Commando: Steel Disaster
Action, Metal Slug rip-off, and Engrish!
By Falx25 <
[email protected]>
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INTRODUCTION
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This guide is NOT a walkthrough. I will give you a few tips, but there is no
replacement for pure reflex, luck, and pattern memorization in this game, as
with other intense action games. This is mostly a disc location guide.
Commando: Steel Disaster is a decent game that has obvious roots in the Metal
Slug series, even down to the obnoxious refusal to let you shoot diagonally.
What it lacks in originality, it makes up for in solid, traditional gameplay
that may be more forgiving in MS with the addition of a life/armor bar (and
Engrish!). Make no mistake, though, this game is still an edge-of-your-
toilet-seat action game which will mop the floor with you more than once.
While not revelatory, this game is a decent way to spend a few hours. More,
if you intend to find all the discs yourself. Or if you just suck =P
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Use Ctrl + F plus the keywords to quickly skip ahead
1. Controls (1ctrl)
2. Ye Olde Arsenal (2arse)
3. General Hints and Tips (3hints)
3. Disc-finding Hints and Tips (4dhints)
4. Disc FAQ (5faq)
5. Disc location guide (6guide)
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CONTROLS [1ctrl]
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The default control scheme is as follows:
D-pad: Move character left, right, duck, aim up
B: Shoot selected weapon
A: Jump
Y: Grenade
L: Switch selected weapons
Down + A: Roll
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YE OLDE ARSENAL [2arse]
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This is a list of all power-ups you can expect in this game and my ramblings
on them.
-Life: Crucial, because when you run out of life, you die. Certain attacks
will only affect your life (IE: flamethrower, stabbings, and getting ran over
by tanks). Be sure you keep an eye out for these!
-Armor: Comes in two varieties: helmets will recover 50%, and jackets will
recover 100%. Handy, but will only block projectiles. Some attacks, like
grenades and bazooka shots, will damage your life even if you have armor on.
Still not a bad pick up.
FIREARMS
Machine gun: A powerful weapon that lets you shoot diagonally! Second best in
my opinion, and a great way to mow down enemies. Use in crowded areas.
Canister: A decent weapon but with very poor range. Try jumping to get a
slightly longer reach. Good power compensates, and this weapon is best used
on tanks/ground canons, but won?t reach most helicopters.
Cocktail: For those going "WTF", I'm sure the makers meant cocktails of the
Molotov kind. Very slow weapon, although the blast will kill all enemies
nearby. Use in areas where there are mostly foot soldiers as these can be
killed en masse, but the cocktail is far too slow for a tank or other heavy
artillery.
Shockwave: The worst power up in my opinion, but still decent. This weapon
has decent range and has OK power, but is absolutely useless against anything
above you. OK against heavy artillery (tanks/canons), but use alternatives if
you can.
Electric: This very decent weapon has limited range, but is very powerful.
Save it for heavy artillery because it will kill most of them before they can
fire a shot.
Rocket: Probably the best weapon all around: unlimited range plus great power.
The weapon of choice for bosses in general. Save it for a pinch and/or the
boss.
GRENADES
Bomb: More of the same. Joy! Good power, good range, good weapon.
Cluster: Worms, anyone? Explodes into small pieces which inflicts damage.
Great weapon, although best saved for crowded rooms since it's not much more
powerful than a regular bomb against heavy artillery.
Hertzian: Huh? Wikipedia it. If you're still confused afterwards, join the
club. The electric explosion created will stay for a few seconds, continuing
to inflict damage. Good on slow moving enemies (IE artillery), but not so
much against foot soldiers.
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GENERAL HINTS AND TIPS [3hints]
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-Roll! A lot! While rolling you are invulnerable, and you recover fairly
quickly, so abuse this move whenever possible.
-Duck! Most enemies on the same level as you will shoot right over your head
if you're crouching, allowing you to maim them at will. From this position
you can also easily roll if you need mobility or if something un-duckable
comes your way.
-Conserve ammo! You have two gun slots, so save the big guns for when you
really need it! Missiles, especially, are great for a pinch and a real boss-
crusher.
-Shoot EVERYTHING! As if you're not doing that already. What I meant is
destroy all destructible background items for possible power-ups and/or discs.
-Beware of off-screen enemies. This applies particularly in vertical stages
where enemies may be above you but can still hurt you. The grenadiers are
especially egregious because they have great aim, can throw one at you before
you even see them, and will do 30/30 damage to your life/armor. Ninjas
teleporting at you from off-screen is also annoying, but more manageable.
-Go slowly! Enemies will follow you, so scroll the screen forward too much
and you may find yourself overwhelmed. Go slowly and kill most enemies before
moving on.
-Use your bombs! Don't forget you have these, especially against bosses, if
you can reach them.
-Don't be afraid to get up close and personal. Most enemies will not hurt to
the touch, and can be taken out by a single close-range attack. A rifle butt
in the face is also the method of choice for taking out ninjas.
-Again, there is no substitution for experience in this game, so expect to
die...quite a bit! I consider myself a decent gamer at least, and it took me
several tries to get past the first stage. Think of it as getting your
money's worth out of a game that only has a handful of stages though. Don't
get (too) frustrated when you die, put on some soothing music, and try again!
