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CARAVAN STAR KAI
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Thank you for downloading CARAVAN STAR KAI. 

 Overview

A vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up game with a caravan-like theme.
Designed for 2-minute time attack challenges.
Choose from 6 different player ships.

 Player Ships

E5WAY
Type: 5-way shot
Main Weapon: 6 levels
Speed: Normal 3-speed
Special Ability: Can switch shot direction vertically

EWIDE
Type: Wide-range shot
Main Weapon: 3 levels, Option: 4 levels
Speed: Slow 2-speed
Special Ability: Hold down to perform a concentrated attack forward and backward.
Options can release bullets spreading in up to 4 directions.

EPASER
Type: Power-focused shot
Main Weapon: 1 level, Option: 6 levels
Speed: Normal 3-speed
Special Ability: Options can be separated and combined.
Options face the opposite direction of the player ship, and bullets move and synchronize with the ship using Winders.

EFIRE
Type: Flame shot
Main Weapon: 8 levels, Sub: 3 levels, Option: 1 level
Speed: High-speed 5-speed
Special Ability: Releases powerful flames starting from level 6.

EGATLING
Type: High-rate-of-fire
Main Weapon: 8 levels, Option: 8 levels
Speed: Slow 3-speed
Special Ability: Holding the fire button increases option size and blocks enemy bullets, but drastically reduces movement speed.

EHUNTER
Type: Missile
Main Weapon: 6 levels
Speed: Normal 3-speed
Special Ability: Can switch between wide-range and large-spread missiles.

 System Requirements

Supported OS:
Windows 10/11 64-bit

Required Software:
DirectX 9

If you encounter the error "d3dx9_.dll was not found, this application cannot start," you need to install DirectX 9.

DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35

 How to Start

Double-click "CaravanStarKAI" to start the game.

 Controls

Arrow keys: Player movement
Z: Shoot (Confirm/Replay)
X: Special ability (Cancel)
C: Change speed (Toggle between title and ranking screens)
V: Toggle BGM(possible even on the ranking screen).
SPACE: SELECT: Reset (Press twice within 1 second during gameplay)

A: L: Switch ships on the ranking screen (Back)
S: R: Switch ships on the ranking screen (Forward)

ENTER: Toggle between windowed and fullscreen mode
ESC: Various settings and exit game

 Gameplay

Destroy enemies and ground targets within the time limit to aim for a score of 1.5 million points.

 Weapons: Main, sub, and option attacks are powered up depending on the ship.
Sub-attacks perform unique attacks based on the character.
Main, sub, and option weapons can be fired rapidly by holding down the button.

 Speed: Press the speed change button to switch between slow (blue), normal (yellow), and fast (red) speeds.

 Backfire: Using the speed change button allows powerful attacks with a jet effect.

 Shield: A rotating shield around the player ship protects from enemies and bullets once.
Being hit by enemies or bullets without a shield results in a MISS.
The shield is normally red but turns blue during MAX power.

 Combo: Destroying enemies and ground targets accumulates combo points.
When fully accumulated, a combo item appears.
Combo items provide +10,000 points and restore shields.

 Formation Bonus: Destroying all enemies in a chain grants +1,000 points.

 Star Bonus: Destroying hidden star panels grants bonuses (total of 12).
Destroying them consecutively increases points in multiples of two.

 Hidden Bonus: There are two hidden bonuses, +50,000 points and +80,000 points.

 P-Item: Grants +500 points and powers up weapons and options. Becomes a B-Item during MAX power.

 B-Item: Grants +1,000 points, approaches even from a distance if shots aren't fired.

 Power Down: Being attacked by enemies or destroyed reduces power by one level.

 Replay Functionality
Press C key (X button) on the title screen to enter the ranking screen.
Select with up and down, then press Z key (A button) to play a replay.
Cancel during replay with X key (B button).
Switch aggregate results between ships with A/S key (L/R button).
Replays can be played for plays numbered with REPLAY.

 Disclaimer

Please use at your own responsibility.
We assume no responsibility for any issues.

 Bug Reports and Contact

nightstrikers.nss@gmail.com

 BLOG
Target Approaching
http://nightstrikers.blog114.fc2.com/

END OF README