How to play Subterranea online
- Fly your Cave Ranger: arrow keys
- Fire: Space bar (hold it down for automatic fire)
- Player 2: T/F/G/H to fly, A to fire, in the two-player games
- Start a new game: F12 (the console’s Reset switch)
- Choose a game variation: F11 (the console’s Select switch)
- Save and load your progress: Ctrl + 0–9 saves to a slot, Alt + 0–9 loads it
Gameplay
The caves are ruled by the Hexuplex, which sends Aerobots to stop you. Each tunnel holds a set number of Aerobots, and you must shoot them all before the way down opens. Between tunnels you face other flying foes that chase you in short dogfights. At the bottom of each tunnel is an Electro-Gate: you have to drop through it without touching it or being caught by its flashing pulse. Fail three times and you are sent back to clear the same tunnel again, and this time you score nothing for it.
Be careful with the scenery. Brushing the tunnel walls drains your score for as long as you stay in contact, and touching one of the skulls costs you a Ranger outright, just like a collision with an enemy. Reach the Treasure Crystal and a transit port carries you on to a new, harder set of caverns.
| Target | Points |
|---|---|
| Aerobot | 100 |
| Flying tunnel foe | 25–99 (rises as you progress) |
| Treasure Crystal | 1,000 |
Unusually, extra Rangers do not come from points. You earn one by clearing a tunnel without being hit, and you can hold up to seven in reserve. The Select switch offers four games: Standard or Advanced skill, each for one or two players.
Tips
- Fly clean for extra lives. A hit-free tunnel is the only way to earn a Ranger, so avoiding damage matters more than speed.
- Stay off the walls. Every moment of contact eats into your score.
- Time the gate. Hover above the Electro-Gate, watch the rhythm of the pulse, then drop through between flashes. You only get three attempts.
History
Subterranea is one of the harder Imagic cartridges to find today: collectors rate the North American release as rare. The game was also sold in South America under other labels. The fan site Atari Gaming Headquarters gave it 80%, saying that it may not look very original but keeps pulling you back for one more game.
Similar games to play next
- Defender – the arcade shooter that inspired Subterranea
- Super Cobra – fly a helicopter through narrow, scrolling tunnels
- H.E.R.O. – Activision’s descent through underground mine shafts
- Demon Attack – Imagic’s best-known shooter
- Moonsweeper – another Imagic action game with rescues and pickups