Welcome to my adventure - day six

Spondulicks

Welcome to the sixth instalment of my adventure through the virtual cosmos. I'm sure you already know that you can access the previous articles by clicking here. Okay, as I type, I am exploring a new sector of the universe in search of a ch... No, wait!! I shall say no more otherwise it will ruin a thrilling and iconic moment in the storyline. /tease

Embarrassingly, this article is late because of file corruption. That stupidity set me back considerably but you are probably wondering why I didn't use the ship's "Cryonics" feature? I have no sane response other than - Doh!!

Okay, this article concerns wealth because I recently realised my credits were vanishing fast. Not on anything particular, just the basics like food, booze, and fuel. Not wanting to end up penniless, I hit the casinos but that was a disaster (shock). Of course, trading in goods is always satisfactory but slow to turn around a quick profit on your investment.

Regardless, let's have a laugh with these snapshots of my luck in a casino? I have only ever won ONCE!! Sigh...

I was walking through Hatara, minding my own business and up pops a casino!
(That's the building to my (er) left with the yellow doors)

We go inside and it's like being back in Las Vegas.
That's me in the middle, about to be ripped off like a big loser!

This is the result of gambling a credit... another loss.
I love how it says "Nothing goes right" lol

Deathmatch

Casinos are a fun sideline to the game but not what we need. Arenas are a much better way to earn money and are similar to what you have already experienced in space or the wilderness. However, it's a contract bout, without access to your inventory, and fought to the death. Furthermore, only three options are available: Fight, Scare, and Seduce.

Fight - is obviously your attack command (up/down arrows to select target)

Scare - this only works on timid creatures with a poor bravery stat (BRA).

Seduce - is a risky one used to coax the enemy but rarely works.

Winning will result in a hefty payout from the arena boss. You are then invited to fight again against different monsters. However, that decision depends on your physical condition after the fight. Each bout renders damage and fatigue which can be replenished using medkits and plenty of sleep. However, I feel that there is a better way.

Take a look around the city for a hospital close to the arena? The doctor within is a genius who can cure all wounds for a small payment. When you leave, all main stats are completely replenished (sometimes fatigue may take an extra visit if very low). Repeating that loop of arena/hospital/arena/etc/etc is a fantastic way to boost your stash of credits.

That's it for now and I hope this information tidbit is of help? I'll see you soon for the next instalment of Carry On Cruising the Cosmos. Hey, don't leave before checking out my screenshots from the hospital and the arena...

Larger cities have facilities like hospitals, but smaller towns won't.

For the blind, that's the hospital with the green door and two red crosses.

So I went inside and he's charging me 579 credits for a complete makeover.

That's a lot of money early in the game so start trading first and then come back!

No, this is not the same screenshot as above. I paid for the medical visit...
Look at my stats. Everything is near the max compared to earlier.

Right then, seeing as we're healthy let's go and kick some ass!

The arena is that large building with flags on its roof.

When you walk inside, the internal doors are locked.

Your opponent(s) are always imprisoned in the room on the right.

Agreeing to fight, we enter the arena for the familiar duelling.

Note my weapon - that I cannot use. The arena's weaponry is shown top/left.

I won and was rewarded with 2400 credits. Not bad for a first fight.
Notice the new opponents in the room to the right. Fancy another bash?

The ship has a checklist of all the monsters you have fought and beaten in battle.
Is it just me or does the bottom left monster look like a carebear?

One of the "side missions" is getting rich. Job done, and within a short time too!
Ahh, if only real life was the same? Fat chance of that happening lol

Welcome to my adventure - day five

A bit of business

Welcome to the fifth instalment of my adventures through the cosmos (all other articles are here). Today I'll go over the raw basics of trade and supplies. You won't need to hyperspace to any distant planets because the basics can be learnt from the start on Acriel. This may come as a shock but two main things require care. You and your ship!

Cosmos Chronicles had been designed in such a way that makes it dead easy to get into. The early parts are ideal for learning the basic mechanics so experiment with traders, stock up supplies and put fuel in the ship's tank. Only when meeting Grostonton do the adventures begin, thanks to his gift of hyperspace. In the meantime, build credits, trade wisely and it might be a good idea to purchase a better weapon for when you explore a planet's wastelands.

