Stage properties[edit]
In order to clear each stage, you must collect every single instance of a particular object that is scattered around the stage. Most of these objects are visible, but some may be hidden beneath blocks which must be bombed in order to be discovered. Each stage of play takes place in a particular time era. The time era advances every four stages. While the look of the terrain, obstacles, and enemies will change, the game play remains consistent throughout the game. In addition to finding bombs in secret bombs depots, there are a couple of other stage features which remain constant throughout the game.
Enemy Panels: These squares are where enemies are recreated. Every time an enemy is defeated, they only remain off the screen for a short period before they respawn from their unique enemy panel. While the enemies are blinking, they cannot harm you. Bombs are able to destroy enemy panels, which will in turn prevent a defeated enemy from every returning to the stage. Some of the panels can be dug to reveal a character, which is used for the riddles in the user manual.
Warps: In order to reach certain sections of the stages, warps must be used. Warps appear in pairs. When you are close enough to one warp such that you can see it's paired warp, the warp will begin to blink, indicating that you can use it to travel from one warp to the other. Just be careful when using the warps, and make sure that the coast is clear on the other side.
Springboards: Sometimes a wall or water will prevent you from reaching another portion of the stage. If a springboard is nearby, you can attempt to use it to leap over the obstacle. To use a springboard, you must stand on it. While the springboard is activated, you must press any of the four directions to indicate which way you would like to leap. Don't always assume that it's safe to leap in all four directions, but it is clear that each leap goes for a 4-tile distance.
Bonus warp stages[edit]
Before you travel from one time era to the next, you must enter a Bonus Stage. In these bonus stages, you will find 36 tiles arranged in a pattern on the floor. You are free to walk up to any tile and dig it up. Under these tiles, you will find one of three things: points, extra lives, and warps. In every stage there are two warp tiles. However, only one warp tile, the O warp tile, is the one which will advance you to the next time period. The other one, the X warp tile, will actually return you to the previous stage and force you to play it through once again. The arrangement of the tiles occurs in 8 predetermined configurations, one of which is chosen at random. The possible configurations are displayed below. Play progresses until one of the warp tiles is discovered.
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Bonus warp stage 1
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Bonus warp stage 2
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Bonus warp stage 3
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Bonus warp stage 4
