Rex Nebular and the Cosmic Gender Bender 1. About this UHS File 1.1. Who wrote this file? Jason Strautman -- CIS [72337,2611], GEnie J.STRAUTMAN, AOL JStrautman -- wrote this file. This file is copyright 1992 by Jason Strautman and may not be distributed without permission, except to non-commercial BBSs open to the general public. 1.2. Who designed the UHS? Jason Strautman created the original concept of the UHS. Bob Norton -- CIS [70017,1765] -- helped to update the UHS to the 91a format. 1.3. How do I write my own UHS file? Contact Jason Strautman (see the first question for electronic mail addresses) for more information. You will also need the most recent compiler for your computer, and should check to make sure that no one else is working on a similar file. 1.4. What's so special about this file? As you know, REX NEBULAR AND THE COSMIC GENDER BENDER has three different levels of play. Some puzzles change in different levels, and I had to write separate hints for these puzzles. I have used the symbol [E] to denote hints that apply to the easy/novice level, [M] for the Advanced/Difficult hints, and [H] for the Expert/Very Difficult hints. You can think of these symbols as standing for Easy, Medium, and Hard. If hints apply to two levels, I list both of those in brackets (like [E,M]) and use no symbols if the hints apply to all of the levels. 2. Aboard the Ship / First Island 2.1. What should I do in the ship? * Well, you will probably need to get off the ship. * Your main goal should be to go through that hatch. * But you'll need a rebreather to keep you from drowning. * See the next few hints to find out what items you need: * Open the shield access panel and get the shield modulator. * Pick up the binoculars from the poster in the bedroom. * And get the old burger from the fridge. * Get the timer from the table in Engineering. * And the rebreather you need is on the floor in that room. 2.2. How do I get past the alcove? * You'll need to kill the snake-thing. * I'm sure you had something poisonous enough in your ship. * The burger will help you. * The only problem is that it doesn't look appetizing to the snake. * Maybe you've seen something that it would like to eat. * Like one of those dead fish? * Combine the two to poison the creature, and then swim through the cave. 2.3. How do I talk to the first woman in the village? * You need to convince her that you're a real man. * Look at those conversation choices. * Answer the questions as a man would. The answers follow. * Tell her that a torque wrench measures the angular force applied to a bolt. * And then say you don't have any idea how to set a table. 2.4. How do I get past that second woman in the village? * She really hates men -- whatever you want to call them. * The only choice you have is to become a woman. * Have you noticed the "subtitle" of the game -- Cosmic Gender Bender? * Well, you need to find that item to get past the woman. * You will find the Gender Bender later. Use it to turn into a woman. * Then you can get past that native woman. 2.5. How do I get my binoculars back? * You need to find the monkey first. * He's on the screen to the right of the pit. * Hiding in one of the melon trees. * Have you found any weapons that might take care of the monkey? * How about the head-shrinking darts in the witch doctor's hut? * To turn the darts into a weapon, read the next question. * The best way to hurt the monkey is to fire all of the darts on it. * Choose the "Hose Down" option next to the blowgun and use it on the monkey. 2.6. So how do I do what you mentioned in the last question? 2.6.1. [E,M] * The item you need to shoot the darts are near the darts themselves. * How about that blowgun behind the table? * Put the darts in the gun. 2.6.2. [H] * You need something to shoot those darts. * Like something to make a blowgun. * What about the bamboo shoot next to the tree? * Put the darts in the shoot. 2.7. How do I get past the bouncing woman? * She does look hungry, doesn't she? * Why not try giving her something to eat -- and not just nuts and berries? * Something sweet might do the trick. * In fact, the twinkifruits from the hut in the village will do the trick. If you don't know how to get in the hut, read the proper hints in this section. * Giving the fruit to the woman in person wouldn't exactly be advisable. You'll need a more subtle (and more dangerous) way to feed her. * That pit near the woman's hut (to the south) looks like a dangerous place. * [E,M]: Put the twinkifruit on the pit and watch what happens. * [H]: Try creating a trap for the woman. * [H]: Those leaves near the pit look like they might do the trick. * [H]: Put the leaves on the pit and then proceed as mentioned before. 2.8. How do I use the transporter station? * If you look closely, you'll notice that a woman keeps using the transporter. * Why don't you watch what she does? * There's a nice observation post near the woman's hut. * Those binoculars might help you see what she's doing. Another question in this section tells you how to get them back if you don't have them. * Then just climb the ladder and you'll be able to use those binoculars. * Watch that code that the woman puts in and don't forget it. It's *random*! * Then enter the same code that she does and you can hop in. Don't forget to press the little happy face button when you finish. 