
^C{Game Hints for Halloween Hijinx}
^Cby Sean Golden

This month we offer game hints for last month's game, Halloween Hijinx.  There are 30 levels to Halloween Hijinx, but the first five or six are simple to solve.  This file offers specific hints on certain levels, and general hints on level solving.

^C{General Hints}

Each of the "monsters" has a specific move pattern.  If you learn that pattern you can use it to your advantage.  In general all of the monsters have a horizontal and/or vertical "line of sight" method that they use to locate Marie.  Bats, skeletons, ghosts and werewolves will then charge toward you.  If you get out of their line of sight they will "lose" you until you get back horizontally or vertically aligned with them.  If you can dodge behind something in the meantime, you can "lead" them where you want to.  Bats and skeletons will stop moving once they run against something; ghosts will "search" for you.

The pumpkins are your friends.  Learn to use them to block attacks and to trap your enemies.

There is no time limit on the levels.  Take your time, plan your moves, and think ahead!

There IS a solution to every level.  I promise.

You have to be very careful to keep an eye on your key count.  There are two levels that require you to have a key you gained on an earlier level in order to solve them.  

^C{Specific Hints}

{Level 8}
This is the first level that can be really difficult to solve.  There are some key things that you have to do.  First, use the pumpkins to block off the gargoyle in the upper left area, then gather the keys.  DO NOT OPEN THE GATE BETWEEN THE UPPER LEFT AND LOWER LEFT AREAS!!  Go to the upper right area and try to lead the skeletons out to the upper left, ultimately trapping them against the upper left corner of the screen.  Now you can go to the lower right area (with all the pumpkins) and solve that little maze.  Move some of the pumpkins out of the lower right and into the upper right.  The best way to solve the lower left area is to draw the skeletons all the way up into the upper right area, then go dodge the ghosts to get the remaining key and make a run for the next level.

{Level 9}
The key under the row of gargoyles is needed for the next level.  The treasure in the closed off area to the bottom of the screen are traps.  Ignore them.  To solve this level you have to block off the gargoyles using the row of pumpkins.  You will have to dodge the witch and the bats to do this.

{Level 10}
This is a grab and go level.  Dodge the skeletons and bats, open the gate, go for the next level.  Remember, you need the extra key from level 9 to solve this.

{Level 12}
This is the pumpkin maze.  Be careful where you push pumpkins.  Always plan for your next move and don't block yourself out.

{Level 13}
There is a ton of treasure here, if you want to risk freeing the bats to get it.  It can be done.  You can "tunnel" through the treasure and get the keys without even freeing the bats.

{Level 14}
Use a pumpkin to block the middle gargoyle by opening the left or right gate in the middle of the screen.  Push a pumpkin through the other gate at the extreme left or right and use it to block the remaining gargoyles.

{Level 15}
This is a tricky timing thing.  Lead the bat to the left and dodge back around it.  Open the top gate in the bottom right room, duck behind the pumpkin as the witch goes by, dive through that room's top gate, dodge the ghost, etc...

{Level 16}
Just don't go in the top left of this level.  It's not worth it.

{Level 17}
Same as Level 16, but this time ignore the whole area at the top.  Use the pumpkins at the right and left of the screen to block the gargoyles guarding the portal.

{Level 18}
Use the terrain to avoid the witches and the bats.

{Level 19}
If you try to block all of the gargoyles at once you will run out of pumpkins.  Block off one side at a time.  This will free up pumpkins to use on other sides.

{Level 21}
Trap the ghosts in the right or left of the middle of the screen with a pumpkin.  You'll have to time this just right, but it can be done.  Then use pumpkins to block the axe-throwers and trap the witches in the top right and left corners.  Then you have to get the remaining key and dodge the ghosts until you escape.

{Level 22}
Trap the witches at the left and right with spare pumpkins.  Ignore the key at the top right.  Lead the first skeleton out of the top right room, get the key and run like heck.

{Level 23}
Use the pumpkins to block the gargoyles; there are plenty of them.  Then dodge the ghost as you collect all the keys.

{Level 24}
Timing is everything.

{Level 25}
This is an easy level, if you don't open the wrong gate at the wrong time.

{Level 26}
Dodge and run until you make the gate.

{Level 27}
Get the two keys in the middle.  Go up the left side and draw the skeleton back into the "pumpkin maze."  Go back up the left side and dodge the ghost while you get the key.  If you are good you can trap the ghost at this point.  Open the first gate, then go into the top right area and get that key.  Now open the last two gates.  What other ghost?

{Level 28}
Pull pumpkins from the lower left area out and use them to block the gargoyles and the witch.  Eventually you will have to trap the witch with a pumpkin.  I like this level.

{Level 29}
Use the bats to trap the witches.  Lead them down, left, up, right or left and then time it so that the witches are trapped at the top while you grab the keys at the bottom.

{Level 30}
Wow.  You'll have to solve this on your own.