This is the perfect strategy game for 1 to 4 players. Play with friends or against the phone. Teams of ants from different colonies, each with their own colours and flag, battle over a variety of different terrains. Each team has access to a variety of weapons including mines, grenades, guns, flame throwers and homing missiles. Each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses. Teams controlled by your phone can have their ability tweaked to improve as you do and can be fought in single battles or entire campaigns for world supremecy. Soldier Ants are clearly the most deadly and well equipped creatures in the insect world!

The Demo version

The demo version of Soldier ants is merely to give you a taste of the game. You are limited to games involving only two teams. You may only play on a single map and you have only three weapons available. You can only play in Battle Mode.

You must purchase the game and install the full version to unlock all the additional features.

Options Screen

Registration

This screen shows the IMEI number of your phone which is required when you purchase the game. In the full version of the game it is where you enter your registration key to register the game and unlock all of its features.

Language

This screen allows you to change the language of the game.

Load Game

Use this option to load a saved game when you are playing in Campaign mode.

Info

Info displays some information about your phone, you will never need to use this screen.

Quit

Quit will exit Soldier Ants. You can also leave the game by closing the flip if your phone has one.

Game Setup

The top left box displays the number of teams in the game. Use the arrows above and below teams to change this value. 2 to 4 teams may take part in any game.

The next box shows the game mode. This is set to Battle intially. To switch between Battle and Campaign mode tap on this box.

On the right hand side in Battle mode the map is shown. You can switch maps using the up and down arrows.

In the centre of the screen the teams are shown. The information shown for each team is: the team colour; an icon showing whether the team is to be controlled by the player or by the phone; the team name; and their flag. To change any of these settings for a team tap on the team and you will be taken to the team setup screen.

The clock icon shows whether the game will have a time limit or not. To switch the time limit on or off just tap the clock.

To start the game tap on Play, or to exit back to the title screen tap on exit.

Team Setup

The top left box shows the team name. To enter your own team name tap on the name and use the keyboard to enter the name you wish to use. The up and down arrows cycle through the predefined teams, this sets the team name and the ants names.
To the right of the name, the team colour is shown. This is the colour of the ants in the game, to change it tap on the colour and select a new colour from the palette which appears.
On the far right is the teams flag. Tap on the flag to change it.

Centre left is a box showing whether the team is to be controlled by the phone or a player. Tap the box to change this setting.
If the team is controlled by the phone, then their ability is shown on the right. Use the arrows to make this opponent easier or harder to beat.
If the team is controlled by a player then the player's name is shown on the right. To change this, tap the name and enter a new name using the keyboard which appears.

Toward the bottom of the screen the ants names are shown. To change any ants name, tap on the name.

Finally, when you are happy with the team. Tap 'Back' to return to the game setup.

Battle Mode

Battle mode is a single battle on the map of your choice. 2 to 4 teams can take part and they take it in turns to fire weapons at each other until only one team is left. The last team left alive wins the game.

Campaign Mode

Campaign mode sees your ants take part in a full scale war. You are presented with a random map made up of around 10-15 territories.

To begin with each team has one territory. A teams territory is marked by its colour and its flag. Unoccupied territories are shown in dark grey.

At the start of each round the list of teams are shown along with the number of territories each team occupies.

Each round every team selects one neighbouring territory to invade. Territories which can be invaded pulse to indicate that they may be selected. When it is a players turn the player must tap on the territory they wish to attack. Their intention is shown with a large yellow arrow. When every team has decided which territory to attack then the battles can commence!

If a team attacks an unoccupied territory which is not under attack from any other team then the territory is taken without a fight. It will change to the team's colour and gain their flag.

If two or more teams attack an unoccupied territory then they must fight over it. The 'Battle' screen is shown which lists the teams to take part in the fight for the territory. Tap this box to continue. At the end of the battle the winning team gains this territory.

If one or more teams invade an occupied territory then they must all fight for it. The 'Battle' screen is shown and the winner will take that territory.

You may choose to skip battles which do not involve a human player.

If a team loses all its territories then they are out of the game.

The game ends when the entire map is occupied by a single team.

Playing The Game

You will be taken to the map the game is to be played on and the game begins.

