

=========================================================================
********************* IRON SOLDIER: FAQ/WALKTHRU *******************
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              Mech Strategy/Shooting Game released 1994 UK (PAL)

                            Format: Atari Jaguar

                      FAQ/WALKTHRU (version 1.0) 06/12/2001

Author - falsehead (Sophie Cheshire). Contact me at falsehead@aol.com

Copyright stuff; this is (c) Sophie Cheshire. If you wish to use this FAQ on
your website, feel free to do so under the following conditions. a) You email
me first and let me know where it will be appearing and b) you do not alter the
content in anyway (if you need to change the formatting slightly for display
purposes that's OK).

If I find out that any part of this FAQ has been lifted and used without credit
to me, especially if you use it to earn money, then I will be annoyed. I didn't
type all this up for the good of my health you know.

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********************************* CONTENTS *****************************
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1) INTRODUCTION/REVISION HISTORY

2) CONTROLS
a) Game Controls
b) Understanding the Game Screen
c) Choosing a Mission

3) WEAPONS
a) Arming your Iron Soldier
b) Standard Manipulator
c) Cassy Assault Rifle
d) Parker Chain Cutter
e) Badger Hand Grenade
f) Rachels Gatling Gun
g) Wolfpack Rocket Launcher
h) Charlotte Rail Cannon
i) Slate Heavy Shield
j) Sable Cruise Missile

4) ENEMIES
a) Glaive Helicopter
b) Greave VTOL
c) Gauntlet Attack Plane
d) Brassard Light Tank
e) Tasset Heavy Tank
f) Javelin Rocket Launcher
g) Heaume Gun Turret
h) Enemy Iron Soldiers
i) Behemoth Frigates

5) BUILDINGS AND ITEMS
a) Factory
b) Warehouse
c) Residential Block
d) House
e) Water Tower
f) Fuel tanks
g) Skyscrapers
h) Control Towers
i) Power Plants
j) WOOD crates
k) STEEL crates
l) REPAIR crates
m) SUPPLY Crates
n) WEAPON Crates

6) MISSION BREIFINGS and WALKTHROUGH
a) The Bust
b) Care Package
c) London Bridge
d) Midnight Raid
e) Hunt the Hunter
f) Walk in the Park
g) Fox and Hound
h) Pearl Harbour
i) Pandora's Box
j) Hornest Nest
k) One-Man Army
l) The Best Defence
m) Urban Renewal
n) Escort Service
o) Return to Sender
p) War is Heck



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************************ INTRODUCTION/REVISIONS *************************
=========================================================================

INTRODUCTION - Iron Soldier is a fairly decent attempt at a Mech game on the
defunct Atari Jaguar console.  Although graphically it is no great shakes there
are a lot of option available to you in how you complete your missions and once
you have got to grips with the initial complex control of your Mech or Iron
Soldier there is a lot of fun to be had trashing buildings and fighting with
other Mechs in the game.  There is even a story behind all this mayhem, and
I've quoted the intro from the original manual to give you a flavour of the
game.

"DESTROY THE COPORATE MACHINE"

" Industry has taken over the planet.  Three quarters of the Earths surface is
covered with concrete and steel cities and wastelands.  The Iron Fist
Corporation (IFC) has used military force to conquer national governments and
create a world wide military dictatorship.

"Recently, the IFC developed a new weapon for use in urban areas: a 42 -foot
tall piloted robot, known as the Iron Soldier (or, IS). With such a weapon,
they will have no trouble maintaining their hold on the populous.

"However an organization has been formed to stop the IFC.  This group, known as
the Resistance, has even managed to capture and early production model of the
Iron Soldier Unit.

"This is where you come in.  As a member of the Resistance, your job is to
pilot the Iron Soldier in a one-man war against Iron Fist.  The fate of the
world rests on your shoulders, but at least your IS's shoulders can mount
rockets..."

SO that's the objective, you all alone in a prototype Mech have to kick some
evil dictator ass!   I have also used the manual to provide addition info on
the controls of the game, weapons etc.

Well I hope you enjoy my guide to this fun if flawed game!

