Greystone is a grid-based puzzle/action game in the style of Picture Crossword, Picross or Griddler type puzzles.
Tutorial
The purpose of Greystone is to reveal all of the selectable tiles on the board before time runs out. Please take a moment to read through this tutorial as the game play can seem quite complicated.
Here is a look at the board at the beginning of a level. The numbers surrounding the board represent groups of adjacent selectable tiles in that row or column. Let's take a closer look: you'll see that the first row is designated "5". That means that there is a group of 5 adjacent tiles in that row. Since this board is only 5 tiles wide we know that we can reveal the entire row. We'll do this by pressing the select key on each tile in the row (you can also hold the select key down and drag). For the sake of simplicity we'll do this for all other rows and columns designated 5 as well.
Now that we have done that, let's look at the next row. This one is designated 3 1. This means there is a group of 3 adjacent selectable tiles, followed by a group of 1 adjacent selectable tiles. Since the board is 5 tiles wide, we know that we can reveal the first 3 tiles, skip one, and select the last.
The board will now look like this. Occasionally, when revealing tiles a coin or gem will appear. You can use these to purchase items from the merchant (which appears every 5 levels) to help you along your way. Characters with a higher luck attribute will find coins and gems more often.
Let's suppose that on the row we just completed that we selected the tile that we should have skipped. When you do this a red skull will appear indicating a trap. For every trap which is trigged you will lose time from the meter. The amount of time lost is based on your character's dexterity attribute, the higher it is, the lesser the penalty. Each time a penalty is assessed the next time it will be twice as high as the previous one, until the level is completed, at which point it will go back to its starting level.
Now we'll look at the next row. This is designated 1 3, so you know there is a group of 1 selectable adjacent tile followed by a group of 3 selectable adjacent tiles. For some people it is helpful to mark the non-selectable tiles so that they know and avoid them later on when trying to solve the level. You can do this by pressing the flag key.
As time progresses, enemies will randomly appear on the board, Each enemy has a different behavior which will be discussed Enemies section. When one appears, it is in your best interest to kill it as soon as possible! Do this by pressing the attack key.
Some characters have more attack range than others which will allow them to do damage to an enemy while not standing on the same tile. Defeating monsters will also sometimes give coins and gems.
Now let's complete the rest of the puzzle based on what we've learned so far...
There you go! Now the level is complete and you will advance to the next level. In each new level you'll have a little less time until you get to the next-sized level, so stay quick! Every 5 levels, the board will increase in width and height by 1 tile (up to 12x12). Now you're all ready to play!
Attributes
Each character has 7 associated attributes:
Str. (Strength) - Amount of damage done to enemies when attacking.
Dex. (Dexterity) - The resistance players have against trap damage.
Luck - The chance a player has to recieve a coin or jewel by revealing a tile or killing a monster.
Range - Number of squares away a players attack reaches (the square in which a player is standing counts as 1 square).
Time - Amount of time the player has to complete a level.
Items - Number of items a player can carry.
Item Variety - Number of different items available at the merchant
Monsters
Slime - Travels the screen reseting each tile it touches.
Goblin - Steals the player's coins.
Zombie - Causes time to pass twice as fast as normal.
Gazer - Obscures the numbers in the row and column in which it stands.
Dragon - Breathes fire that will reset the puzzle and will cause a time penalty if the player is hit.
Charmed - A monster that has been turned by a charmed potion, will travel the screen helping you solve the puzzle.
Items
The following items are available at the merchant's store. Different characters will have different sets of items from which to choose.
All-Seeing Eye - Reveals all correct tiles on the screen for a short amount of time.
Fire Ball (Row) - Shoots a fire ball which reveals tiles and kills enemies along the current row.
Fire Ball (Column) - Shoots a fire ball which reveals tiles and kills enemies along the current column.
Fire Ball (Cross) - Shoots a fire ball which reveals tiles and kills enemies along the current row and column.
Holy Hand Grenade - Explodes, killing all monsters and revealing all tiles within a 3 square radius.
Hour Glass - Temporarily stops the level timer.
Sword Of Smiting - Kills all monsters on the board.
Shield of Invincibility - Makes player invincible for 3 incorrect moves.
Charm Potion - Charms all monsters on the board.
Slime Potion - Causes enemies to burst into slime that reveals adjacent tiles.
Ice Potion - Temporarily freezes enemies.
Extra Life - Adds a life.
Controls
Select Key - Selects a tile to reveal.
Flag Key (Column) - Flags a tile as incorrect.
Attack Key - Attacks enemies within range.
Scroll Wheel - Selects items (when applicable).
Wheel Button - Uses selected Item.D-Pad - Moves the cursor.
Note: All keys can be set in the Settings menu...
Screenshots
Support
For additional information, please visit:
www.requiemsoftwarelabs.com
Or send an email to:
support@requiemsoftwarelabs.com