Source: 爱上MAC | Download link: STRAFE: Gold Edition for Mac
STRAFE®: Gold Edition is a Roguelike game that pays tribute to classic 90s first-person shooters, renowned for its fast-paced movement, procedurally generated levels, retro pixel art aesthetic, and high difficulty. This guide will provide a detailed introduction to the core interface, complete control flow, and advanced tips for its Mac version.
I. Core Interface and Workspace Breakdown
After launching the game, the main interface presents a distinctive retro sci-fi style. The main workspace can be divided into the following sections:
- Main Menu Navigation: Located in the center of the screen, using a vertical list, with options including “New Game,” “Continue,” “Store,” “Options,” and “Exit.” The background is a dynamic pixel art scene.
- Heads-Up Display (HUD): The in-game interface is extremely minimalist, focusing on combat information.
- Bottom left corner of the screen: Current weapon icon and ammo count.
- Bottom right corner of the screen: Player health (represented by numbers and a heart icon) and armor value.
- Center of the screen: Crosshair, defaulting to a simple cross.
- Top center of the screen: Important prompt messages (such as acquiring a new weapon or entering a new area) will appear briefly.
Esc key in-game to bring it up; it includes settings such as “Resume,” “Options,” and “Return to Main Menu.” Here you can view the basic control instructions.II. Complete Walkthrough: From Launch to Completion
1. Launching the Game and Main Menu Operations
Double-click the app icon to launch STRAFE. After entering the main menu, use the mouse to click options or use the W/S keys (or arrow keys ↑/↓) to navigate up and down, and use the spacebar or left mouse button to confirm your selection.
2. Starting a New Game
Select “New Game” in the main menu. You will then enter the character selection screen:
- Use the A/D keys or move the mouse left and right to switch between the three drivers (each corresponding to a different starting weapon: rifle, shotgun, or submachine gun).
- Once selected, move the mouse cursor to the “STRAFE” button at the bottom of the screen and click it, or simply press the spacebar to confirm and begin the mission.
3. Core In-Game Controls and Completion
The goal is to fight through the procedurally generated “Blood Zone” levels and ultimately reach and destroy the core of the Icarus starship.
Basic Movement and Combat:
- Movement:
WASD. Combine with mouse look for high-speed running and jumping. - Jump:
Spacebar. Jumping is key to dodging damage and reaching high platforms. - Shoot: Left Mouse Button.
- Weapon Switch: Scroll the mouse wheel or press the
1–3number keys to switch directly to a specific weapon slot. - Interact/Use: When near doors, buttons, or items, an on-screen prompt will appear; press the E key to interact (open doors, pick up weapons, use terminals, etc.).
- Reload:
R key.
Level Progression Flow:
- Explore the randomly generated levels and eliminate all enemies you encounter.
- Find the blue keycard to open the door to the next area (doors usually have a corresponding color marker).
- Find and enter the elevator, press the E key to activate it, and head to the next floor.
- On specific floors (such as the end of every third floor), you will enter a shop area where you can use collected “Bitcoins” to purchase upgrades.
- In the final level, defeat the BOSS and destroy the core to complete one run cycle.
4. Death and Permanent Upgrades
When your character dies, you will return to the main menu. In the “Shop” section, you can use “Millennium Coins” (permanent currency) earned from clearing the game or dying to unlock permanent upgrades, such as starting weapon enhancements and extra health. These upgrades will take effect in all subsequent new games.
III. Advanced Tips for Common Mechanics
- Movement Techniques: Maintaining high-speed movement is key to survival. Try “bunny hopping” (jumping again the instant you land) and using walls to jump to move faster and dodge bullets.
- Weapon Mastery: Each weapon has its own characteristics. For example, shotguns have massive close-range power but short range; the right-click aim mode of rifles is more accurate at long distances. Familiarize yourself with them and switch as needed.
- Environmental Utilization: Red barrels in the game can be shot to explode, dealing massive damage to surrounding enemies. Lure enemies near barrels before shooting them.
- Resource Management: In the shop, prioritize purchasing “Medkits” and “Weapon Upgrades.” “Keys” are very useful when exploring, but not essential—decide based on your current resource situation.
- Speedrun Strategy: For experienced players, you can skip most enemies and head straight for keys and exits to reach the shop and BOSS fight as quickly as possible.
IV. Common Issues and Solutions
Q1: Game crashes on startup or won’t open?
Solution:
1. Make sure your macOS version meets the game’s minimum requirements (usually macOS 10.12 or later).
2. Verify the integrity of the game files (if purchased on a platform such as Steam).
3. Try checking whether you need to grant permission to run it in “System Settings” > “Privacy & Security”.
Q2: Severe stuttering or low frame rate during gameplay?
Solution:
1. In the game’s pause menu, go to “Options” > “Video” and lower the graphics settings, such as turning off “pixel smoothing” or reducing the resolution or shadow quality.
2. Make sure to close other applications that use a large amount of GPU/CPU resources while running the game.
Q3: Key presses don’t respond or don’t match your habits?
Solution: In the game’s main menu or pause menu, select “Options” > “Controls”; on this screen you can remap all keyboard and mouse controls.
Q4: Lost game progress?
Note: STRAFE’s levels are procedurally generated, and a single game run ends upon death. However, permanent upgrades unlocked with “thousand-year coins” are saved automatically. If these permanent upgrades are lost, please check the read/write permissions of the game save file directory (usually located at ~/Library/Application Support/STRAFE/).
