When you first open the application you are posed with five options.
The "Default Options" page allows you to set three default game options; otherwise when starting a new game you are able to alter the mode and duration.
Since version 2.0 you are given the option to play "The Drug Lord" in three different modes. For each game mode there is a different in game menu (illustrated below).
Normal mode encapulates almost every aspect of the game from version 1.0 with a couple of extra features. For those of you unfamiliar to the game before the current version then it was a simple trading game from day to day. Version 1.0 had a daily random chance in which you could lose or gain items and cash (this was removed but if there is enough demand it will return).
In the normal mode of the game you start with a debt of $1,000 which you must pay back in full within 20 days to survive. You are given a warning at the 10 day mark to pay what you owe back and if unable you will lose 50% of your health. The debt rises by 10% each day so the sooner you can pay it back the better! To pay a debt back earlier you must click the menu button and then click on the finance option.
In all modes there is the option to "Travel" from a number of cities around the United States. Travelling from place to place costs 1 day in time but can be beneficial as different places have different rates for certain items. Travelling from one place where an item has a low value and then travelling to another place where it has a great value can be very beneficial! It may take you a few games before you notice the price trends in certain areas.
Peaceful mode was added as a relaxing (or easy) option to the game. There is no events, debt or alternative game ending options. You play for your set period of time with your set amount of cash purely trading and nothing else.
Peaceful mode does embrace the "Travel" option highlighted in the normal mode.
Combat Mode is probably the hardest game mode to play but offers the most features and challenges. From day to day you will be posed with the chance of being attacked. Attacks come in many different forms and sizes but are based around your worth (combination of your cash and value in items), basically the higher the worth the bigger the attack. To help fend off attacks you can increase your statistics by buying defensive and offensive items from the "Shop".
If you lose health you can easily recover health by visiting the "Hopsital". Be aware that the "Hospital" is NOT cheap so try to have a good balance of defence and offence.
The game offers a variety of features based usually around the chosen game's "Mode".
The interface of the game has changes a small bit since version 1.0. Instead of two seperate list of items containing one for items for sale and the other for items owned, there is now just one list containing all items. The items are listed in alphabetical order with the items sale highlighted in the far right and purchased items to the left of those. All items have corresponding price graphs. Price graphs depict the prices the player has seen over the past 10 days with red for price drops, green for price rises, blue for no change and a yellow indicator for the price an item was purchased at.
The top of the interface shows the status of the current game. It shows the user's day, cash, debt, location and health. In the top right of the stats is the " >> Next Day >> " button which moves the player forward a day.
At the bottom of the interface are the four trading buttons. These buttons allow the user to "Buy Amount", "Buy Max", "Sell Amount" and "Sell Max" of each item selected.
This game has a sense of turns in the form of "Days". There is no time limit to a day but there is a limited amount of actions that can be performed in a single day.
To increment a day in the game you can do one of two things. The first is to press the " >> Next Day >> " button and the alternative is to use the "Travel" facility.
As mentioned above attacks are only available in the "Combat" mode.
When attacked you will be taken to a new screen (shown above). The attack screen depicts the amount of attacking opponents, type of opponent(s), opponent's health, opponent's defence, opponent's attack, player's health, player's attack and player's defence. It it worth while to note having better statistics than your opponent will increase your chance of winning massively!
In an attack there are really only two options, "Fight" or "Flee". If you "Fight" you will do the opponent an amount of damage based around your attack statistic minus their defence statistic. If you feel you cannot win the fight you can attempt to "Flee", if you fail to flee you will take damage and on a successful flee you can lose cash. Be aware that the chance to "Flee" is lowered per opponent, so if there are many opponents it's probably worth trying to fight.
Upon success of a fight you will be rewarded with a set amount of cash based off your opponent type and numbers. Failure to win a fight will result in "Game Over".
The travel facility allows you to move from city to city around the United States. Making use of this can massively improve the amount of money made.
In some cities they pay more for certain items and charge less for others. It is a good idea to learn which cities charge less for an item then finding a corresponding city where the same item sells for more.
The shop facility is only available during the "Combat" mode of the game.
It's purpose is to provide items that increase attack and defence. Item stat contribution scales with the the price of the item e.g. buying one expensive item is cheaper than buying five cheap items but gives the same stats. Be aware items purchased from the shop CANNOT be refunded so buy carefully!
The finances facility is not available in "Peaceful" mode. This faciliaty has two functions.
The first function is the ability to pay back initial debts taken or stated with.
The second being able to take additional debts where and when required. You may choose from five different amounts ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. The larger the debt taken the faster it is required to be paid back. You are only able to take out a loan when you do not owe any money.
The hospital facility is only available in the "Combat" mode of the game. The hospital allows you to recover health after fights or visits from the loan shark.
The price of recovery scales with the player's worth, so try to take as little damage as possible late game as it may get pricey!
The game over screen is shown when you either reach the maximum day cap or run out of health. Once you hit a "Game Over" state you can no longer perform any in game actions.
You are also given the ability to submit your score to both the local score board and the web score board (this requires an internet connection).
To add a bit of a challenge to the game you may want to compete with your friends or the rest of the world. Once a game is completed you can submit your score and you are given the option to submit it locally or to the web. The score board allows you to view both the local scores and a variety of web scores.
The local scores are simple the set of scores in which you aquired the most cash regardless of mode or duration. They can be cleared by using the "Reset Scores" button (this cannot be undone).
This will only display the top 10 scores based on most cash.
Web scores allow you to see the top scoring players from around the world. It shows a maximum of 10 scores per web setting. Please note that the web score boards update HOURLY.
Note : Web scores require an internet connection.
Web settings allow you to filter the web scores by game "Mode" and "Duration". Please note these filters cannot be applied to the local score board.
Changing these settings will cause the web score board to instantly refresh while that board is selected.
Thanks for Downloading the game and we hope you enjoy it!
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For more information please visit : The Drug Lord Free Website
Any issues, questions or suggestions please email them to us at android@n3tw0rk.co.uk!
A big thanks to all those who got in touch with their suggestions and gave their support!