Avara is a true 3D environment. Unlike other “3D” games, Avara allows for the third dimension to be fully realized. In the world of Avara you are able to climb stairs, jump, walk along the top of platforms or walls, or through buildings. You can navigate labyrinthine corridors, or dark landscapes. This environment offers infinite possibilities for level designers and players alike.
Your vehicle in the world of Avara is the Hostile Environment Combat and Transport Operations Remote unit, affectionately known as the H.E.C.T.O.R. The HECTOR is controlled with the keyboard and the mouse. Keyboard commands allow the HECTOR to walk forward or, backward, to turn, to crouch, to jump, and to use a variety of weapons. The head, or “pod”, of the HECTOR is controlled with the mouse. Its movement is completely independent of the body and can sweep in an arc of approximately 100 degrees left and right of center, and vertically approximately 60 degrees both up and down.
For more information, see Chapter 7, The H.E.C.T.O.R.
Challenging Solo Levels
Sure, the HECTOR is the baddest combat vehicle around, but Avara is more than just blasters and missiles. Because of the rich nature of the game, Avara sometimes presents situations where alternative solutions must be found. In the many solo missions, the problem isn’t always solved with grenades. You will need agility and cunning as well.
Each solo missions presents you with a goal to reach. This goal is in the form of a transporter marked with a star. You need to reach this transporter so that you can continue on to the next mission. This is done by manipulating the objects in the mission and opening new pathways for your HECTOR to traverse. Oh yes, you might also have to duke it out with the various enemies on each level.
When playing the solo levels, explore the structures and try different approaches. Sometimes there is more than one way to solve the puzzle.
Competing with Others
Avara also offers the ability to use a networked Macintosh to play against others. Many network levels provide arenas for players to test their cooperative skills, or to fight to the death against each other. Network Avara can be played locally with an AppleTalk network, or over the Internet.
Avara is equipped with network-savvy features. While connected to the Internet, you can easily check to see if other players are on the Internet looking for a game. You can also offer an invitation for others to join your game by registering it with the Avara Tracker. The Avara Tracker is a program that is always running on the Internet server in the Ambrosia home office. It makes finding opponents on the Internet simple, and fast.
Avara has an Internet chat capability that makes communicating with the other players in your game convenient. Avara also indicates where the players are located on the globe. You can even see what your opponent looks like! Player can paste pictures of themselves (or of anything else) into their copy of Avara so that others can see who they are.
Keeping Up with the Ever-Changing World of Avara
Ambrosia is sponsoring an Avara web site at http://www.Avara.com/ where you can find all the latest and greatest news about Avara. The Avara HyperArchive has loads of information designed to help you get the most out of Avara. Avara.com is where the Avara Tracker resides. There is also a Mission Exchange forum where you can download all the best new missions, or upload your own creations! Drop by to see what’s up with Avara!
Although Ambrosia sponsors Avara.com, they don’t maintain it and are not responsible for it’s content. For more infomation on getting in touch with Avara.com, stop by the web site.
