimal, I usually find I prefer to make more precision shots. I have taken a break from the game until my tendinitis in my wrists is better, also with the new games the inflow of credits has slowed way down for me, need more credit.

scratch - having better luck with a depressed space bar made it to level 15 but I am at work so I died on interuption. I have space suit so it is for the challange but I better get a suit if I finish.

 

[dippydawg]

I feel kind of bad for saying this, but I've won the game four times now.

But I wanted to reply and let everyone know that I've done it by using these same techniques, although I like to use the rocketship. It's just easier for me to fly around.

But everything ElectricLime and jewelgrrl have said worked for me too.

One thing I'd like to add that works pretty good for me is that on the levels where you need to fly between the 5 different stations, you will always start right below station 2. Go there first, and then hit the outside stations, hugging the wall, keeping your eye on the radar. I even do this on the "transfer cargo" levels. If I need to go to 1, 3, 4, or 5, I will just fly around hugging the outside wall. I think you'll see fewer asteroids along the outer walls.

But definitely try to limit the flying around to as little as possible, use the radar, and when you've hit the score you need to advance, quit shooting and just find a nice quiet spot and stay there. There's no point in flying around and risk damaging the shields.

The only other thing I might add is try not to rush or take any unnecessary risks.

And before anyone asks, I'm sorry but I don't have an extra suit right now. One was for me, and two were for the kids. The fourth time I won, the VMK server was down (couldn't even get to vmk.com) and when the game ended I got a "No Data Returned" message instead of a code.

But I do plan on trying to win some and give them out.

 

[AZCat]

I've made it through level 14 and get stuck on 15. My question is - how fast do you need to go on level 15 to complete 4 pick-ups and drop-offs? Is it max speed the whole minute to complete the task?

 

[dippydawg]

You don't need to fly crazy wrecklessly fast, but you also can't skip along smelling the daisies on the way.

For me, I've found that if you keep your eye on the radar and stick to the outside (unless you need to go to Station 2) you can go pretty fast. The radar will give you enough warning to let you know if you need to move out of the way.

I even stay on the outside if I need to go from 1 to 5, or from 3 to 4.

However I have noticed that asteroids tend to appear on the screen right next to stations 1, 3, and 5. For some reason 4 is almost always clear. As you near 1, 3, or 5, slow down a little and approach carefully. The same thing for station 2.

Usually what I do is speed along the outside, slowing down as I approach the station.

And here's a tip to help get your bearings if you need to go to station 2.

The stations are arranged (as ElectricLime mentioned) like this:

Note that station 2 is in the upper half of the space field - it's not directly in the middle. The circles represent planets that you see in the background. There are three planets pretty much in a straight line leading from station 1 to station 2, and there is 1 planet (I think only 1) between 3 and 2. If you're flying around and can't find 2, but you see the planets, those should lead you straight to it. Or if you can find 1 or 3, "connect the dots" to get to 2.

Good luck!

 

[peoplemover913]

Wow,King Husky! Put me on your list of folks who would like a code! By-the-way, I have come closer and closer to winning my own fireworks pin...someday...someday!

 

[aterriq]

Thanks for the tips, hopefully I won't feel like

 

[x13igDudex12]

beofre levels 3 and 9 if you stay on top of where a space station should be you get the hit for getting to the space station before even starting in the spot!

((((
i ended level 2 in the top right corner and when i started level 3 i heard he beep and had 1/5 when started...
))))

 

[buzz2400]

great tips. this game is hard.

 

[AZCat]

Thanks for the tips! Knowing that I didn't have to fly like crazy in stage 15 really helped.

 

[puckstopper55]

so i finally did it! I beat this hard game, got my space suit, and now have to work on getting some to gift out. In the process of doing so I learned some things that might be useful.
1) When you seem to run out of astroids to shoot, usually in the lower right portion of the screen you can find some and new ones will be made.
2) the second ship is easier to aim at your targets, and holding the spacebar is very helpful on the missions to deliver cargo and touch all the stations.
3) GOOD LUCK on 15. I was stuck on 15 for 6 tries before i finally got it.
4) Fly using radar but always keep an eye on the screen for new astroids.

 

[aengus]

so i finally did it! I beat this hard game, got my space suit, and now have to work on getting some to gift out. In the process of doing so I learned some things that might be useful.
1) When you seem to run out of astroids to shoot, usually in the lower right portion of the screen you can find some and new ones will be made.
2) the second ship is easier to aim at your targets, and holding the spacebar is very helpful on the missions to deliver cargo and touch all the stations.
3) GOOD LUCK on 15. I was stuck on 15 for 6 tries before i finally got it.
4) Fly using radar but always keep an eye on the screen for new astroids.

good advice puckstopper55.

I have a saying...

The only thing harder than level 11 is level 15 LOL those delivery missions are tough. stay to the outside and hope you dont have to go to station 5 late in the mission (if you have to this is a time to NOT be on the inside)

 

[DementedRiku]

I feel kind of bad for saying this, but I've won the game four times now.

Yeah I have beaten it three times and feel bad too! So no worries! All the tips on here are great! Some ones I want to add is that during the games where you have to earn points, there is always one station there to give you a power. Here are the three powers:

This yellow bucket looking thing will give you energy(shield) so if you hit a lot of meteors and are close to destruction, it will give you a little back!

This orb thingy will give you the power to shoot in front and behind you at the same time! Pretty handy when your surrounded!

And this blue thing gives you 3 streams of shots as opposed to the one stream you normally have. This comes in handy when you need 12000 points!

Note: Randomly, only ONE of the five stations are present each level and the number doesn't reflect what power it gives you. (Ex: Don't always go to Station 3 for a power look for other ones)

-Station 4 is always safe
-If you fly the saucer its hard to tell which way it's pointing so focus on your avatars feet and shoot meteors out of the corner of your eye! Might help!

 

[pokemon_master]

I think the best tip of all is to just use the star tours ship: it's power and has good shields for the expense of speed and movability

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Okay, my question is which of the stations have the cargo to be transferred and on which level? I finally got to the 6th level, but found only one. The first one straight up didn't have any, but one to the left did. Are they exactly where the stations are?
Kim

 

[AZCat]

On the Pick-Up and Deliver rounds, look in the upper right corner of the screen. The game tells you which stations to go to next.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Thanks! I hadn't seen that. But, of course I was busy looking for those dratted rocks, too.
Kim

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Well I've looked for that number telling me where to go first, and it isn't coming up. I do remember it seeing once or twice, but now that I'm getting to level 6 regularly, I've no hint at all which one to 'pick up' first. I did find one by 'stumbling' over it so to speak. So what is the secret? And, believe me, I'm looking at all of the gauges!
Kim