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GOLD DIGGING [4dhints]
GENERAL DISCS-FINDING TIPS
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For do-it-yourselfers, here are a few tips on disc locations:
-Shoot up! A lot of discs are hidden above.
-Turn the sound up! Destructible walls sound like other destructible items
like barrels or barricades.
-Here's the kicker: Some discs will only appear with specific weapons! So if
you see a suspicious item that yields nothing when destroyed, try a different
weapon next time.
-Explore everywhere. This one is obvious for branching paths.
-Good luck!
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DISCS, DISCS, DISCS EVERYWHERE! [5faq]
THE DISC FAQ
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WARNING: SECTION MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Q: What are discs for?
A: To extend the life of the game by making you replay stages you've finished,
in some cases many times. But also good for unlocking two secret stages, and
are required for finishing them.
Q: If I find a disc, can I just quit the mission right then and still have it?
A: NO!! You HAVE to finish the stage to keep the discs you found, even if
you've completed the stage.
Q: Okay, I have all of [insert disc color], now what?
A: Make sure you enter the Item menu before starting a stage and choose to
Carry the right set of discs. Then, find the appropriate console, which are
scattered about stages 1-5 to get the item. I am 85% certain that you CAN
quit right after obtaining the item and still have it, but if someone care to
confirm or deny it, that would be great.
Q: Okay, I have the Files. What are they good for?
A: To make use of the Research option in the Item menu. No, seriously, that's
all they're good for.
Q: What's the VIP Card good for?
A: This will activate VIP consoles (make sure you're carrying the VIP Card).
These consoles will give you a life power-up, good for one use per try.
However, as in stage 5, these consoles are inexplicably placed about 10 feet
from another life power-up anyway. Remember, however, that you can save
either power-up and come back later if you need it.
Q: I have the Gas Mask. What is it good for?
A: If you enter stage 6 without one, you'd promptly understand.
Q: A Stone???? WTF??????????????
A: Tell me about it.
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OKAY I GIVE! WHERE THE @#$% ARE THEY? [6guide]
THE COMPLETE (AND HOPEFULLY ACCURATE) DISC GUIDE
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READ FIRST
Here's how I'll break it down. Each time the screen flash, I will consider it
a Scene. Thusly, the motorcycle scene in stage 1 is 1-1. The snowy scene
right afterwards is 1-2, and so on. Each time there is a fight that you can't
avoid, I will call it an AMBUSH, and will use some as a landmark from which to
guide you to the disc. Also, these are mostly listed in the order of
encounter, except for stage 4, which is a bit roundabout.
In many cases, normal bullets will not be sufficient to destroy the item, so
use a powered-up gun. In some cases, a specific weapon MUST be used, and I
will note this. In the other cases, I'm not sure if the weapon is important
or not, so I will simply list what weapon I used in parentheses. If you can't
get the disc using other weapons, be kind enough to drop me a line so I can
let others know. If any of these is unusually vague, let me know by dropping
me a line. Cheers!
********************************** STAGE 1 ***********************************
8 discs total
1-1:
None
1-2:
-There's a parachute that will give you the Canister power-up. Just pass that
is a cliff you have to jump up. Destroy the side of that cliff for RED A1.
-Near the end of the scene, there's a parachute. Destroy it for RED B4.
1-3:
-Right at the start after getting the Machine Gune, destroy the searchlight-
looking thing (Machine Gun) for GOLD6.
-Right before the end after the ambush with ninjas, there's a house. Destroy
the tunnel below the house (Machine Gun) for GREEN1.
1-4:
-Beneath the first set of stairs, there is a pile of sandbags. Destroy it
USING ROCKETS for GOLD7.
-Just a little left of the last disc, there is what looks like a computer
console slightly off the ground (jump and shoot to find it). Destroy it USING
NORMAL BULLETS for RED A5.
-At the bottom of the second set of stairs, destroy the red container for
GOLD9.
-Just before you get to the next set of stairs, shoot up to destroy a section
of pipe (Machine Gun) for RED B1.
-The RED A CONSOLE can be found at the bottom of this scene, beneath the 5th
set of stairs.
********************************** STAGE 2 ***********************************
4 discs total
2-1:
None
2-2:
-After the first set of stone blocks you have to jump over and right above the
Life power-up, shoot up at the light for RED B2.
2-3:
-The GOLD CONSOLE is right at the entrance.
-A little way down the line, you'll see a destructible drum, and directly
above it a box. Don't destroy the drum, but use it to jump up and reach the
box's content which is GOLD1.
-There's a rather conspicuous garbage bin somewhere down the line. Destroy it
(normal bullets) or RED A6.
2-4:
-After the 4 helicopters/grenadiers ambush, there is a horizontal section of
pipe just off the ground (jump and shoot to find it). Destroy it (Rocket) for
RED A2.
********************************** STAGE 3 ***********************************
6 Discs total
Note: There is a section here where the roads seem to run out. Take a closer
look to find a staircase leading downwards. Crawl forward (down and forward)
or roll to go down these, as you would any other down-leading slope.