The first team is introduced showing its name and flag, once this message has passed it is time to make the first move. There is a time limit of 45 seconds for each move. When time is running out the clock will begin to tick and should a player run out of time you will hear a gong and the next team will be introduced.

If the team is controlled by the phone, then you must wait whilst the phone decides what move to make. When it has decided upon its move you can watch the phones action and then the next team will be introduced.

If the team is player controlled then a box will appear prompting you to select your ant. Use the left and right arrows to switch between the ants. The current ant is shown with a large yellow arrow pointing to it. When you are happy with your choice of ant, tap the green tick.

You will then be shown a box titled 'Move Ant'. This box allows you to move your ant around the map and also to select weapons. The top three icons switch mode between movement, normal weapons and explosives.

Moving your ant

You can move your ant by holding the stylus down to the side of the ant. The ant will walk towards the stylus. If his path is blocked he will try to jump to continue on his way. You can also make the ant jump at any point by hitting the jump icons whilst in 'Move Ant' mode. If you need to clear a large obstacle then you can use the jet pack.

Using the jet pack

When in 'Move Ant' mode, hit the Jet Pack icon. The title of the box will change to JetPack.

You should see the yellow arrow icon flashing. This means you must choose which direction to fire the jetpack in. To do this simply tap the stylus where you want to aim towards. You must always aim the jetpack upwards, as it is not designed to bury your ant in the ground! Your aim is shown with a large arrow on screen. The further away from the ant you select, the faster and further he will go. If you are unhappy with your aim then simply tap again to change your aim.

When you are happy with your aim, hit the red button and watch your ant be propelled into the air. When the ant comes to rest you may continue your turn.

If you change your mind and want to cancel the jetpack, then hit the large red cross and you will change back to 'Move Ant' mode.

Using the teleporter

When in 'Move Ant' mode, hit the teleporter icon.

You will see a yellow target icon flashing. This means you need to set the teleporters target position. You may choose any place on the map provided it is not solid, ants do not enjoy being embedded in rocks. Once the target position is set the red button will begin flashing. To teleport your ant tap the red button.

If you change your mind and do not wish to use the teleporter afterall, hit the large red cross and you will return to 'Move Ant' mode.

Normal Weapons

You can select Normal Weapons by tapping the middle icon on the top row of the Move Ant or weapon selection boxes. This mode allows you to choose the sniper rifle, AK47 or flame thrower. To select one of these weapons, simply tap the image of the weapon you wish to use.

You may also move your ant in this mode by holding the stylus down to one side of your ant.

Explosives

You can select Explosive weapons by tapping the right button on the top row of the Move Ant or weapon selection boxes. This mode allows you to choose grenades, RPG, homing missiles, mines, petrol bombs or cluster bombs. To select a weapon simply tap its image.

You may also move your ant in this mode by holding the stylus down to one side of your ant.

Firing Aimed weapons

When you select an aimed weapon the weapon selection box will change. The title bar will contain a description of the weapon and below this there will be a picture of the weapon.

You will see a yellow arrow which will be flashing. This means you need to select the direction to aim in. To do this simply tap the screen in the direction you wish to aim. Your aim will be shown by a large yellow arrow starting from your ant and the yellow arrow in the weapon box will stop flashing. You may change your aim by tapping the screen again.

Once you have aimed your weapon you may fire it by tapping the large red button, which will not be flashing. When you do this the weapon box will disappear and you can watch the damage you have caused.

If you decide you do not want to use the weapon tap the large red cross and you will return to 'Move Ant' mode.

Firing Targetted weapons

There is only one targetted weapon: the homing missle. This weapon will seek out your opponent.

When you select a targetted weapon the weapon selection box will change. The title bar will contain a description of the weapon and below this there will be a picture of the weapon.

You will see a yellow circular target symbol which will be flashing. This means you need to select the weapon's target. To set this simply tap the screen on your target. Once the target is set it will be shown with the target symbol in the playing area.

When the target is set you will see the yellow arrow is now flashing. This means you need to select the direction to aim in. To do this simply tap the screen in the direction you wish to aim. Your aim will be shown by a large yellow arrow starting from your ant and the yellow arrow in the weapon box will stop flashing. You may change your aim by tapping the screen again.

Once you have aimed your weapon you may fire it by tapping the large red button, which will not be flashing. When you do this the weapon box will disappear and you can watch the damage you have caused.

