^C^I*                        About KEEN DREAMS                         *

KEEN DREAMS is part of the 10-game "lost collection" written by ID Software for Softdisk Publishing.
     
KEEN DREAMS was written by ID during the interval between the release of their two popular Commander Keen trilogies, The Invasion of the Vorticons and Goodbye, Galaxy.  The evolution of the Keen personality and storytelling method can be clearly seen in this exciting "lost episode."

Join with the young Commander as he ventures into the realm of Tuberia, a place populated by all the vegetables on his plate... killer brocolli, attacking asparagus spears, deadly potato spuds, crazed carrots, frantic french fries,... and the list goes on.  As many who have played KEEN DREAMS have witnessed, this Keen game will charm your socks off, as well as captivate you with its clever puzzles and scenarios.


^C^I*                        Getting started                           *

For most players, starting KEEN DREAMS is as simple as typing the following at the DOS prompt: START followed by the [ENTER] key.

However, if you encounter certain problems in starting the game, you might need to type in one of the following special startup commands to make the game work best with your computer.

TYPE:                 For...
=====                 =====
START /COMP           if using a Speedstar VGA card or other 
                      non-100% compatible SVGA card to fix problem
START /NODR           fixes problem if drive light stays on
START /NOAL           don't detect Ad Lib or Sound Blaster
START /NOSB           don't detect Sound Blaster
START /NOJOYS         don't detect joystick
START /NOMOUSE        don't detect mouse
START /HIDDENCARD     override video card detection if program 
                      is incorrectly setting video mode

For technical support on this program, call 1-318-221-8311.

^C^I*                Summary of how to play KEEN DREAMS                *
     
KEEN DREAMS is played essentially by moving young Commander Keen around in the world in which he finds himself.  The game starts at and often returns to the "big map" of the Land of Tuberia.  As though looking down from above, you will move Keen to the nearest object of interest on the map (usually a city or special location), and by pressing the [CTRL] key will cause him to enter that local area. 

Once inside a local area, you must maneuver Keen past obstacles and puzzles while trying to locate and collect as many useful items as possible.  Eventually, you will discover "the way out" of the local area, which will return you to the big map where you can find new areas to explore.


^C^I*                       Controlling Play                           *

Here's a quick summary chart of the controls you can use.  You can change some of the keyboard controls by pressing [F3] during play or while in the Control Panel.

^1MOVE KEEN AROUND: 
Use the arrow keys or joystick.

^1ENTER A NEW AREA: 
Press the [CTRL] key or joystick Button 1 when Keen is on top of a new area in the big map.

^1JUMP UP: 
To make Keen jump, press the [CTRL] key or joystick Button 1.

^1CLIMB A POLE: 
To shinny up or slide down a pole, stand in front of the pole or jump up to it and use the up or down arrow keys or joystick to climb.

^1THROW: 
To throw a Flower Power or Boobus Bomb, press the [ALT] key or joystick Button 2.

^1JUMP DOWN: 
If you are on a log, beam or other platform, you can jump down from it by pressing the down-arrow plus [CTRL] keys or the joystick and Button 1.

^1DUCK: 
If you aren't on a pole, pressing down will make Keen duck. You can't duck in front of a pole---you'll climb down it!


^C^I*             Customizing KEEN DREAMS to your needs                *

When you enter the game, you will first find yourself in the area known as the Control Panel.  The Control Panel contains several options you can take advantage of to customize the game to fit your playing preferences.

Pressing the [F3]  key at any time during the game will allow you to reconfigure the keyboard commands to your liking.


^C^I*                 Important Game Play Strategy Tips                *

^1Important Tip #1:
Always save your game status before trying risky manuevers or venturing into unknown territory. If you make a mistake or get hurt, you can always return to your last saved position and try again.  Also, once you Exit an area, you cannot re-enter it except by reloading a saved game position in the area.

^1Important Tip #2:
When jumping from one point over to another point, a "running jump" will carry you farther than a "standing jump."  There are a few places in the game where a standing jump will almost, but not quite, get you to the other side of a key location.  Try moving back a couple of steps first, then run toward the edge and jump before falling off.

^1Important Tip #3:
One of your overall play strategies is to collect 12 Boobus Bombs to use against King Boobus Tuber in the last level.  There are more than 12 Boobus Bombs available in the game, so you can pass on a few if they are too hard to get --- but try to get all you can.

^1Important Tip #4:
There are some "hidden" passages in some levels of the game.  You can find most of these places by jumping up and bumping your head into the ceiling above.  If there is a hidden passage or niche, you will appear to jump up inside the solid material above.  Sometimes these hidden passages lead for long distances, during which time you will not be able to actually see Keen... kind of like feeling your way around in the dark.  There are usually valuable objects or interesting places associated with these hidden passages and niches. 

^1Important Tip #5:
Since you will be given an extra Keen (an extra "life") with every 20,000 points you earn, earning points is important.  The very best items to collect for points are Cotton Candy (5,000 points each), Lollipops (2,000 points), and Candy Bars (1,000 points).  Get the other objects too, but pay special attention to these high point value items.