*************************************************************************

REVISIONS - Version 1.0 (30/11/2001). First Version.  All the controls,
weapons, items and enemies listed.  Basic mission briefings provided.

Basically this first version of this guide contains mostly info drawn from the
official game manual.  This is an old game and so if you have lost your manual
or acquired it without one then this should be very helpful.  If you have the
manual then this won't be so helpful.

However, the next update will see full and detailed mission walkthroughs. As
well as tips and advice I have drawn from my own playing of the game.

Also I have discovered there are other games in this series, maybe I will
include some info on where to find the sequels and on what systems.

=========================================================================
****************************** 2) CONTROLS ******************************
=========================================================================

a) Controls

WALK FORWARD - A button + d-pad Up
This makes you go forward, once you have started moving, you can let go of A
and you'll carry on.

WALK BACKWARD - A button + d-pad Down
This makes you go forward, once you have started moving, you can let go of A
and you'll carry on.  You'll go slower backwards than forwards

STOPPING - Press A on its own to stop moving.  While walking you can step on
tanks, trees, houses etc.

LOOKING AROUND

d-pad up/down: Looks up and down
d-pad left/right: Looks left/right

While looking hold the C button to move your view faster.  Pressing C by itself
will centre your view.

SELECTING HAND WEAPONS

Press the Option Button to switch between the left and right hand-held weapons.
 You can also use your Iron Soldiers hands if you have no weapons equipped.

SELECTING WEAPON MOUNTS

Use the Number Pad to select the weapons assigned to each Mount.  If the weapon
is out of ammo or there is no weapon assigned to that mount then you cannot
select that mount.

1 = Right shoulder mount
3 = Left shoulder mount
4 = Right Hip mount
6 = Left Hip mount
7 = Right hand mount (or use option button)
9 = Left Hand mount (or use option button)

This is how the weapons are laid out on the number pad overlay (if you have
lost the one that came with the game the you can use this to help you make a
new one).  Left and Right are reversed on the pad because obviously you are
looking from behind the Iron Soldier, which IS a tad confusing I admit.

                     IRON SOLDIER

     1             ADVANCED CONTROLS            3

RIGHT SHOULDER       SHOULDER MOUNTS      LEFT SHOULDER
                  Rachel's Gatling Gun
                Wolfpack Rocket Launcher
     4            Charlotte Rail Cannon         6
 RIGHT HIP          Slate Heavy Shield       LEFT HIP
                  Sable Cruise Missile

                      HIP MOUNTS
                  Badger Hand Grenades
                   Rachel's Gatling Gun
     7           Wolfpack Rocket Launcher       9
RIGHT HAND                                  LEFT HAND
                        HANDS
                 Standard Manipulator
                 Cassy Assault Rifle
                 Parker Chain Cutter

     * ---------------- RESET ---------------- #


b) Understanding the Game Screen

The top left corner shows a diagram of your Iron Soldier.  Highlighted parts
shows which weapon is currently in use.  The vertical bar shows how much ammo
that weapon has left.

At the top of the screen in the middle is a text bar, which tells you important
stuff like what items you have picked up.  Underneath this is a warning light
which flashes when you have taken too much damage.

In the top right of the screen is your radar.  Your Iron Soldier is in the
middle so you can see what enemies are behind you.  Ground targets appear as
white dots, airborne units show as red. Enemy Iron Soldiers are blue dots.

In the bottom left is a picture of the current weapon in use.

At the bottom of the screen is your hits/health bar that shows how much more
damage you can take before you are destroyed.

b) Choosing a Mission

There are 16 missions on the mission selection screen.  They are available in
blocks of four.  Once you have completed a mission a tick will appear.  You can
replay missions as many times as you like if you so wish.

Once you have done the first block of missions, the next block of four will be
unlocked.  You can tackle missions within each block in any order you like. 
The only exception is the final block 13-16, which must be played in numerical
order.

Completing certain missions gives you access to more weapons so you may find
some missions become easier on completion of others.

One you have chosen a mission you'll be taken to the briefing screen, then if
you wish to continue select PLAY and carry on to the arming screen.  If you
wish to go back and choose a different mission select EXIT.