3. Women's Island 3.1. How do I get out of this cell? * Until you've gone to visit Dr. Slache, you can only wait for the guards to bring you out. While you're waiting, just talk to the thing in the cell next to you. * I hope you were able to sneak something out of the examination room. * Something that could help you get out of your cell. * Through that air duct, perhaps? * Use the scalpel to pry it open. 3.2. Where do I go once I'm out of the cell? * Well, there are guards everywhere around you. * Didn't the thing next to you promise to take care of them if you could free him? * Well, go do it. The security station is the fourth square to the left of Rex's cell. It doesn't have a force field on it. * Did you notice that monitoring device on the desk? * It also gives you a chance to open the force fields on the cells. * Try pressing the red button to do the job. * And then press it again to confirm your choice. * Just sit back and watch what happens to the guards. You're free to roam now. 3.3. How do I get past that scanning security device? * In case you didn't know, that's a gender scanner. * You have to be a woman, at least temporarily, to get through it. * Remember that Gender Bender mentioned in the title of the game? * It's time to go look for it. * Try the room just to the west of the intersection in the hallways. * Step under that giant 8-ball to change yourself into a woman. 3.4. How do I get my stuff back? * Do you remember where the guards put all of it? * It's in a storage locker toward the north end of the building. * You need to get through that hand print reader to open the locker. * One of the guards nearby can give you the hand you need. Literally. * Her arm is laying on the ground. Take it and use it to open the locker. 3.5. How can I buy a drink here? * First of all, I should tell you that it doesn't matter which drink you buy. * You will need money if you expect to get anything here. * Or at least something similar to money. * Like a credit chip? * Did you go near the teleporter on the north end of the island? * The guard there had a credit chip next to her. Take it. * And give that to the bartender to get your drink. 3.6. How can I get into the armory or the storage area? * Well, you need the right security clearance. * Since everyone here is dead, you may just have to take it for yourself. * Did you pay attention to all of those displays on the security monitor? * One of them showed that there was a security chip for the taking. * It's in one of the cells -- number 2. Use the card to open the doors. 3.7. How do I get through the door to the right of the storage area? * This one is pretty easy, too. * There is no way you can do it. 3.8. What is Doc Pyro's tape all about? * In case you didn't know, the tape is clutched in her hand, in the exam room. * There is also a tape player that will help you figure out what's on the tape. * Look in the same room as the storage locker with your stuff. * Now put the tape in the player and listen closely to what it says. * You need to mix those ingredients *exactly* as she mentioned. * Three of the items are all in the lab. The fourth is available in the bar. See "How can I buy a drink here?" in this section for more information. * The order and amount of the ingredients are all random, so I can't help here. * But I can tell you that you need to mix your ingredients in the black kettle. * Now, you'll need somewhere to pour your explosives. * Fortunately for you, they're available near by. * Try the storage room next door. * The charge cases are in one of the cartons. Pour the explosives in them. 3.9. I've done all that I think I can do here. * Well then, now's the time to start looking for new transporter locations. * I also hope you remembered the code to get back to the original island. It's printed on the transporter keypad for you. Restore to get it if needed. * But you can find the codes to additional locations in the bar. * You surely must have noticed that giant arrow pointing to something useful. * There's a list of transporter locations in the repairwoman's pocket. Take it. * Again, the codes are random. Just use whatever you see on that sheet. Some of the sites have gender security systems on them, so you may have to change back to a man to use them. * You should make sure only to use those sites that have been recently fixed. * For now, I recommend going back and taking care of that woman on the first island who kneed you as a man. * Then you can take that roasted chicken and start exploring the other sites. 4. Machopolis 4.1. How do I go through the metal door near the entrance? * Well, do you see that security card slot? * Odds are that you'll need a security clearance card to open the door. * You will find one after you've had a chance to explore Machopolis. * I recommend dealing with the hermit near the video store first. See the hints about the hermit to find out how to get his fake ID. * The ID he gives you isn't great, but it will at least open up one new place. * Try using it at a less secure place like the elevator near the mall. * Go up the elevator and see what you can find there. * There is a real ID that you can take off the dead body. Use that to get in. 4.2. How do I drive the car? * For one thing you need to pass that security scanner in the car. * In case you didn't notice, it checks to see if you're male. * Something on the woman's island will help you become male if you're not. * Try the Gender Bender to turn you back. * The black and white buttons choose your destination, while the green button sends the card there. It doesn't really matter where you go first. 4.3. How do I open the safe in Bruce's place? 