If you decide you do not want to use the weapon, tap the large red cross and you will return to 'Move Ant' mode.

Looking Around

At the start of your turn or when you switch ants the screen will move to show your ant. Often you will need to view the area around the ant without moving the ant around. You can do this in two ways.

To zoom out tap on the magnifying glass on the top left of the screen. This will allow you to see a much larger area around your ant. You can also change the magnification using the jog dial if your phone has one.

To move the view around the map, hold the stylus down at the edge of the screen. This will cause the map to scroll toward the stylus.

Crates

Every few rounds a crate will be dropped randomly into the playing area. There are two types of crate. Crates marked with a red cross will heal your ant, those marked with a green symbol will give you extra weapons. To collect a crate move your ant to it.

The Weapons

	Sniper Rifle	This is deadly accurate and fires perfectly straight towards the point you aim at. It is not the most powerful weapon, but it is hard to miss!
	AK47	This will spray bullets toward the point you aim at. This weapon can do a lot of damage but is tricky to aim and will knock your opponent out of the way.
	Flame thrower	This weapon will shoot a jet of flame in the direction you aim. It is only useful at close range and quite tricky to aim, but can do a lot of damage.
	Grenade	This weapon is thrown toward the point you aim at. The further you aim, the harder it is thrown. It will explode after around five seconds. It is one of the most powerful weapons and can carve large chunks out of the landscape.
	RPG	This weapon is fired toward the point you aim at. It is slightly affected by gravity so you must aim a little higher at distant targets. It is easy to aim and does a good amount of damage. It will carve chunks out of the landscape.
	Homing Missile	This weapon is targetted. It will initially fly in the direction you aim it then after a couple of seconds it will begin to turn toward its target. This is great for shooting around corners although it takes a little practice to master. It does the same damage as the RPG.
	Mine	This weapon is thrown toward the point you aim at. It will rest on the landscape until an ant gets too close to it and will then explode. It does a good amount of damage in quite a small area.
	Petrol Bomb	This weapon is thrown toward the point you aim at. The further away you aim, the harder it is thrown. When it hits the landscape it will shatter in a ball of flame. This is one of the most powerful weapons but only does a good amount of damage if it hits its target precisely. It does most damage when the target is in a corner as this concentrates the flames.
	Cluster Bomb	This weapon fires in the direction you aim it. It will fly for a few seconds before splitting into a number of smaller bombs which fall in a group. Each bomb does a small amount of damage and will punch a small hole in the landscape. It is very hard to aim precisely but very effective against a tight group of enemy ants. If the cluster bomb hits the landscape before splitting it will only do a tiny amount of damage.
	Mango of Doom	This is a special weapon which is only occasionally available after collecting a weapons crate. Mangos are explosive and bouncy and when they go off they split into mango chunks, which are also explosive and bouncy. This all adds up to a very unpredictable but extremely powerful weapon. Use it with care!
	Inflatable Aardvark	This is a special weapon which is only available by collecting a weapons crate. The scrunched up aardvark is thrown toward the enemy and after a few seconds it automatically inflates and begins sucking up any ants close to it. Finally, it explodes knocking a good sized hole in the landscape.
	Snowball	These are only available when it is snowing - how else would the ants get their snow? Snowballs fly reasonably straight but are affected by gravity a little. They do a fair amount of damage to an ant, but do little to the landscape.
	Atomic Carrot	These are only available in ammo crates. Throw the carrot as you would a grenade. When the carrot comes to rest it will begin to emit radiation which will hurt any ants close to it. After a few rounds, or if an ant touches the carrot it will explode.
	Mole	This is quite a poor weapon but is great for cutting through walls. The mole will dig in the direction you aim in. After a few seconds it will explode.
	Revolver	This gun fires a single shot precisely on target. It is only available in Wild West themed levels.
	Time Bomb	Drop this weapon next to an ant and run away! After a few seconds it will explode, so you'd best get moving.
	Air Strike	Use this weapon to drop bombs precisely onto the target position. The bombs cover a wide area, so be careful to keep your own ants out of harms way. This doesn't work too well against a single enemy, but does great damage to a group.
	Bow and Arrow	This weapon is only available on Wild West themed maps. It fires a single arrow in the direction you aim in. It does a good amount of damage if you hit an ant.