Destruction of your Iron Soldier means you can't complete the mission and
you'll have to use a Continue to carry on playing. If you fail the mission
outright you'll be taken back to the mission selection screen where you can
choose to do the mission again.  You do not use up a Continue for this.

=========================================================================
****************************** 3) WEAPONS *******************************
=========================================================================

a) Arming your Iron Soldier

After you have acceptd a misson you will go to the Arming Screen.  Here you can
assign weapons to each of the six mounts.  Only one weapon per mount can be
assigned and various types of weapons can only be used on certain mounts.

Use the d-pad to make your selections and press B, then select the mount you
want and press B again to assign it there.  Once the Iron Soldier is armed to
your liking press EXIT to start the mission.

You have to earn better weapons as you progress through the game.  Until you
have gained them, some weapon boxes will have question marks in them.

b) Standard Manipulator

This is the technical term for you Iron Soldier's hands.  You can use you hands
as weapons, mount a chain cutter or rifle or leave one free to throw grenades. 
This is the most effective way to smash buildings and damage enemy Iron
Soldiers.

c) Cassy Assault Rifle

This is a 75 MM semi-automatic hand held rifle with a good ammo storage
capacity.  Hold down the B button to make it fire 3 round bursts.   It is a
good all round close to medium range weapon, but its major downside is it needs
both hands.  You cannot equip a chain cutter if you also have the rifle
equipped.

d) Parker Chain Cutter

This is a chain driven cutting device, which replaces your right hand and must
be mounted there.  It is excellent for destroying buildings or enemy IS units
in a close range fight.

e) Badger Hand Grenade

These big grenades explode on impact and have a large area of splash damage. 
If you don't strike the target directly you still may destroy it with the
explosion.  Grenades always fly a fixed distance so practice throwing them to
get the range right.  Don't get to close to the explosion as your own IS can be
damaged.  Each hip mounted grenade rack holds 8 a maximum eight grenades.

f) Rachels Gatling Gun

This is a rapid fire, 6-barrel gatling gun tat fires 40 MM rounds at over 600
rounds per minute. It's a very effective close range weapon but much less so at
longer range.  It can carry a lot of ammo and can be mounted on any shoulder or
hip mount.

g) Wolfpack Rocket Launcher

This holds 12 rockets, which are not as powerful as the grenades, but can be
fired over far greater distances.  They explode either when they hit a target
or they reach their maximum range.  They can be mounted on any shoulder or hip
mount.

h) Charlotte Rail Cannon

This uses electromagnetic pulses to fire 120 MM armour-piercing rounds at great
velocity.  It has no limit to its range, but it fires much slower than the
Gatling gun or rifle.  It is best used as a sniper weapon from behind cover.

i) Slate Heavy Shield

This is not a weapon but it increases your defence.  When you select the shield
you will only take half damage, BUT you cannot use any weapons except your feet
(for stomping on stuff).  The shield can be put on either shoulder mount.

j) Sable Cruise Missile

This is a mighty weapon that can be steered towards the target.  When fired you
will switch to missile view and can use the d-pad to steer it towards the
target.  There is an ammo bar that represents how much fuel the missile has. 
If you run out of fuel before reaching the target it will explode, if not it
will explode on impact with anything you hit.

You can also detonate it at anytime by pressing B.  Only one missile can be
mounted one either shoulder, so use them wisely.


=========================================================================
****************************** 4) ENEMIES *******************************
=========================================================================

a) Glaive Helicopter

These fire bullets and rockets at you, and like to get behind you and attack
you from there.

b) Greave VTOL

These are helicopter like planes and prefer to hover above you and drop bombs
on you from above.

c) Gauntlet Attack Plane

These are fast planes that fly overhead dropping bombs on you.  However if you
complete a mission quickly you may not encounter to many as they take a while
to report to the battlefield.

d) Brassard Light Tank

These are your most common enemy, they usually fire cannon rounds, but can
attack with Rockets of you make them mad.  Stomp on them to save ammo.

e) Tasset Heavy Tank

These are very tough tanks that like to pound you with cannon shots and are
incredible resilient.  You can't stomp on them, but get close up and use the
chain cutter to do some serious harm.