4.3.1. [E,M] * Have you looked at the table in the second room of the house? * It has a valuable sheet of paper on it. * In fact, that crumpled note is the combination to the safe. Use it on the safe to open it. 4.3.2. [H] * I hate to tell you, but there's no easy way into that safe. * Have you noticed what building is underneath the apartment? * It's that laboratory with the giant laser. * Wouldn't be nice if you could use that laser to open the safe? * As a matter of fact you can. All you need to do is deflect the beam. * Or should I say REflect? * The compact in the second room will help. * Go down to the lab and turn on the laser. * Start by directing the beam from the lab to some place in the apartment. * Put the compact in the beam and it will be reflected through the ceiling. * All you need is a second mirror to put the beam through the safe. * Have you been inside Abdul's garage yet? * There's another mirror in the toolbox to help you. If you can't get past the dog, see the questions later on in this section. * Now, put that second mirror in the beam and the safe will open. 4.4. How do I get into the garage? [M,H] * That dog is pretty much like any other. Can you think of something that it might want? * How about a bone? * You can find a couple near the bouncing woman's hut on the first island. * You want to make sure that that dog goes a long way. * Down a long way, that is. * Try throwing it over the fence and you'll get rid of the dog. 4.5. How do I keep the dog from coming back? [H] * Well, you can't keep the dog from coming back, but you can get rid of it one more time. * You want to make sure that the dog doesn't go anywhere this time. * Do you notice anything dangerous in the area? * How about the danger zone underneath the car? * Try throwing the bone under the car and then pressing the down button. 4.6. Where can I get the batteries that Herman (the hermit) wants? 4.6.1. All Paths * Have you been inside the video store yet? * Batteries are often found in portable devices. * Like the portable phone. * You can open the handset and you'll find two batteries. 4.6.2. [E] Well, that's it. You have the two batteries you need. 4.6.3. [M] * Have you seen anything else that might require batteries? * How about the penlight from the software store? * Disassemble that and you'll find the other two batteries. 4.6.4. [H] * Have you seen anything else that might require batteries? * How about the penlight from the software store? * Disassemble that and you'll find the other two batteries. * But unfortunately, the batteries aren't charged. Have you ever wondered how the batteries in the phone managed to stay fresh for all that time? * That's because the base of the portable phone has a built-in charger. * Put the batteries in the handset and then put the handset back. * You'll need to wait a while. I recommend hopping in and out of the car. Then you can go back in the store and take your batteries. 4.7. How do I get up the Sledge Mall Elevator? * You'll need some kind of ID to put in that slot. * It doesn't even have to be a real ID. * Try talking to the hermit near the video store. I've covered how to get an ID from him in another hint. 4.8. How can I repair the teleporter near the mall elevator? * This one is simple. * You can't. 4.9. How do I get the boat down? * Do you know where it's attached? * Up on the Williams Bypass. * There's a winch that will let you drop the boat. * If it's locked, you can find a key in the Sandbar. * [M]: You'll find the key on the counter of the bar. * [H]: You'll find the key in the cash register. 5. Machopolis: Going to the Tower 5.1. So how do I get to that tower in the middle of the city? 5.1.1. Read this first! This is probably the most complex puzzle in the game, so I've broken up the hints into several sections. You should start with the first section of these hints, unless you think you've already covered parts of them. 5.1.2. What's the basic idea here? * Have you used your binoculars to look at the tower? * Then you know that the vase you've been looking for can be found there. * So you're trying to get to the tower -- at all costs. * Unfortunately, you can't walk or fly across. * So you'll have to try floating across. * But that means you need to find a way to get the city underwater. * Actually, as you may have noticed, the city is underwater. But the water is held back by that volcano crater. * And it's also being held back by a window on the first level. * It's probably easier to get the water to come through the window than it is to get water through the crater. * Which means your basic goal is simple: flood the city by opening the window. 5.1.3. So how do I take care of that basic goal? * In case you don't remember, that goal is to flood the city. Specifically, you want to get the water through the North Sea Window. * The only way you're going to do that is to blow it up. * Did you find any explosive devices yet? * You surely remember someone who was experimenting with explosives. * Dr. Pyro on the woman's island? * You will need to make explosives on the island. See the hints about the woman's island to see how to do that. * You should have the charge cases filled now. The charge cases can be found in the storage area of that island if you need them. * But you'll also need a way of getting those cases to explode. * Have you been through the locked door near the entrance to Machopolis? If not, there's another set of hints in the previous section that cover getting through the door. * There you can find detonators to attach to the cases. You're almost ready, but I'm sure that you wouldn't want to be near that bomb when it blows up. * Have you seen any timing devices that could help you? * There was one on your ship (in the engineering section) that you should have found. If you don't have it yet -- I hate to say this -- there's no way to get it now without restoring/restarting your game. Sorry. * Put the timer on the charge case and you're ready to set the bomb. But don't do that quite yet, because you still have to find a way out of this place. Read the next set of hints for more information. 