Let's take a look at what you, and your fancy new spaceship, may require...

Floyd Cooper

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Food - As you can imagine, filling our big fat belly is always important. So look around the farmstead as there are plants growing and cute animals grazing. Walk over to any plant and press the <return> key to rip it out of the soil. Now you can chomp on it to see your hunger levels improve a little bit.

Similarly, animals can be killed as there's nothing better than red meat, The wastelands of most planets has something to slaughter. Although our adventurer doesn't seem to bother cooking!!

Towns are often host to a variety of shops and bars. These are great places to immediately enjoy food and drink. Also, traders supply large quantities that we can store in the ship's cargo hold.

Not every planet has towns but that doesn't mean you should leave. Land the Cosmos and go for a walk in the wastelands. Many animals can be found happily going about their business. Some are too quick but slower creatures are perfect food. However, beware of the scary creatures!

Water - It's not whiskey but our ship has a tap with fresh water. You can replenish yourself at any time.

Most planets with towns have a bar offering your favourite tipple (and girls). As with food, shops/traders are worth visiting if you're in immediate need. Otherwise, use the ship itself (see below).

Rest - Catching your Zzz's is as important as eating and drinking. You don't wanna be fatigued or feel dozy during a fight!! Sleeping is free within the safety of your spaceship but some towns have hotels.

Care - Injuries will happen and bandaids aren't free but a trader is more than happy to help.

Cosmos

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Deuterure - basically, this is petrol and can be topped up in towns and on also space stations. Of course, there is always a freebie way using certain planets (hint, hint). Saves spending valuable credits, eh?

Water - Likewise, water levels will need to be maintained. The process works exactly the same as with Deuterure and that even includes a possibility of a free source (same process as above).

Oxygen - Hey, don't choke and watch these levels when out in the darkness of space or poisonous planets.

Hull - Sheilds are great but damage isn't. Maybe you've been in many battles and the scars are showing? There are repair shops which is quite costly but he can return the ship back into fighting condition.

Parts - Most towns have stores to help with replacement parts for the ship's modules.

Inventory - The ship has a huge pantry to store items, including food and module parts.

Cargo - Large volumes of supplies can be sold by traders and stored in the cargo hold. Additionally, nothing is preventing you from using some of the items. This is why early trading is advantageous with food, water, medical supplies. Profits won't be as good as other supplies but these will help to keep you alive.

I hope this guide is helpful? When I began playing, I didn't know about Deuterure. It wasn't until I ran out of the stuff that I realised!! There I was, left in the wilderness of a remote planet - waiting to die! Not exactly a proud moment.

Once you have the spaceship fired up, go and explore the planet of Acriel. Both the apparent "empty" wastelands and busy towns are worth exploring. Once you are ready, jump into the Cosmos and head into space. Journey "south" to the space station, put some fuel in the tank, and see a chap called Grostonton. Now begins your adventure!

Let's view my screenshots from a nearby town I found, Titatown. I kid you not...

When you first jump into the Cosmos, you realise it's not in great condition. Can this be fixed?

As you can see, much is still in French. For example, coque is the ship's hull.

Plus it's love on Deuterure fuel. Perhaps I should figure out how to fix that!!

(Towns and a nearby space station will help early in the game)

If you find the right type of planet, refuelling is free.

Why pay when you can suck it up straight into your fuel tank!

I genuinely didn't notice the town's name when I took this screenshot lol.

(Weirdly, the people have little to say so don't expect any chat or side quests)

The first place I stopped was JD Wetherspoon for a couple of beers!! YEAH :D

Look at my stats on the right, I'm very hungry and thirsty!

Hey, what's that in the back of the bar? Well, the missus will never find out...

For different results, talk to her from an adjacent tile or on top!

Sobered up and went looking for spare parts in this garage.

Garages are great, walk over to the right for more services and repairs.

Ah, the same applied in the electronics store. Repairs ahoy!

(The game is quite vague when it comes to ship parts)

Traders are promising and I sold a load of fish before he shut up shop! (Tip: use spacebar)

Credits are low at the start so don't buy too much until you've more money.