f) Javelin Rocket Launcher

This is a fixed Rocket Launcher unit.  It fires off two rockets at a time in
any directions.  Get up close and stomp on them.

g) Heaume Gun Turret

These are also fixed gun units.  They with pound you with heavy machine gun
fire if you get too close.  They are weak though and can be stomped or blown up
easily.

h) Behemoth Frigates

These are massive heavily armed and armoured frigates. You must use your most
powerful weapons like grenades or the Rail Cannon to take them out (don't waste
rockets though).  They are usually docked and can be easily targeted with
grenades, sometimes they will sail out of grenade range.  If the mission does
not require you take them out in this case, just leave them.  They will attack
you with Cannon shots and Rockets.

i) Enemy Iron Soldiers

These are generally armed with Rocket Launchers, so its better to get in close
to attack them.  Use you fist or chain cutter to inflict serious damage, but
remember to avoid their fists!

TIPS - Gatling guns are great for picking off flying enemies at close range. 
Hide behind skyscrapers and get them when the come round the corner.  VTOL's
are dangerous up close.  Shoot them with the Rail Cannon or Rifle from a safe
range.

- Use cover against Tanks or they will surround you.  Stepping on them is an
effective ammo conserving way of dealing with them.  Take them down at long
range with the Rocket Launcher and up close with the gatling gun.  Against the
Heavy Tank, avoid it until it is in close range then cut it up with the Chain
Cutter.

- You can shoot down rockets with the Gatling Gun if you aim is VERY good,
otherwise try and dodge them.  You can trace them on your radar. Take out
Rocket Launchers at a safe range with the Rail Cannon; they are very dangerous
to you if you get too close.

- Use grenades rather than Rockets to destroy ships as their side armour is
good. Wait until they are close to shore before using grenades, two should be
enough.  It can take about fifteen rockets to destroy a ship.

- Against enemy Iron Soldiers use cover and try and surprise them.  Fire
rockets at them when they are not firing at you.  Grenades work well as does
in-close fighting.  Fist or the Chain Cutter can be the best weapons against
enemy IS units.  Get a punch in then back-off to avoid a retaliatory punch,
then move back and punch again.

=========================================================================
************************ 5) BUILDINGS AND ITEMS *************************
=========================================================================

a) Factory

These buildings often contain repair crates.  They are quite sturdy.

b) Warehouse

These may have crates in them.  Some warehouses re quite sturdy, other fairly
weak.

c) Residential Block

These buildings are not too strong but rarely have any crates in them.  Most of
the population lives in buildings like these.

d) House

Rich corporate officials like to live these.  They are extremely fragile and
never contain crate.  They're fun to step on though...

e) Water Tower

These buildings are fragile structures with no crates inside.

f) Fuel tanks

These buildings are sturdy, but explode when destroyed.  The explosion will
damage nearby buildings and enemies, and may even set off other fuel tanks ion
a chain reaction!  You can be damaged by exploding fuel tanks so be careful. 
If you search the wreckage you may find a repair crate.

g) Skyscrapers

These are the massive buildings were the evil corporate management works.  They
are very sturdy and not worth destroying unless its part of the mission
objective.  If you do you may occasionally find a crate in them.

h) Control Towers

These towers coordinate enemy attacks and are often placed near objectives.

i) Power Plants

These are very, VERY tough to destroy.  But they often contain useful crates.

j) WOOD crates

These contain extra Rockets, Cruise, Missiles or Grenades.  You can replenish
some of your ammo by picking up these crates.

k) STEEL crates

These contain extra ammo for the Assault Rifle, Gatling Gun, or Rail Cannon. 
Pick these up if you are running low on ammo for any of these weapons.

l) REPAIR crates

These are black and yellow striped crates will repair about a quarter of the
total hit damage to your IS when you pick them up.

m) SUPPLY Crates

Some missions require you to collect supplies to aid the resistance.  Be sure
you collect any Supply crates you come across.

n) WEAPON Crates

New IS weapons are usually packed in distinctive crates.  Pick up any weapon
crates you find to equip your IS with weapons for later missions.


