THUMPER INSTRUCTION MANUAL

BASIC CONTROLS

NOTE: all basic gameplay controls are explained via in-game tutorials

NOTE: all basic gameplay controls are explained via in-game tutorials

CONTROL TIPS

  • Use L1/LB or the "R" key to bring up the Quick Restart menu during a level
  • VR ONLY: Hold OPTIONS/START or ESC for 1.5 seconds to recenter your view

GAMEPLAY

NOTE: all gameplay explanations reference default DUALSHOCK 4 controller inputs

  • Tap (X) over the white rectangular thumps to thump
  • Hold (X) and use LEFT STICK to bank left/right and survive turns
  • Hold (X) to slide through red bars without damage
  • Execute looping patterns perfectly to fire the green energy weapon and defeat bosses
  • Boss patterns loop until you defeat them

Jumping

  • Thump while holding UP to jump
  • Hold down (X) while in the air to increase jump distance (you don't need to hold UP)
  • Consecutive jumps allow you to fly and maximize your jump distance

Pounding

  • Press DOWN while in the air to pound
  • Pounding thumps sends out a powerful shockwave
  • From Level 3 on, some bosses have shields that can only be opened by a pound shockwave

Advanced

  • From Level 4 on, switch lanes using the LEFT STICK, or bank into barriers using LEFT STICK + (X) when lanes end
  • From level 5 on, beware of laser sentries that attack if you miss a thump

BASIC SCORING

  • Blue gems = points
  • Thump, keep holding (X), and slide through red bars to earn blue gems
  • Jump into blue rings to earn blue gems
  • Execute perfect turns by holding (X) and pressing LEFT STICK at the last moment for more points

CHECKPOINT BONUSES

When completing each sub-level, you will receive score bonuses based on your performance

  • BLUE GEMS: collect as many as possible to raise your score (see ADVANCED SCORING)
  • PERFECT TURNS: turn with the stick at the last moment to increase your perfect turn bonus
  • NO DAMAGE: this bonus is increased for every level you survive with no damage
  • NO MISSES: this bonus is increased for every level you complete without missing a thump
  • KILLS: pound whenever you see tentacles ahead for bonus points

ADVANCED SCORING

  • Thump perfectly to reach 2X/3X streak multipliers and get more blue gems
  • Checkpoints contain bonus-thumps, hit them to collect extra blue gems
  • If you’re damaged, hitting a bonus-thump regains your shell
  • Pound thumps while in 2X/3X streak to transform upcoming thumps into bonus-thumps
  • Pound bonus-thumps for even more blue gems!
  • Hit bosses with the green weapon on the first loop to create a bonus-thump
  • Pound the green weapon on the first loop and get TWO bonus-thumps
  • Collect perfect sequences of 6+ red bars and/or blue rings and get more blue gems
  • Hitting turns normally stops flight, but if you "perfect turn" during flight you can keep flying through turns

RANKS

When completing each sub-level, you will receive a Rank (C, B, A, or S) based on your accuracy and skill.

To improve your Rank:

  • Hit all thumps
  • Slide into all red bars
  • Jump into all blue rings
  • Avoid taking damage
  • Execute perfect turns
  • Hit bonus-thumps (see ADVANCED SCORING)

PLAY +

After you beat Level 3, you'll unlock "PLAY +" mode. You can play all nine levels again for more challenge.

Here's what's different in PLAY + mode:

  • You'll play as the golden beetle
  • Maximum blue gem multiplier is increased from 3X to 4X
  • Movement speed increases when you reach 3X and then again at 4X
  • You can only regain your lost shell from a bonus-thump if you've reached the 4X multiplier
  • Levels are exactly the same, but some tutorial sections are removed
  • Die once, and it's game over!

In PLAY +, you can also earn the new S+ rank. To get a S+ rank on an sub-level, you'll need to:

  • Hit all thumps
  • Hit all red bars
  • Hit all blue rings
  • Execute all turns perfectly
  • Avoid any damage

To get a S+ for the entire level, you must:

  • Complete the level (not die)
  • Get at least an S or S+ in each sub-level
  • At least 50% of your sub-level ranks must be S+