Cryptark - Destroy all systems (Stasis Fluid sample)

[Chromeo]

How is this even possible? By rushing I got through to destroy the cores on my second try but methodically destroying every system seems impossible with the infinite flow of enemies. In my most recent attempt I died at the door lock control because there were too many constant swarms to key in the access code. I've even tried it once with the nuclear grenades which was great, but still only got halfway through. There are just too many factors working against you, at least that's how it seems to me. The jammer means you can't find your way, but even if you could, the dual repair systems have to be tackled first but are often on the other side of the ship from the factories which means by the time you get around to them there are far too many enemies to deal with. I've only tried it with the Rook but I don't see any other suit being easier. Help?

[CHOO CHOO]

I usually play Weevil, and while it's deffo one of the harder objectives simply by virtue of how much can go wrong, it's by no means impossible.

You do need mean weapons and a lot of ammo, though - so it may not be worth it, financially.

[MechaTails]

The Cryptark level is hard by virtue of....being freakin hard lol

I would invest in Rockets since they tend to OHKO multiple enemies and wreck Systems. Even Dumb Rockets are good because of the high concentration of enemies. A Shield is handy so you can strafe past mobs while behind cover. I like the HMG as the main gun. Tractor Beam for incapacitating and destroying enemies. EMP, Nitro and Remote Nukes are good for obvious reasons.

And remember to quickly destroy Systems as you head towards the Repair Systems, especially the Factories.

I like the PDX suit, though like you I don't think it makes the level any easier, it's just a different way to avoid damage/make the slow powerful weapons more accurate.

Javelins are great for setting traps, but I'm not sure if the AI was tweaked to avoid running into them since they get OHKOd by touching them when embedded in a wall or door.

[Chromeo]

Aaaggh. I guess I'll get it eventually, it's just annoying having to replay the whole campaign each attempt.

Maybe my noob tactics are to blame because I never rock shields or melee weapons, I just try to spray as much lead as possible. I guess if shields let me fly by enemies it's cool but the inbuilt one on the Rook doesn't seem very useful since you can't move.

[Chromeo]

Hey, I finally did it! I think you're right about the PDX, the slow time and 3x5-fix items gives you a huge advantage. On the way I made sure to get every tech cache and my the Cryptark I was equipped with the starting Cycle Rifle, Chaingun, BFG9000 gun (the one that makes a giant pulse ball that shoots electricity over the whole screen), and Nuke Rockets. Even then it was close, I was down to 0 health and no health packs when I got blasted into the corridor right next to a health supply cache. I'm now a huge fan of the PDX, and nuclear weapons in general. Once I blasted through the 2/3rd section and I had all the factories and turrets down almost all of the drones were dead and the rest of the way was easy. The biggest threat was the stomper hazards, I lost half my health packs in one go when I got stuck between a system nuclear detonation and a corridor of them I couldn't see under the explosion.

[CHOO CHOO]

Good job!

IMHO shooting your way through without melee or shields is perfectly viable.

My favourite loadouts all double or quadruple on a good gun and bring as much ammo as I can afford; e.g. 2x Smart Gun + 2x Rail Gun, 2x HMG + Rail Gun + Nukes, or 4x HMG. My only defensive tool is the Weevil's ability to phase through walls.

Shooting threats before they can ever threaten you is a pretty big advantage. Having to expend five thousand rounds in the Cryptark is a fair price to pay for the artifact.

[Justice Potato]

For future reference, 4x Stealth or Weevil both make the level easy.

[Tatourmi]

My first cryptark run was saved by the remote nuclear bomb. Set one up near the first repair, rushed to the second one, destroyed it, pressed the most satisfying down button ever and started cleaning up. You do need decent ammo-efficiency weapons. The medium cannon was a huge help for me, along with the prism shotgun.

[Wuss912]

+ one for the weevil.. thats a great bot for this