=========================================================================
***************** 6) MISSION BREIFINGS AND WALKTHROUGH ******************
=========================================================================

a) THE BUST

Briefing - "The Resistance wants you to destroy a local Iron Fist Warehouse
Complex.  Follow the road out of town to get there.  Grab any supplies you
find."

b) CARE PACKAGE

Briefing - "Iron Fist Enterprises is using massive cargo ships to transport
I.S. Mechs.  Blow up the ships before the I.S. units can deploy."

c) LONDON BRIDGE

Briefing - "Iron Fist Enterprises is using bridges to transport weapons off an
island.  Destroy the centre struts of the bride with grenades to collapse
them."

d) MIDNIGHT RAID

Briefing - "A midnight raid on an enemy supply dump will give the Resistance
supplies that are badly needed.  Four guard towers and several tanks watch the
dump.  Keep a lookout for new weapons too."

e) HUNT THE HUNTER

Briefing - "AN enemy Mech is terrorising a pro-Resistance town.  It is armed
with rockets.  You must find a way to protect yourself from the rockets and
destroy him quickly."

f) WALK IN THE PARK

Briefing - "The Resistance headquarters has come under attack by a battalion of
enemy tanks!  Destroy all the tanks before they destroy the Resistance.  Watch
out for other forces that may be providing cover fire for the tanks."

g) FOX AND HOUND

Briefing - "Rebel agents have discovered that a new Iron Fist weapon is being
transported through the city in several trucks.  Find and destroy all of the
trucks and capture the gun and any supplies you find."

h) PEARL HARBOUR

Briefing - "Four Iron Fist Cargo Ships are currently docked at a lightly
guarded ship yard.  Destroy all four before they can escape."

i) PANDORA'S BOX

Briefing - "The IFC has turned one of their research centres into a fortress. 
Get inside the Fortress and find out what they are building."

j) HORNETS NEST

Briefing - "Iron Fist helicopters are plaguing Resistance forces across the
city.  Find and destroy their airfield and eliminate and helicopters you see"

k) ONE-MAN ARMY

Briefing - "The IFC has constructed a tank factory on the outskirts of a desert
town.  Watch for the power plant and destroy all the nearby buildings to stop
tank production."

l) THE BEST DEFENCE

Briefing - "A Resistance laboratory is trying to develop a long-range missile. 
Iron Fist is sending forces to destroy the lab, however.  Protect the lab at
all costs!"

m) URBAN RENEWAL

Briefing - "Resistance spies have found out that Iron Fist is making a nuclear
bomb somewhere in their southern Industrial Complex.  No one knows what
building it is in, so your job is to level the place - leave no building
standing!"

n) ESCORT SERVICE

Briefing - "Resistance refugees need to be evacuated from a deadly fighting
ground and taken safely out of the city.  You must protect the trucks that are
transporting them.  Stop any enemies that could hurt the convoy of trucks!"

o) RETURN TO SENDER

Briefing - "Iron Fist is blockading a Resistance port with a fleet of warships,
cutting off valuable medical supplies.  Destroy the warships so the Resistance
fleet dock."

p) WAR IS HECK

Briefing - "The Resistance forces have broken through to the Iron Fist core
territories.  Now you must destroy the Iron Fist Command Centre.  Take out all
skyscrapers.  Watch out for enemies.  Good luck!  You will need it..."

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Feel fee to email me about any aspect of this guide, any contributions you
would like to make will be fully credited if used and are more than welcome. 
Please inform me of any errors, typos etc so I can rectify them immediately
My email is falsehead@aol.com

(Blatant plug: check out my games website at www.kungfuhamster.cjb.net for
loads of info on Martial Arts, Beat 'em Ups, Kung Fu Movies and Pokemon!)

Thanks to all at www.gamefaqs.com for being such a laugh, and giving me the
push to actually start contributing my own work.

Special thanks go out to: BillyKane, Magus747, Pat Uhler, totalstuff and
Andy78787, fakeplasticmanatree, bloomer, sashanan, ASchultz, MaxH and
everyone else on the gamefaqs review board.  Love yah all guys!



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***************************** THE END *********************************
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