5.1.4. How do I get to the tower, then? * Well, you have a general idea about what to do next: Flood the city, that is. See the previous question to figure out how. * Now the only problem is figuring out how to get across the lake you're about to create. * Have you seen anything that might be suited for the job? * There was a boat above that restaurant. If only you could free it ... (See the appropriate question in the previous section for more details.) * Now, the boat is free to float, but unfortunately, it can float away. * So you need something to reel it in. * Did you look in the fishing rod in the restaurant? * Well, there's a fishing line that you can take. * You don't want to carry that line all the way with you around the city, so you had better find an easy way to get it near the boat. Remember that the boat is just below you (when you're on the overview of the city). * There is a hook conveniently placed on the high walkway. * So tie the line to the hook, and then let it drop. * Of course, you'll want to tie the line to the boat, and then you're ready! * Put the time bomb in front of the window -- there's a ledge -- and run to the walkway to wait for your boat. 5.1.5. Why does the game tell me I'm not ready for this puzzle? [E] * There's a chance that you've hit a common bug in the game. I am about to tell you what you need before you can proceed, in the next hint. You may want to get a patch from Microprose if you're afraid of reading on. * You need the polycement, if you haven't already used it somewhere else. You will also need a second bomb, a chicken, a target module, and a shield modulator (you may have also used these last two). And, of course, you need to have done everything mentioned in the preceding hints. If you've done all of this, check with Microprose for the patch, which is available on CIS and AOL and probably many other places. 5.2. How can I get off this ledge? * Well, if you did everything correctly just now, you should have a form of transportation waiting for you. If you don't have it, you need to read the "How do I get to the tower, then?" question under the "So how do I get to that tower in the middle of the city?" subject. * So now you can grab the fishing line and get in the boat. 5.3. How do I get past the sea monster? * He looks hungry. And you certainly don't want to feed yourself to him. * Maybe you have something else to give him. * I hope you got a chicken from the first island you were on. * But the chicken itself isn't going to satisfy the monster. See if you can give it a nasty case of indigestion. * An explosive case of indigestion, maybe? * Put in the second of the bombs (you already made one to blow up the window); just follow the same steps, but only without the timer module. * Now you want to disguise that bomb so the monster will eat it. * Put it in the chicken and give the chicken bomb to the monster. 5.4. How do I get the vase? * Try picking up the vase to see what will happen. * I bet there's a sensor under the vase that lets tells the laser to shoot. * It probably goes off when it detects a change in weight. * So all you need to do is find something that weighs as much as the vase. * Did you see that bottle floating in the water? * By itself, it probably isn't heavy enough, but you can take care of that problem. After all, you have plenty of "weights" around the tower. * Try filling the bottle with some water. * To be exact, fill it halfway. Then use the bottle on the vase. 5.5. Where do I go once I have the vase? * If you've looked around, you probably know there's a ship waiting for you. * One of the transport destinations is a ship launching pad. Go there. The transporter is in the same room as you. 6. Leaving the Planet 6.1. Where do I get the missing parts for the ship? * You probably found one of the parts on your ship under water. * That's the shield modulator. Put it in its slot. * And did you look in the armory on the woman's planet? * You'll find the target module there. Put it in and the ship is almost ready. 6.2. What about the crack in the windshield? * You should have found something to fill in that crack. * Something that's often used to fix cracks. * Do you remember the garage in Machopolis? * The polycement you will need can be found there, if it's not flooded. If it has been flooded, the only choice you have is to restore to before the flood and pick up the cement. 6.3. How do I turn on the controls for pad #1? * Have you looked at that pad? * Then why would you want to use it? * There's no way to activate the controls. 6.4. I think the ship is ready. How do I get out of here? * They say curiosity killed the cat, but in your case, that expression doesn't apply. Try fooling with things in the "airport." * Don't you just wonder what those buttons in the control room do? * Especially the timer button for pad Press it. * Then walk to your ship and back to the control room, and see what you can find. * The remote control that falls from the tree is essential to launching your ship. Don't you remember a "remote" option in the control room? * Now you can use the remote to turn on the anti-gravity controls. Make sure that you have pad #2 turned to remote control operation. * Hop in the shuttle and press the remote control. You're ready to lift off! * Just pull the throttle. I assume no responsibility for that ending.