3-1:
-Just right of where you start, there is a destructible rock formation above,
but you have to get the Cocktail just ahead to destroy it for GOLD4.
-Past the 3-tiers platform with the VIP machine, there's a parachute. Destroy
it for GREEN6.
3-2:
-After the 3 tough guys ambush, go past 2 huts to find 3 oil drums in a row.
Shoot right above them (canister) for RED B5.
3-3:
-Right after the 2 tanks ambush, just before 2 crates side by side, shoot up
(Machine Gun) for RED B3.
3-4:
-After the 2 helicopters ambush, head left to find some platforms. Right
before these platforms is a 3-columns pillar. Shoot up at it (Rocket) for
GREEN2.
-Underneath the staircase, you should find the GREEN CONSOLE.
-After going up the stairs, head right all the way to the end and shoot up at
the ceiling (Machine Gun) for GOLD2.
********************************** STAGE 4 ***********************************
7 Discs total
4-1
-After the ninja/tough guy ambush, there is a wooden crate. Shoot it USING
MACHINE GUN for RED B6.
4-2
-Right after you start, head downward and take the Canister power-up. Use it
to bust open the sewer entrance, but USE MACHINE GUN to shoot at an exposed
section of pipe above, near the end, for BROWN2.
-After jumping across the stream, go straight and bust a buncha barrels
(normal bullets) for RED A4.
-The RED B CONSOLE can be found just below and to the right of the last disc.
-Just to the left of the RED B CONSOLE is another sewer entrance. USE BOMBS
to gain access, and USE MACHINE GUN to destroy the crate for GOLD3.
-After the 2 tanks ambush, take the lowest path and head all the way to the
right. USE BOMBS to gain entry into the sewer, USE MACHINE GUN on the exposed
section of pipe for GOLD5.
-Go back and take the staircases to the uppermost level. You will find a
mailbox; USE NORMAL BULLETS to destroy it for GOLD8.
-Just left of the mailbox, shoot up (Machine Gun) for RED A3.
********************************** STAGE 5 ***********************************
5 Discs total
Note: If you've found everything up to this point, you should have all the
GOLD, RED A, and RED B Discs. Go find their consoles now if you want. The
VIP Card could make your life a little easier in this stage, but is not
necessary.
5-1:
-Destroy the suspicious Aztec-looking block for BROWN3.
-A little later, you will find a tree branch hanging over a cliff. Be careful
not to destroy it (especially if you're using Cocktail). Go past it to obtain
Machine Gun and come back to gun it down USING MACHINE GUN for GREEN4.
5-2:
-Some time after obtaining the Cocktail power-up, you will find a wooden
scaffold with a giant rock next to it. Destroy the rock and what you find
inside USING COCKTAIL for GREEN5.
-USE COCKTAIL on a similar opening some ways above the last disc, fight your
way through the foot soldiers, and shoot up (Cocktail) at some rocks near the
end for BROWN1.
5-3:
-After the first ambush, you should get a choice of going down the elevator or
to the right. There's nothing to the right except the BROWN CONSOLE.
-Find the 2 helicopters and 2 cannon ambush (if you're having trouble with
this ambush then save the Electric you got earlier for it, destroy the 2 helis
right away and whittle the cannons down then finish them off with bombs).
After this you'll get a choice of going down or right. Take the right path
and go up the elevator. Head left first to get the Canister power-up, then
all the way to the right. Shoot up just past the VIP Console USING CANISTER
for GREEN3.
********************************** STAGE 6 ***********************************
3 Discs total
Note: To reveal this stage, get FILE A from the RED A CONSOLE and Research it.
You MUST also get and carry the GAS MASK from the GREEN CONSOLE or else this
will be a very short stage. Remember that you can pause and pick "quit stage"
if you forgot.
6-1:
None
6-2:
-When you get to a break in the platform with a parachute coming down, destroy
the spikes on the bottom (Machine Gun) for BROWN6.
6-3:
-Past the ambush with the kamikaze bomb guys, you'll find a bunch of trees,
one with a Life power-up inside. Shoot up at the branch on the right side of
this tree (Machine Gun) for BROWN5.
6-4:
-Near the end when you're crawling/rolling through the tunnels, find the
grenadier. After dispatching him, shoot the wall to his left USING SHOCKWAVE
for BROWN4.
STAGE 7
0 Disc
Note: To reveal this stage, get FILE B from the RED B CONSOLE and Research it.
To finish the stage, you MUST get the STONE from the BROWN CONSOLE. There is
nothing to find here. Once you finish, complete will automatically be at
100%, and you'll be rewarded with...absolutely nothing. Let me know if you
find some earth-shattering result I may have missed.
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THE END!
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Thanks for reading, and drop me a line at
[email protected] if you find some
mistake or something that needs clarification. Cheers!
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LEGAL SHENANIGANS
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This is made by me and authorized for use at GameFAQs. If you want to
distribute/use parts of the FAQ, just ask me, although in all likelihood you'd
get away with it. But you'd be a jackass.
